(AP) -- Law enforcement officials want to make sure a deadly year on South Carolina's waterways doesn't get any worse, during the July 4th holiday.
Representatives of the Coast Guard as well as state and local law enforcement meet with reporters in Mount Pleasant on Thursday in an effort to encourage safety on the water during the upcoming weekend.
There have been 18 fatalities from drowning and boating accidents in South Carolina this year, compared to 11 in all of 2009.
Law enforcement agencies are advising boaters they will be patrolling the state's waters in force to keep people safe.
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