Lake Murray, SC (WLTX) -- The boat ramps were already busy on Friday with boaters getting a jump start on the holiday weekend.
However, if your plans include hitting the lakes around the state, law enforcement officials want you to be safe.
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division will again be conducting courtesy safety inspections at some public boat landings.
The Memorial Day holiday weekend is considered the unofficial start of summer and it is one of the busiest weekends of the year on state waters according DNR officials.
DNR boating safety and enforcement officers will perform a quick, but thorough, inspection for items such as required safety equipment and proper boat and motor registration.
Those who are not in compliance with safety regulations or registration requirements will not be ticketed during the complimentary inspections. Boaters will be given an opportunity to correct the problem before they launch their boat.
The Memorial Day weekend courtesy boat inspections correspond to the National Safe Boating Week (May 19-25). The campaign reminds boaters throughout the boating season to practice safe and responsible boating, always wear your life jacket and be alert and aware while on the water.
Last year there were a total of 19 boating fatalities, so far this year we have already had four.
To report boating violations such as reckless operation or an intoxicated boat operator, call the DNR toll-free, 24-hour hotline at 1-800-922-5431.
Courtesy safety inspections at the following locations and times:
- May 26
Alex Harvin - Lake Marion - 10 a.m. to noon - Clarendon County
Billy Dreher Island - Lake Murray - 10 a.m. to noon - Newberry County
Dorn Landing - Lake Thurmond - 10 a.m. to noon - McCormick County
Fishing Creek Lake - Springs Landing - 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. - Lancaster County
Jim Rampey Rec Area - Lake Russell - 10 a.m. to noon - Abbeville County
John P. Limehouse Landing - ICW on Stono River - 10 a.m. to noon - Charleston County
Lake Murray Dam - Lake Murray - 10 a.m. to noon - Lexington County
Lemon Island Landing (Edgar Glenn) - Chechesse River - 10 a.m. to noon - Beaufort County
Low Falls - Lake Marion - 10 a.m. to noon - Calhoun County
Main Ramp - Lake Robinson - 10 a.m. to noon - Greenville County
Pick Hill Landing - Broad River - 10 a.m. to noon - Cherokee County
Richardsons Landing - Lake Moultrie - 10 a.m. to noon - Berkeley County
Riverfork Public Landing - Lake Greenwood - 10 a.m. to noon - Laurens County
South Cove Park - Lake Keowee - 10 a.m. to noon - Oconee County
The New Peach Tree Landing - ICW at Socastee - 10 a.m. to noon - Horry County
- May 27
Alex Harvin - Lake Marion - 10 a.m. to noon - Clarendon County
Billy Dreher Island - Lake Murray - 10 a.m. to noon - Newberry County
Garris Landing (Morres) - ICW on South End of Bulls Bay - 10 a.m. to noon - Charleston County
Greenwood State Park - Lake Greenwood - 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. - Greenwood County
Lake Murray Dam - Lake Murray - 10 a.m. to noon - Lexington County
Lake Wateree - Clearwater Cove Landing - 10 a.m. to noon - Kershaw County
Lake Wylie - Ebenezer Landing - 10 a.m. to noon - York County
Little Pee Dee River - Galivants Ferry Landing - 10 a.m. to noon - Marion County
Low Falls - Lake Marion - 10 a.m. to noon - Calhoun County
Main Ramp - Lake Bowen - 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. - Spartanburg County
Murrells Inlet Landing - Murrells Inlet/Atlantic Ocean - 10 a.m. to noon - Georgetown County
Pinckney Island Landing (C. C. Haigh, Jr.) - Mackay Creek - 10 a.m. to noon - Beaufort County
River Forks Boat Ramp - Lake Hartwell - 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. - Anderson County
Wappoo Cut Landing - ICW south of Charleston Harbor - 10 a.m. to noon - Charleston County
- May 28
Gap Hill Landing - Lake Keowee - 10 a.m. to noon - Pickens County
Parksville Boat Landing - Lake Thurmond - 10 a.m. to noon - McCormick County