South Carolina Boating Deaths On Rise

Boating deaths in South Carolina this year have already surpassed the total in 2009, and safety officials are worried with the Memorial Day weekend approaching.

The Sun News of Myrtle Beach reported that, as of last Friday, 15 people had died in boating accidents around the state this year.

There were 11 boating deaths in all of 2009.

Memorial Day is traditionally the first big boating weekend of the year.,

Lt. Robert McCullough with the Department of Natural Resources said one reason for the increase is that more people are in boats on the same amount of water.

He says despite budget cuts, DNR law enforcement agents will be out in force this weekend patrolling the state’s waterways.