Three boaters in distress okay after scare on Lake Murray Saturday night

Chapin, SC (Paul Kirby) – Three boaters are safe after they called a tow boat company telling the operator that their boat was taking on water on Lake Murray Saturday night. The call came in just before 9:00 p.m. The tow boat operator notified the county’s 911 center and together they were able to communicate with the boaters to vector in on their location. It placed them just off Dallas Drive, which is on the Chapin side of the lake close to Amicks Ferry Road. At that point, the county’s fire service was notified and mobilized their water rescue units from across the county.

Firefighters responded to the area and eventually were able to spot the boaters that were in trouble. They asked for the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department boat and units from DNR, but all of those were already off the water. Lexington County Fire Service’s boat was dispatched but the closest available was one from the Irmo Fire District. Eventually, firefighters were able to calm the boaters until they could be brought to safety and their boat was turned over to the commercial tow boat company. There were no injuries as a result of the mishap and close call.