The Plum Line - Savannah Lakes Village

General Interest
MAP OF McCORMICK COUNTY NOW AVAILABLE – The residents and tourists of McCormick County are finding our full
color detailed map a tremendous help in finding their way to businesses to fulfill their needs. The recreational facilities
shown include trails for hiking, biking and canoeing. The map is for sale at the marina, the McCormick Chamber of
Commerce and at many merchants throughout the county.
FISHING LICENSES - You can now order your license by phone by calling: 1(866)714-3611 or by Internet at
http://www.dnr.sc.gov/licensing.html . You will have immediate use of your license. Just have your credit card, driver’s
license and a pencil and paper ready when you call. Stop by the store to see pictures of the big fish caught from
Thurmond Lake, or bring us a picture of your big fish to add to our wall of fame.
For fishing rules in SC: http://www.dnr.sc.gov/regs/freshwaterregs.html
SPEED LIMITS – The posted speed limit on Yacht Club Drive is 15 mph. All other roads have a posted speed limit of 5
mph. Remember, you are at the lake, slow down and enjoy it! Think of golf carts as our “pace cars”. If you feel the need to
pass a golf cart, you are probably going too fast. The life you save may be that of a child.
GOLF CARTS – Drivers must have a valid driver’s license and liability insurance – even for golf carts. NO CHILDREN
SHOULD BE DRIVING GOLF CARTS AT PBYC. If you wish to drive your golf cart off the PBYC property, you must have a
sticker from the DMV on Airport Road in McCormick or be subject to a fine if caught. You must provide proof of insurance, a
copy of the driver’s licenses of all authorized drivers of the golf cart and pay a $5 fee.
PWC’S AND KIDS DRIVING WATER CRAFT:
Originally printed in the Plum Line 4/1/99 – Reprinted to refresh your memory of the new laws created to keep you safe.
PWC RULES - In 1996, South Carolina passed legislation adding a few rules that affect PWC's (personal water craft, a.k.a. jet skis). In both Georgia and South
Carolina you must wear a US Coast Guard approved life jacket when riding a PWC. You may not exceed 5 mph (idle speed) whenever: 1) you are within 200’
(100’ in GA) of a shoreline; 2) or within 50’ in SC (or 100’ in Georgia) of a person in the water, a dock or a moored or anchored vessel; and 3) you may not jump
the wake of a boat within 200’ in SC (100’ in GA) of the boat creating the wake. In both Georgia and SC you must be over 16 years of age to drive a PWC
without being accompanied by an adult unless: 1) If you are under 16 years of age and have successfully completed a Department of Natural Resources boating
course; or 2) you have a sober adult (over 18 and sober) on the PWC with you. You may operate PWCs only between sunrise and sunset. The PWC must be a
self-circling or must have a lanyard-type engine cutoff switch. In SC you may pull a skier if you have a wide-angle mirror or if you have an observer on board,
riding backwards to watch the skier. BE SURE TO CARRY A COPY (not the original) OF YOUR PHOTO ID WHEN DRIVING A BOAT OR PWC.
In addition to the SC PWC rules above, in 1998 GEORGIA added the following: 1) Children between the ages of 12 and 15 may drive a PWC but only if the
child is in sight of (and within 400 yards of) an adult; or the child is accompanied by a sober adult; or the child has completed a DNR approved PWC course and
has the license (or a good copy) in their possession; 2) you may not pull a skier unless you have a three passenger jet ski and you have an observer riding
backward to watch the skier; 3) you may only qualify for a PWC permit if you are between the ages of 12 and 15. No one under the age of 12 may operate a
PWC; and 4) it is illegal for any boat or PWC to buzz any other boats or PWCs. That means, you must not exceed idle speed whenever you go within 100’ of any
wharf, dock, pier, piling, bridge structure or abutment, person in the water, or shoreline adjacent to a residence, public beach, swimming area, marina, restaurant
or other public use area. And, you may not go within 100’ of another boat unless you are overtaking or meeting the other vessel in compliance with the rules of
the road for boat operation.
KIDS DRIVING BOATS IN SC – In SC, Boat Operators under age 16 must complete a boating course approved by the SC Department of Natural Resources to
operate a PWC or boat with a 15 horsepower motor, or greater, unless accompanied by an adult aged 18 years or older. http://www.dnr.sc.gov/education/boated
KIDS DRIVING BOATS IN GA – In GA, Boat Operators under age 16 must: 1) complete a boating course approved by the GA Department of Natural
Resources; OR 2) be accompanied by a sober adult age 18 or older; OR 3) be under the direct supervision (within 400 yards and in line of sight) of a sober adult
age 18 or older. However, if the child is 12 or 13 years old, he/she may only operate a boat less than 16’ in length if it has a motor 30 hp or less, or a PWC if
he/she meets conditions 1, 2, or 3 above. Children under 12 years of age may operate a boat (but not a PWC) less than 16’ with a motor not larger than 30 hp,
but only if accompanied by a sober adult age 18 or older. Anyone 16 or over may drive any boat or PWC with proper identification.
http://boat-ed.com/ga/handbook/whomayoperatepwc.htm
PWC LICENSURE FOR KIDS AND SAFETY CLASSES - The US Coast Guard Auxiliary may hold a Jet Ski safety clinic in your area. If finished
successfully, a certificate will be issued which will allow the child to obtain a license from the DMV to drive a Jet Ski in public waters without an adult being
on the Jet Ski with him. The fine for driving a Jet Ski without a valid driver’s license or without this special Jet Ski license is significant. You may call 1 (800)
277-4301 or go on line for Boat South Carolina: Official Online Boat Safety Course with Online Boating Tests: http://www.boat-ed.com/sc/index.htm. There
is a free pretest and the course is free. The test costs $29.50 paid after you pass, but before you get your license. You must score 80% or better to pass.
For your protection, please be sure your guests read and understand this page and sign it before
allowing them to drive your jet ski _______________ ________________ _________________
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