To prepare for new state laws taking effect July 1, the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office is ramping up boat patrols on Pactola Reservoir and Sheridan Lake. These efforts aim to promote safety, educate boaters, and enforce new felony penalties for reckless or impaired boating.
Senate Bill 8, passed in response to fatal accidents, now makes it a felony to cause serious injury or death while boating under the influence—creating charges like “watercraft homicide” and “watercraft battery.” Leaving the scene of a water-related accident now carries a Class 6 felony, aligning water laws with those for motor vehicles.
“The legal limit applies if you’re operating a boat,” said Deputy Branden Spence, noting many boaters aren’t aware. Officers conduct regular safety checks for life jackets, flotation devices, fire extinguishers, and valid registration. But the goal, Spence emphasized, isn’t punishment: “It’s a much-needed job… we just hope we stay out and keep people safe and have a good time.”
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