South Carolina

Initiatives
SOUTH CAROLINA – Festus & Barbara Burchfield

Recreational boating has been in the news with the deaths of 5 people on Lake Murray. Boating fatalities are now at 16 for South Carolina, well over the 11 fatalities in 2009, and boating season has just begun.

Media all over the state have publicized the Auxiliary's National Safe Boating Week efforts. In Columbia, the Auxiliary worked with WLTX TV to produce a safe boating message to viewers on Lake Murray. Auxiliary facilities performed on-the-water demonstrations of boats in crossing, overtaking, and head-on situations. Emphasis was placed on wearing USCG approved life jackets, boating safety classes, vessel safety checks, lookouts, BUI, speed, and restricted/limited visibility. The 3 minute segment was aired primetime on May 28th and will be included in a 30 minute boating safety special. This is available online.

For NSBW, Division 12 promoted boating classes and vessel safety check events throughout May. Several boating safety presentations were given to community groups, Sea Scouts, and schools. A turnkey NSBW press release was developed FSO-PA in the state, and it was widely published. NSBW boating safety efforts also included Auxiliary, DNR, Coast Guard and USPS press conference on May 27th at Charleston, and a press event in Myrtle Beach with the Mayor and Auxiliary members.

On April 10th Colonel Taylor, SC DNR & NASBLA, attended a Division 12 meeting. Taylor spoke to the Auxiliary leadership and guests about embracing a partnership for increasing boating classes, VSCs, and working more closely with each other for recreational boating safety. We feel that this message, from the head of DNR to Auxiliary leadership, may have "turned the corner" for some who may not have endorsed this idea in the past. In the meantime, our boating classes are certified for SC DNR boating education cards, and are now posted online with SC DNR - increasing class sizes. We continue to work closely with Colonel Taylor and SC DNR.

On May 19th the Auxiliary attended a Lake Murray Boating Safety meeting at the Columbia legislative meeting rooms. This meeting was attended by SC DNR, the Auxiliary, Lake Murray Association, Lake Murray Watch, and concerned Lake Murray residents. The 12 attendees discussed the role of SC DNR, in boating accidents, BUI, speed limits, and how to improve safety on the lake. SC DNR Col. Taylor gave a compelling report about the 47% DNR budget reduction and how it affects law enforcement in the state, as well as other DNR responsibilities, training, and planning. Taylor encouraged the partnership with the Auxiliary for boating safety classes, vessel safety checks, and mentioned communications between agencies when conducting safety patrols. From April 2010, during Auxiliary safety patrols direct communication with DNR is in place at Lake Marion/Lake Moultrie through the efforts of Flotilla 12-1 and the local DNR representative.

On May 25th we received the SC DNR 2010 Boating Responsibilities Handbook. The handbooks have been delivered to all SC flotillas and four Georgia flotillas that share waterways with SC. The distribution process has been very successful, and DNR is very happy with the process.

We continue to expand our recreational boating advocate list. On May 27th the Auxiliary participated in "Sail Into Summer", a business network event at Lake Murray, making new area contacts.

Despite the number of boating fatalities so far this year, there appears to be little endorsement for mandatory boating law. We feel that the budget cuts, staff reductions (-89 DNR officers), and the current poor economic condition in this area affects any proposed legislation at this time. Everyone is just trying to survive.

South Carolina Auxiliarists Verify ATONs
Auxiliarists are reviewing Lake Murray PATONs and are preparing a comprehensive report for SC DNR. Sector Charleston was contacted about Coast Guard risk management and liability policies for this effort. USCG D7 permitted Auxiliarists to verify ATONs by coming up alongside the buoys. The buoy survey project builds inter-agency cooperation and promotes an increased Auxiliary presence on the lake.

SLO-SC provided several USCG video PSAs to LMSC to obtain boater education television airtime. LMSC sees public education as a vital link to improving boating safety. The Auxiliary is focusing on providing boating safety classes, boating surface patrols, and vessel safety checks.

Resources

 * U.S. Coast Guard District
 * U.S. Coast Guard Sector
 * Local Notice to Mariners
 * U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary District
 * State Boating Agency
 * State Boating Course
 * State Boating Laws from NASBLA
 * State Education Requirements from BoatUS Foundation
 * Boating Courseline from BoatUS Foundation
 * Marine forecasts from the National Weather Service
 * Online navigation charts from NOAA and Google
 * Sea Scout Ships (units) from Sea Scouts BSA