LAKE MURRAY, SC (WIS) - For some people, summertime on the lake is the perfect way to relax, but without the right equipment and paper work, things could get dicey.
The Department of Natural Resources officers are vigilant about patrolling on Lake Murray. They say the most common violation is reckless boating which includes boating under the influence, as well as, not having enough life jackets on board.
"We're looking for violations such as negligent operations, said Sgt. Ken Simmons with the Department of Natural Resources. "We're on constant lookout for boating under the influence anyone who's intoxicated."
If you plan on cruising around Lake Murray, don't be surprised if you see a DNR boat on patrol.
"We do random safety inspections most of the time and look for a violation to sop a boat for whether it appears to be overloaded, said Simmons. "We want to make sure there's enough life jackets on it. May be an expired registration or maybe doing something wrong."
Simmons says boating under the influence is a very serious offense he is aggressively tackling, but most boaters follow the rules.
"We've made BUI's on every part of the lake, every part of it," said Simmons.
If you're caught on the water with an open container, drivers can go to jail.
"We're dealing directly with the operator and certain clues we'll gather from slurred speech or red flushed face, smell of alcohol," said Simmons. "If we think they've been drinking too much, we'll have them board our boat and we'll put them through some field sobriety tests."
Tour guide and fishing guide, Ronnie Faircloth says it can be frustrating on the lake when it's busy and crowded.
"A lot of people are drinking and careless," said Faircloth. "I had a jet ski come right across my bow a little while ago. They're no brakes on these; you just have to throttle back. It's not like a car where you can mash your brakes and stop and people need to realize that."
Sgt. Simmons says following the boating safety rules ensures everyone can have fun and stay safe.
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