Chapin, SC (WLTX) - Many people will spend their Memorial Day weekend on the lake and several will celebrate with alcohol. But boaters should keep in mind that by this time last year, four people had died on Lake Murray in alcohol related boating accidents.
While Lake Murray was a peaceful place for wildlife Wednesday, come Saturday, it will be filled with boaters.
"We want people to come out to Lake Murray and use our waterways," said Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott, "and have fun but we want them to be safe."
The Richland County Sheriff's Department has teamed up with the Department of Natural Resources, Budweiser of Columbia, and the Lake Murray Association to spread a simple message.
"You can not drink alcohol and operate a boat," said Lott. "The guys behind me in the boats, they will write you a ticket and arrest you for DUI on the lake just like they will if you're driving a car on the roads."
Their goal is not to be a buzz kill. They just want 'fun' and 'safety' to go hand in hand.
"We want everybody to come out here have a good time and recreate," explained Lt. Robert McCollough of DNR, "but we want them all to get home."
On Wednesday the agencies proved just how deadly drunk boating can be.
"We're gonna do a demonstration that I don't think has ever been done before," said Lott.
Using something called beer goggles, News19's Lauren Talarico had the chance to get behind the wheel of a boat impaired. The goggles are meant to simulate the vision of someone who has had too much to drink.
"I feel like we're going 100 miles per hour!" Lauren said.
She had to navigate an obstacle course, dogging buoys.
"Oh I missed it! Oh no!"
She wasn't very good and her judgment was way off. At the fastest point the boat was only going 20mph.
"I honestly felt like we were going 100 milers per hour," explained Lauren.
"The lake is like an interstate but there are no lines. No speed limits," said McCollough
If alcohol is part of your holiday plans find a designated driver. The penalties for drunk boating are the same as DUI.
Officials also want to remind the public that it is the law to have one life jacket per person on every boat. Law enforcement say children should wear them at all times.