Going boating this weekend on Lake Wylie? Keep your distance. Someone’s watching.
Lake Wylie was quiet and cool Friday morning with few fishermen casting their lines.
That all may change Saturday and Sunday as the weather warms up with a predicted high of 77 on Saturday and 86 on Sunday.
As the temperature begins to soar and more boaters enter the water, The York County Sheriff’s Office lake enforcement unit will be patrolling for regular boating violations and safety. They’ll also make sure lake-lovers obey social distancing orders by SC. Gov. Henry McMaster, due to COVID-19 concerns.
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources also will patrol the lake.
York County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Brent Mabry said during the two 12-hour weekend shifts, York County lake enforcement officers will make sure boaters are not gathered on sandbars, islands or connecting rafts.
“I’m sure there will be people trying it,” Mabry said.
They’re not looking specifically for multiple passengers on a boat, but boaters should limit the number of people on the vessel to three, he said.
If they spot multiple people on a boat, lake enforcement officers may stop them to make sure people on board live in the same household and are following the governor’s order.
“We would like for people to practice social distancing while on board their boat,” Mabry said. “Obviously if you’ve got small children on board you want to keep your hands close to them.”
Mabry added that fishing boats should try to keep a safe distance.
He also wants boaters to “do everything you’ve been doing at home, but do it on the water,” such as hand washing and using hand sanitizer.
