Charleston has seen a spike in boating incidents this summer, including arrests for Boating Under the Influence (BUI), fatal accidents under bridges, and serious injuries tied to alcohol or operator negligence. This post explains what BUI means in South Carolina, recent cases in the Charleston area, how the law applies, and how Mastantuno Law Firm can defend you.

Recent BUI-Related Incidents & Boating Accidents in Charleston, South Carolina

1. Fatal Boating Incident Under Bridge – Ravenel, July 2025

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and Charleston County Coroner are investigating a fatal boating crash in Ravenel at Tea Farm Creek. The boater, 22-year-old Tallon Goff, was killed after passing under a sunken or low-clearance bridge. The incident occurred around 7:38 p.m. on July 3, 2025, with one fatality confirmed during the investigation. Alcohol involvement has not been confirmed yet, but the SCDNR is leading the probe. 

Sources: 

• Identity of Man Killed in Charleston County Boating Accident – Live 5 News
• Authorities respond to fatal boating incident in Charleston County – Ground News

2. Skull Creek Capsizing – Beaufort County, June 2025

Near Pinckney Island, a vessel capsized, killing two older Howell County residents and injuring two others. While not directly tied to a BUI charge, such crashes often overlap with investigations of operator impairment or negligence.

Sources:

• Skull Creek boating accident kills 2 people, injures 2 others – Live 5 News
• South Carolina Couple In Fatal Lowcountry Boating Accident Identified – Fits News

3. Cooper River Crash – North Charleston, October (year unspecified)

Four people were ejected from a boat during a high-speed crash on the Cooper River. The operator was arrested for boating under the influence after admitting to drinking. One passenger was critically injured.

Sources:

• VIDEO: 4 ejected, 1 in critical condition after Cooper River boat crash
• The State – Boat Crash Injures 4
• Boat crash throws 4 into SC river, seriously injuring 1, officials say. Boater charged – AOL

What Is BUI in South Carolina?

Under South Carolina law, operating a boat while impaired is prohibited:

• Boat operators must adhere to the same BAC limits as vehicle drivers—typically 0.08% BAC (0.04% for commercial operators).
  
• BUI charges can arise from intoxication affecting safe navigation, regardless of accident occurrence.
  
• If alcohol or drugs contributed to a crash or unsafe operation, SCDNR and SLED often investigate and arrest the operator under BUI statutes.
  

In fatal or serious injury cases (like Ravenel and Skull Creek), BUI charges may accompany wrongful death or negligent operation investigations.

Why The Rise in BUI Arrests This Summer?

Factors contributing to increased BUI enforcement:

• Summer crowds and rising boat traffic, especially around Folly Beach, Sullivan’s Island, and Johns Island waterways.
  
• Promotional safety campaigns by SCDNR and channel advisories with heightened enforcement after sunset and around holidays.
  
• High-visibility enforcement zones near bridges, marinas, and high-use intercoastal areas, where accidents and fatalities have historically clustered.
  

How to Protect Yourself if Facing a BUI or Boating Accident Charge

1. Examine the Stop & Investigation

• Was there probable cause for a boating stop? SCDNR must follow appropriate protocol for operating enforcement.
  
• Were sobriety or field sobriety tests conducted properly and recorded?
  

2. Scrutinize Evidence Handling

• Were blood or breath tests conducted under partial SC guidelines?
  
• Chain-of-custody and testing standards must be strict—improper handling can weaken prosecution.
  

3. Assess the Crash or Injury Scene

• Did conditions (bridge clearance, signage, speed warnings) contribute?
  
• Operator fatigue, equipment failure, or third-party responsibility may mitigate liability.
  

4. Explore Legal Defenses

• Challenge procedural errors, improper evidence collection, or violations of constitutional rights.
  
• Mitigate penalties on first-time BUI without major injuries through negotiation, diversion programs, or reduced charges.
  

How Mastantuno Law Firm Helps in BUI & Boating Accident Cases

• Criminal defense experience: We defend BUI and boating-related charges alongside DUI cases across Charleston County and surrounding waterways. Learn more about our criminal defense practice.
  
• Collaboration with investigation experts: We retain maritime safety specialists to review crash factors, bridge clearance liability, and navigation conditions.
  
• Injury & wrongful death expertise: If you or a loved one was injured by an impaired boater, our personal injury team handles insurance claims, wrongful death litigation, and detail-oriented case construction.
  
• Extensive legal resources: We reference and cross-link our in-house DUI/BUI guides such as our detailed DUI defense guide and insights from personal injury—e.g. medical records and injury claims for boating accidents with injuries.
  

Related Legal Topics & Internal Resources

• Navigate first-time DUI or BUI charges with insights from our DUI/DUAC legal page.
  
• Understand criminal defense service areas like boating-related prosecutions on our criminal defense overview.
  
• If injury occurred in the crash, review our personal injury FAQ resource.
  

External References & Media Coverage

• Charleston County fatal boating incident under bridge (Ravenel, July 2025) — SCDNR cover-up under investigation
  • 1 dead after boating incident in Charleston County: SCDNR
    
• Skull Creek fatal capsize June 2025 — two deaths, two injured near Pinckney Island 
  • FITSNews 
• Cooper River BUI case — operator arrested after high-speed crash that threw passengers overboard
  • VIDEO: 4 ejected, 1 in critical condition after Cooper River boat crash
  • The State – Boat Crash Injures 4
  • Boat crash throws 4 into SC river, seriously injuring 1, officials say. Boater charged – AOL
    
• Broader context: S.C. ranks among highest in DUI-related fatalities; boating deaths often overlap with intoxication and unsafe navigation
  • South Carolina: 2 dead, 1 arrested in boat crash
    

Have You Been Charged with BUI or Boating Under the Influence? Contact Mastantuno Law Firm Today

Give us a call our main office, or fill out our contact form.

Allen Mastantuno was born and raised in Charleston, SC. He graduated from the College of Charleston (B.A., 2003) and from the University of South Carolina School of Law (J.D., 2007).

After graduating from law school, he clerked for the Federal Public Defender’s Office in Charleston, SC gaining valuable experience in the Federal criminal system. From 2008 to 2010, Allen worked as a prosecutor for South Carolina’s Ninth Judicial Circuit which includes Charleston & Berkeley County.

He became the lead DUI prosecutor in the Berkeley County office and handled over 100 DUI cases ranging from DUI 1st Offense to Felony DUI Involving Death. As a prosecutor, he was extremely active in the courtroom, trying difficult and lengthy cases including such serious offenses as Armed Robbery and Burglary. While earning his reputation as a hard fighting trial attorney, he also assisted with and prosecuted hundreds of other cases ranging from Murder to traffic violations.

Since 2010, Allen Mastantuno has focused his entire practice on defending his client’s rights. He has successfully represented clients who face serious criminal charges or who have been injured in an accident. Examples of charges Allen Mastantuno has defended include: Murder, Attempted Murder, Armed Robbery, Arson, Criminal Sexual Conduct, Burglary, Felony DUI, Trafficking of Drugs, Manufacturing/Distribution of Drugs, Financial Crimes. If you have been charged with a crime Mastantuno Law Firm, LLC can help.

As a trial attorney, Allen Mastantuno has also helped people who have been seriously hurt. Whether you have been hurt in a car, motorcycle, boat or other vehicular accident Allen Mastantuno can help.