Docking causes controversy

Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2001 | 9:23 a.m.

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. -- A county zoning appeals board has delayed a decision on whether a gambling boat may dock at a local marina until Horry County Council votes on an ordinance to require casino boats to be 2,000 feet from residential property.

Davis Legrand Weaver, the operator of the Bucksport Marina, told the board Monday that docking the boat at the marina would benefit the area. The vessel, owned by R.A. Green, now operates in the Waccamaw River and a launch shuttles patrons to the boat from the marina.

Kathleen Bivens of Little River told the board that landowners who support the boats docking should be ready for noise, violence and loitering.

"All they see is dollar signs," she said. "They're not seeing the down side of it."

Weaver's attorney, Fred Newby, said the boat would not be detrimental to the remote area. He had letters from nine landowners who live within 2,000 feet of the marina who are not opposed to the boat.

Bryan Edwards, a yacht salesman for Bartus Marine Group located at the North Myrtle Beach Marina, said casino boats are not a problem.

"When they get back about 3 o'clock, they get in their cars and they leave," he said. "We've never had a problem."

Earlier this year the state Supreme Court ruled that gambling day cruises do not violate state law. The court said the state has failed to ban boats from docking in South Carolina if they allow gambling beyond the state's territorial waters.