Safety is the Watchword for Lake Hartwell Revelers this July 4 Holiday

Safety on the water is the main message Georgia and South Carolina DNR agents and rangers are preaching this July 4th holiday.

DNR law enforcement officers from both states, along with US Army Corps of Engineer Rangers and members of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary held a press conference Tuesday at Big Oaks Recreation Area in Hartwell.

The mulitple agencies all said the same thing: wear your life jackets while on the water and have a designated driver if you plan to drink alcohol while boating.

Craig Fulghum is  one of  the Georgia DNR law enforcement officers for Hartwell Lake. He says the consequences for being caught boating under the influence are the same in both states.

“When it comes to Georgia and South Carolina our main concern is safety and making sure that

everybody who comes to this lake goes home,” he said. “There’s a zero tolerance when it comes to operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Our job is to take them off the water before they do any home to anyone else or themselves.”

Corporal Minyard is an Oconee County Sheriff’s deputy who works their marine unit.

Minyard said South Carolina is seeing more boating traffic on that side of Lake Hartwell as well as on Lakes Keowee and Jocassee, and he says South Carolina BUI laws will be strictly enforced.

“Boating under the influence will be strictly enforced,” he said. “There’s a zero tolerance for being under the influence and operating a vessel or pwc on any South Carolina waterways.”

In Georgia, the fine for boating under the influence is $1,000 plus court costs and an immediate trip to jail.  In South Carolina, it’s also a trip to jail, a $470 fine, a six-month suspension of your boating license and you must also take a boating safety class.

And again, both Georgia and South Carolina require the use of life jackets when on the water. If you find you don’t have enough life jackets for your boat, there are multiple lending stations at campgrounds around Hartwell Lake, according to Minyard.

“On the Oconee County side, at Fall Creek Landing, Keowee Town Landing, South Cove County Park and High Falls County Park do have station loaner boards for life jackets,” Minyard said. “You’re more than welcome to use those. Just make sure you return them at the end of your day or weekend.”

On the Georgia side, life jacke loaner stations are located at most campgrounds and at the Tugaloo Mega Ramp at Tugalo State Park.