South Carolina State Specific Information

Personal Watercraft:

1. Persons less than 16 years of age shall not operate a Personal Watercraft with a 15 h.p. or greater motor unless they have completed an approved boating safety course. PWCSafetySchool.com meets South Carolina's boater education requirements.

2. Each person on a personal watercraft (PWC) must wear a Coast Guard approved Type I, II, III, or V PFD. Additionally, the PWC must be equipped with a self-circling device or the operator must wear a lanyard type cut off switch.

3. The operator of a personal watercraft should operate in a reasonable and prudent manner. This includes being aware of other boats in the operating area, awareness of environmental concerns and respecting the rights of shoreline property owners.

4. In South Carolina, you may not operate a vessel at a speed greater than idle speed or 'no wake' within 50 feet of an anchored vessel, any wharf, pier or dock, or any person swimming, playing, or standing in the water. No vessel or PWC shall operate in excess of idle speed within 100 yards of the Atlantic coastline of South Carolina.

5. When operating a PWC, you may not operate in a manner so the hull of the PWC leaves the water completely when you are crossing the wake of another vessel within 200 feet of the vessel that created the wake.

6. In South Carolina, Personal Watercraft may not be operated after sunset and before sunrise.

Age Restrictions:

In South Carolina, boat operators under age 16 must complete a boating course approved by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources to operate a boat or personal watercraft with a 15 h.p. motor or greater, unless accompanied by an adult age eighteen years or older.

Personal Flotation Devices

1. Any person under twelve years of age must wear a USCG approved Type I, II, III, or V PFD when onboard a class "A" boat (less than 16 feet).

2. PWC operators and passengers must wear an approved Type I, II, III or V PFD.

3. In addition to the above, all federal requirements regarding PFD's must be complied with.

4. Required PFDs must be readily accessible.

Speed Limits and Negligent Operation

No vessel shall be operated within South Carolina in a reckless or negligent manner. Examples of reckless or careless operation include:

1. Excessive speed in regulated or congested areas.

2. Excessive speed in fog or stormy conditions.

3. Operating in a manner that may cause an accident.

4. Operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

5. Operating in a swimming area with swimmers present.

6. Towing water skiers where obstructions exist or where a fall might cause them to be hit by other vessels.

7. Bow riding or riding on the gunwale or transom where no seating is provided.

8. Operating in the vicinity of dams when such areas are know to be hazardous.

9. Cutting through a regatta or marine parade in progress.

10. Operation of a personal watercraft which endangers life or property.

11. Enforcement vessels can be identified by a flashing blue light. If you are approaching such a vessel, a boat operator must slow to a "no wake" speed until clear of the area.

Navigation Rules

The State of South Carolina adopts and enforces all federally mandated boating safety laws. Please see Module 5 in this handbook for more information.

Every vessel operating in the State of South Carolina shall carry and use safety equipment in accordance with U. S. Coast Guard requirements as specified in the Code of Federal Regulations. Additionally, every vessel shall display the lights and shapes required by the navigation rules.

Diving and Snorkeling

1. All divers shall display a free-flying, 12 by 12 inch minimum, white diagonal stripe on a red background, divers-down flag or the Internationally recognized Alpha diving flag in the area in which the diving occurs.

2. Boaters should stay at least 50 feet away from any craft or object displaying either of these flags.

Water Skiing and Surfing

1. No person shall tow a person on water skis, aquaplane or similar device without an observer aboard or a wide-angle rear view mirror.

2. In addition, each person engaged in water skiing must wear a U. S. Coast Guard approved PFD, unless that person has a first class or higher rating with the American Water Ski Association. If the skier is not wearing a PFD, there must be an extra PFD aboard the tow vessel.

3. Water skiing and surfing is only permitted between sunrise and sunset.

Accident Reporting

It is the duty of the operator of a vessel involved in a collision, accident, or other casualty, to render assistance as may be practical or necessary to persons affected, if he can do so without serious danger to his own vessel, passengers or crew.

Accidents must be reported to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR). If the accident has resulted in:

A death or disappearance of a person involved in the accident - the boat operator must immediately notify South Carolina DNR (1-800-922-5431) verbally giving location and other information, and must also submit a written accident report to South Carolina DNR within 48 hours.

If a person is unconsciousness as a result of being involved in the accident- the boat operator must make written accident report to South Carolina DNR within 48 hours.

An injured person's medical treatment extends beyond 24 hours from the time of the accident - the operator must make a written boating accident report to South Carolina DNR within 48 hours.

Property damage resulting from the accident to all-involved property (boats, piers, docks, floats, jumps etc.), which is in excess of $500, the boat operator must make written accident report to SCDNR within 10 days following the accident.

Any boat operator involved in a boating accident must give his name, address, and identification of his vessel in writing to any person injured and to the owner of any property damaged in the collision, accident, or other casualty.

Boating accident reports submitted by the operator of a vessel involved in the accident are not admissible in court.

Boating While Intoxicated

Alcohol and drugs can result in impairment of a person's faculties, such as: balance, vision, coordination, judgment, and reaction time. Studies have shown that alcohol contributes to about one-third of all boating accidents nationwide.

South Carolina law prohibits anyone from operating a moving water device (motorized or under sail) on South Carolina waters while under the influence of alcohol – 0.08% or greater – or drugs or a combination thereof.

Penalties include a fine up to $6,000 and up to three years imprisonment. A person convicted for boating under the influence, in addition to any other penalties, shall be required by the department to attend and complete an approved boating safety education program. The person required to attend the program shall reimburse the department for the expense of the program. The person's privilege to operate a water device within this State shall be suspended until successful completion of the required program. Felony BUI, resulting in great bodily injury or death, carries penalties up to a $25,000 fine and 25 years imprisonment.

By operating a vessel on South Carolina waters, a person is considered to have given "implied consent" to chemical test or analysis of his or her breath, blood or urine.

Registration/Documentation

1. All vessels operated on the waters of South Carolina must be registered and/or numbered in South Carolina, except as follows:

1. Vessels documented by the USCG.

2. Vessels owned by the Federal Government, except those for recreational purposes

3. Vessels used exclusively as life boats.

4. Vessels with no means of mechanical propulsion (rowing and paddle boats, and sailboards).

5. Vessels with a current number from another state or country temporarily using South Carolina waters.

2. Upon registration, boaters will be issued a certificate of number and a registration decal. The certificate must be on board whenever the boat is used. The boat's number and registration decal must be properly displayed on both port and starboard side. The registration decal should be attached to each side of the vessel's bow immediately following (within 6 inches) of the number.

3. In addition to registration, all sailboats and motorboats and all outboard motors of five horsepower or larger must be titled in South Carolina. Exceptions are vessels documented by the USCG, rowing or paddle boats, and sailboards.

South Carolina and federal boating laws are found in their entirety by consulting South Carolina State Law. These laws are subject to change. It is the responsibility of the operator to be aware of the most current laws when using a boat. Certain bodies of water in South Carolina have local restrictions as to type and size of watercraft or motor horsepower, restricted use areas, boat speed, and times for use. Check with the local authorities for these additional restrictions.