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SC Boating Rules
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All Boats |
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In South Carolina, vessels may not be
operated in excess of idle speed within 5 0 feet of an anchored
vessel, wharf, pier, dock, or a person in the water. Vessels may not
operate in excess of idle speed within 100 yards of the Atlantic
coastline. 50-21-870 |
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Equipment |
Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)
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All boats must have a U.S. Coast Guard approved wearable type
PFD for each person on board or being towed. Each PFD must be in
good condition, readily available and the proper size for the
intended wearer. In addition, boats 16 feet in length or longer must
carry a Type IV throwable device. In South Carolina, any person
under twelve years of age must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved Type
I, II, III, or V PFD when
on board a class “A” (less than 16 ft. long) boat.
Fire Extinguisher - One Coast Guard approved hand-held
portable fire extinguisher must be aboard each boat less than 2 6
ft. if the boat is carrying passengers for hire or if the
construction permits the entrapment of flammable vapors or if it has
a permanently installed gas tank, including gas tanks that use any
type of fastener that would hamper the immediate removal of the tank
from the boat. Additional extinguishers are required in boats larger
than 2 6ft. Contact SCDNR for complete regulations.
Navigation Lights must be on between official sunset and
sunrise.
Flares are required for vessels in coastal waters.
Bells, Whistle - All boats less than 39.4 feet must carry an
efficient sound producing device. Every vessel from 3 9.4 to 65.6
feet must carry a whistle and a bell. |
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Personal Watercraft |
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In South Carolina, each person on a
personal watercraft must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved Type I,
II, III or V PFD. A personal watercraft may not be operated between
sunset and sunrise and must be equipped with a self-circling or
lanyard-type engine cutoff switch. When operating a personal
watercraft, one may not operate in a manner so as to leave the water
completely while crossing (jumping) the wake of another vessel
within 2 00 feet of the vessel creating the wake. |
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Marine Events |
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A permit is required for any boat race
or tournament. For permits or information on these and other marine
events, contact: Marine Law Enforcement, PO Box 1259, Charleston, SC
2942, 843-953-9302. |
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Minimum Age of Operators |
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In South Carolina, boat operators under
age 16 must complete a boating course approved by the SCDNR 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. |
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Reporting Boating Accidents |
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The operator of every vessel involved in
a boating accident shall report to the DNR whenever the accident
results in loss of life, loss of consciousness, medical treatment or
disability in excess of 24 hours, or property damage in excess of
$500. For more information, call 843-953-9302. |
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Restrictions |
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Airboats are prohibited on public waters
of this state from the freshwater-saltwater dividing line seaward
and on that portion of Lake Marion and Santee Swamp west of the I-95
bridge upstream to the confluence of the Congaree and Wateree rivers
during the season for hunting waterfowl. |
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Boating Education and
Information |
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For boating class schedules or
additional information on subjects covered in this section see page
9 or contact: SCDNR, Boating Safety & Education, PO Box 1255 9,
Charleston, SC 2 9422, 843 -953 -9302, in Columbia call 803-734-3995
or statewide 800-277-4301. |
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Titling and Registration |
| Fees New Registration &
Title |
$40 |
| Boat or Motor Title |
$10 |
| Registration Renewal |
$30 |
| Transfer of Registration
& Title |
$16 |
| Duplicate Boat or Motor
Title |
$5 ea. |
| Duplicate Boat or Motor
Decal |
$1 ea. |
| Title Search |
$10 per
record |
| Late Fee (Thirty-First
(31) Day and Thereafter) |
$15 |
All watercraft and/or motors MUST be
registered or titled within thirty days of purchase. For more
information or forms contact: Watercraft Division, P.O. Box 167,
Columbia, SC 29202, (803) 734-3857
Titling - All watercraft are required to be titled except
documented vessels, windsurfers and those propelled by human power
with oars, paddles or similar devices. All sailboats MUST be titled.
All outboard motors 5 horsepower and greater must be titled. A title
is valid until the watercraft or outboard motor is sold, traded or
exchanged. If a used watercraft or outboard motor in South Carolina
is purchased, the seller must produce title in his/her name at the
time of sale.
Registration- All watercraft propelled by any mechanized
power must be registered in the owner’s name. Watercraft
registration is valid for 3 years after date of issue. Registration
card must be on board while boat is in operation.
Change of Address - SCDNR Watercraft Division MUST be
notified in writing within 15 days if owner’s address changes.
Description of the boat or outboard motor (including registration
number, title number, hull identification, etc.) must be included.
Change of Ownership - SCDNR Watercraft Division MUST be
notified in writing within 15 days of the date of sale of boat or
outboard motor. Seller must provide a description of the boat or
motor sold, name and address of buyer and date of sale.
Reporting Stolen Watercraft and Outboard Motors - The owner
of a watercraft or outboard motor which has been stolen should
contact SCDNR Watercraft Division at 734 -3858 immediately. An OB
Motor/Vessel Theft Report will be mailed to the owner. Upon receipt
of the completed report the boat/ motor will be put on record as
stolen. If the watercraft or outboard motor is later recovered,
please notify the Department in writing.
Property Taxes - The bill of sale or title to any watercraft
or an outboard motor shall require certification that property taxes
have been paid by the titled owner as of the date of sale. |
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Vessel Sewage Regulations |
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It is illegal:
To have a toilet
installed aboard your boat without a marine sanitation device.
For any boat used
for habitation moored at a private dock to discharge raw or
treated sewage.
For houseboats to
discharge treated or raw sewage in freshwater.
For any vessel to
discharge in a No Discharge Zone.
Designated No
Discharge Zones
Broad Creek (Hilton
Head Island)
Lake Hartwell •Lake
Keowee
Lake Murray • Lake
Thurmond
Lake Wylie
What Can You Do?
To prevent the possible dangers that sewage can cause to humans and
the environment, boaters should: use portable toilets, utilize
onshore or floating restrooms, or have a Marine Sanitation Device
installed on board and use a pumpout at a local marina. For more
information contact Lorianne Riggin (for Inland Waters) at
RigginL@dnr.sc.gov,
803-360-0034 ; or Scott Meister (for Coastal Waters) at
MeisterS@dnr.sc.gov , 843
-953 -9062; or visit us at
www.dnr.sc.gov/cleanvessel/ |
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Please
Visit www/dnr.sc.gov/boating/ for the most up to date Boating Rules |
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