casting OFF: maritime news

Three die in boating accident

An infant remained in critical condition in late February as authorities continued to investigate what caused a Georgetown County boating accident that injured the child and killed three others in the Waccamaw River.

Six people were aboard a 15-foot fiberglass boat Feb. 18 when it took on water and capsized just 15 feet from the shores of Sandy Island, a rustic enclave accessible only by boat.

An island resident plucked 11-month-old Zyair Smalls from the cold water, and he was rushed to Medical University Hospital in Charleston. His mother, 19-year-old Shaquatia Robinson, died in the river, as did her mother, 47-year-old Lou Ann Robinson. A cousin, Rishard Pyatt, 18, perished as well.

The Georgetown Times reported that autopsies showed all three died from drowning. The Georgetown County Sheriff's Office said the state Department of Natural Resources is investigating the cause of the accident.

Pilots seek speed exemption

Charleston harbor pilots want the state to exempt them from a federal rule requiring they slow down to protect the right whale.

The Charleston Branch (Harbor) Pilots Association is maneuvering through state law to have its pilot boats recognized as a law enforcement component of port homeland security. Boats that perform law enforcement or search-and-rescue work get a waiver from a hotly contested National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration rule that says ships longer than 65 feet must slow to 11½ mph within 23 miles of the Eastern coastline along the migration route of the endangered right whale, which includes the South Carolina coast in the winter.

Federal officials, however, say they have already made it clear that the harbor pilots must slow down. Charles Green, NOAA Fisheries attorney, said the agency expects the harbor pilots to comply, except when it's not safe because of sea conditions - a narrow exemption that would be decided case by case, he said. The maximum penalty for a violation is $8,000.

Grouper study backs anglers

A recent study of the grouper fishery in the Gulf of Mexico suggests that recreational angling outweighs commercial fishing in terms of economic impact.

The study was funded by the Coastal Conservation Association, a group that represents recreational anglers.

Among other findings, the Gulf analysis found that recreational gag and red grouper fishing supports 2,014 jobs, while commercial gag and red grouper fishing supports only 1,310.

Though the study focused on the Gulf of Mexico fishery, CCA South Carolina Executive Director Scott Whitaker said the findings also apply to grouper fishing along the East Coast, where battles over allowable grouper catch are heating up.

"Given the state of the economy and the robust impact that recreational fishing has on the South Atlantic region, consideration of the optimal allocation of the resource is a must," Whitaker said.

Santee region gets 'riverkeeper'

Waterkeeper Alliance, an international environmental advocacy organization, recently appointed a full-time advocate for the rivers and lakes between Columbia, Moncks Corner and Georgetown.

Mark Bruce, the newly appointed "riverkeeper," will work to protect and preserve the water quality in that region.

Waterkeeper Alliance said Bruce will be a full-time advocate for the best interests of the Santee River, Lake Marion, Lake Moultrie and all of the constituent tributaries that make up these bodies of water.

The objective, Bruce said in a press release, "is to provide strong advocacy that will result in an improved quality of life for all citizens who frequent the lakes and river for recreation, those who live on and around the lakes and river and for those who simply value the lakes and rivers continued well being."

362 gators taken in first season

South Carolina alligator hunters reported taking 362 alligators from 13 different counties during the 2008 public alligator hunting season.

The Middle and Southern Coastal hunt units reported the most alligators taken with 121 and 94, respectively. However, the biggest alligators came from the Midlands unit, where 45 alligators 10 feet long or larger were taken, including 21 that were 12 feet or longer. The largest reported alligator taken last year was 13 feet, 7 inches from Lake Marion in the Midlands unit.

Nearly 1,500 prospective hunters from 19 states applied for the hunt last year. One thousand of these applicants were selected to be eligible to purchase an alligator permit and tag.

Sources: The Post and Courier, CCA SC, SC DNR