The cancellation of the safety zone is good news, but with the  Socastee Bridge still inoperable, the Waterway is still closed to through traffic from Georgetown to Myrtle Beach, SC!

Boating Safety Zone for the Waccamaw and Great Pee Dee Canceled 

On Saturday (October 6, 2018), the U.S. Coast Guard and the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) announced a new update canceling previously issued emergency “Safety Zone” orders limiting boating traffic on waterways in flood-affected areas of the South Carolina coast.

USCG Marine Safety Information Bulletin # 40-18 Update-3 (see attached image) cancels the previously issued temporary safety zone(s) on all waters of the Waccamaw River along the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway from Winyah Bay to the Little River Swing Bringe, all waters of the Sampit River, all waters of the Great Pee Dee River from Winyah Bay northward to the Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge, and all waters of the Black River from its junction with the Great Pee Dee northward to U. S. Highway 701 Bridge.  

MSIB 38-18 regarding the Socastee Swing Bridge closure is still in effect until further notice.

However, it is important to note that there are still numerous areas of abnormally high water, as well as extensive damage to docks and homes, throughout the flooded areas of the Pee Dee and Upper Coast. It is imperative that boaters in these areas keep a good lookout and maintain a safe speed that does not create wake that will do further damage in areas where high waters persist. The SCDNR would ask ALL boaters in these areas to please slow down and have extra concern for the people along these waterways who are still dealing with high water and property damage.  REMEMBER: Boaters are responsible for the wake cast by their vessel (and any damage caused by that wake) at ALL times.