I just wanted to go over the ordinances again as the summer begins.
- Kayakers are allowed to beach kayaks on the beach and stay, get out, etc.
- Boats are allowed to drop/pick up people on the inlet. The Kiawah resort boat often does this in the summer dropping off kayakers or groups as part of an ecology class they offer. This requires them coming close to shore and the ppl need to wade in water to get to/from boat. Boats are NOT ALLOWED to anchor on shore. I will be meeting with the Kiawah resort/Mingo group on Thursday to go over all of this and the dolphins guidelines so after Thursday all the boat drivers/naturalists/staff should be trained.
- People are not allowed to swim or wade in the water.
- Dogs are not allowed at the spit- starting at the “No Dogs Allowed” sign on Kiawah and buoy on Seabrook.
- The Kiawah dolphin tour boat (or any boat) should slowly go up and down the inlet not making any sudden turns to see dolphins. They can stop but we don’t want boats or kayaks turning quickly or chasing dolphins. Unfortunately, there’s not much we can do with ppl in the water. Kayakers that rent from Mingo Pt. are told the regulations but up to them to adhere to them.
- Please try to talk to people before calling beach patrol. We want to be a positive program on the islands and want to make sure we all know the ordinances.
- During your beach shift- please try and be proactive vs. reactive, meaning approach and talk to people instead of waiting until something happens and you’re rushing over. I don’t expect you to talk to every inlet visitor as it gets busy but it’s better to talk to people even if dolphins are not there or at the other side of the inlet. You never know when dolphins might pop up and then you’re trying to rush over to intercept an interaction. We are there to stop and intercept interactions but also to provide education. Many people are coming to the spit to see dolphins- if there are no dolphins and you didn’t talk to them, they may come back tomorrow(or rent kayaks) and say there was no educator on that day or an educator couldn’t get to them—they will not have that information and might unintentionally harass dolphins. Had you educated them the day before, they will hopefully act responsibly the next time.
- During the summer- it will be busy and hard to talk to everyone only when dolphins are present- also hard to reach everyone up/down the spit. P{lease make an effort to talk to folks when dolphins are not present so you’re not running around when dolphins are present.
- A good segway: “Hello, did you know this is a dolphin feeding ground?…We’re out here to help protect feeding dolphins…I haven’t seen dolphins today but they often come here to feed…if they come close to shore, can you stay back 15 yards?”
- I also approach kayakers and say…”Hello, did you know there are kayak regulations if you see dolphins?…Dolphins are protected and the regulations are not to approach dolphins within 50 yards from your vessel. They can approach you but never chase, follow or pursue. It’s best to lift your paddles and enjoy. It’s also illegal to touch, feed, swim with or encourage them to your boats by clapping or splashing the water…
- People should stay back 15 YARDS (not feet). This is 45 feet.
- Let me know any questions!Lauren
Here are the KIAWAH ordinances:
- 15-314. – Wading/swimming prohibited at Captain Sam’s Inlet.
It shall be unlawful for any person to wade or swim in the waters in and around Captain Sam’s Inlet.
(Code 1993, § 15-315)
Sec. 16-803. – Launching or retrieving of vessels restricted.
(a) No person shall launch or retrieve a vessel, excluding sailboats, surfboards, rafts, inner tubes or similar devices, anywhere on the beach seaward of the mean high water mark, except in case of emergency.
(b) No person shall propel or cause to move any vessel, except sailboats, surfboards, rafts, inner tubes or similar devices from the water onto the sand beach above the mean low-water mark anywhere on the beach seaward of the mean high-water mark, except in case of emergency.
(Code 1993, § 16-803; Ord. No. 2001-2, 3-13-2001)
This one is for SEABROOK:
- 32-48. – Launching or retrieving vessel.
(a) No person shall launch or retrieve a vessel, excluding sailboats, surfboards, rafts, inner tubes, kayaks or similar devices, anywhere on the beach seaward of the mean high-water mark, except in the case of emergency.
(b) No person shall propel or cause to move any vessel, except sailboats, surfboards, rafts, inner tubes, kayaks or similar devices from the water onto the sand or anywhere on the beach above the mean low-water mark, except in the case of an emergency.
(Ord. No. 2015-02, § I, 7-28-2015)