Is your boat legal? Free inspections Saturday

Local boaters, expect heavy law enforcement presence this weekend on area waters.

Lt. Michael Paul Thomas with the S.C. Department of Natural Resources wants new and seasoned boaters to be aware that law enforcement officers will be on duty this weekend during Beaufort Water Festival as well as Saturday’s Beaufort sandbar concert.

“We do this every year during Beaufort Water Festival when boats are more of a presence in the river. We’ll still have boats on Hilton Head but our focus will be boating safety during the (Beaufort sandbar) concert,” Thomas said.

“Typically if there is going to be a big gathering, we’ll be patrolling.”

Part of what law enforcement officers will be watching for is to make sure boaters aren’t getting in the water with no repercussions if they aren’t legal.

Officers will be at The Sands boat landing on Saturday offering free boat inspections to make sure boats have the equipment required by law — such as life jackets approved by the U.S. Coast Guard, a fire extinguisher and registration documents.

This story was originally published July 14, 2017 at 10:11 AM with the headline "Is your boat legal? Free inspections Saturday."