Image by Flickr user USFWS/Southeast

Boaters in the Charleston area have been cautioned to slow it down out on the water and keep an eye out for manatees that are migrating here during the summer.

Manatees can only swim at 3 to 5 miles per hour and have a difficult time dodging boat propellors. All boaters should slow down or cut their engines completely if a manatee is spotted and use plenty of caution when navigating in shallow water where a manatee cannot dive away.

The Post and Courier has a list of helpful tips for other ways to protect manatees courtesy of the Department of Natural Resources. Go have a look.