SOUTH CAROLINA BOATING AND ALCOHOL LAWS

It is illegal to operate any motorized boat while under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance or a combination thereof. Research has proven that one-third of the amount of alcohol that it takes to make a person legally intoxicated on land can make a boater equally intoxicated on the water.

In South Carolina, a person is considered to be under the influence if:

• They are under the influence of alcohol to the extent that the person’s faculties to operate are materially and appreciably impaired.
• They are under the influence of any other drug or a combination of other drugs or substances which cause impairment to the extent that the person’s faculties to operate are materially and appreciably impaired.
• They are under the combined influence of alcohol and any other drug or drugs, or substances which cause impairment to the extent that the person’s faculties to operate are materially and appreciably impaired.

FINES AND PENALTIES

In South Carolina, a person convicted of operating a boat while under the influence will be subject to the following penalties:

For a 1st offence: A fine of $200 and 48 hours to a maximum of 30 days of imprisonment. In lieu of the 48 hour minimum imprisonment, the court may require the offender to provide 48 hours of public service work.

For a 2nd offence: A fine of $2,000-$5,000 and 48 hours to 12 months of imprisonment. In lieu of the imprisonment sentence, the court may require the offender to provide a minimum of 10 days of public service work.

For a 3rd offence: A fine of $3,500-$6,000 and 60 days to a maximum of 3 years imprisonment.

Any person convicted of operating a watercraft while under the influence, in addition to any other penalties, will be prohibited from operating any watercraft in South Carolina for:

• 6 months (for the first conviction).
• 1 year (for a second conviction).
• 2 years (for a third conviction). 

SOUTH CAROLINA BOAT REGISTRATION

In order to legally operate a boat in South Carolina, you must obtain a Certificate of Number (registration card) and validation decals. The Certificate of Number must be on board and be available for inspection by a law enforcement officer during boat operation.

The Certificate of Number and validation decals are obtained by submitting an application and fee to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Boat registration is valid for 3 years.

THESE VESSELS DO NOT REQUIRE REGISTRATION IN SOUTH CAROLINA

• Non-motorized boats.
• Boats that have been documented by the Coast Guard.
• Boats that have been registered in another state or country and are using South Carolina’s waters temporarily.

BOAT TITLING REQUIREMENTS

All boats are required to be titled. The only exceptions are boats that have been documented by the Coast Guard, paddleboats, rowboats and sailboards.

Additionally, outboard motors of 5 hp or more are required to be titled, with the exception of battery powered trolling motors.

DO I NEED BOAT INSURANCE IN SOUTH CAROLINA?

Boats in South Carolina are not required to be insured, however it is recommended.

Boats in South Carolina are required to correctly display their registration number and validations stickers. 

Registration numbers and stickers must be displayed as follows:

• The numbers must be applied as a decal, painted or permanently affixed to each side of the boat’s bow (boat owners are not permitted to display any other numbers in this area).
• The number must be in bold block letters that are at least 3 inches high and in a color that contrasts with the color of the boat.
• The numbers must be separated from the letters by a hyphen or by an equivalent space.
• The numbers must be read from left to right.
• Validation decals must be affixed on both sides of the boat, preceding the prefix letters of the registration number, and 6 inches following the registration number.
• These requirements also apply to personal watercraft (PWCs).

NEGLIGENT OR RECKLESS BOAT OPERATION

It is illegal in the state of South Carolina to operate any boat or to manipulate any water-skis, aquaplane or similar device in a careless, reckless or negligent manner so as to endanger the life, limb or property of any person.

Examples of reckless operation include:

• Weaving a boat or PWC through congested traffic at more than idle speed.
• Jumping the wake of another boat when within 200 feet of the other boat.  
• Crossing the path or wake of another boat when the visibility around the other boat operator is obstructed
• Waiting until the last possible moment to swerve to avoid a collision.
• Creating a hazardous wake.
• Harassing or disturbing wildlife with your boat.
• Riding on, or allowing passengers to ride on the boat’s bow, seatback, gunwale or transom.
• Allowing boat passengers to swim within 50 feet of a boat ramp of public landing
• Overloading a boat beyond the safe carrying capacity.
• Overpowering the boat beyond the recommended horsepower capacity.
• Boating in a restricted area without regard for other water users, speed limits or wake restrictions.

BOAT SPEED LIMITS IN RESTRICTED AREAS

In South Carolina, it is illegal to operate a boat at greater than idle speed when within 50 feet of:

• A wharf, dock or pier.
• A person in the water.
• A moored or anchored boat.

NON-NATIVE AQUATIC SPECIES

American waterways have been under threat from foreign aquatic plants, fish and invertebrates. Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) are transferred from boats and boating equipment that originate from external waterways. Once introduced to a new waterway, the ANS will detach from the contaminated boat and spread like wildfire. ANS include: Milfoil, Zebra Mussels and Quagga Mussels.

Why are ANS such a serious threat?

• They have no natural predators in U.S. waters.
• Some ANS can actually survive out of water, making transfer easy.
• They reproduce quickly.
• They have harmful effects on the native wildlife, habitats and ecosystems.

For more information on Aquatic Nuisance Species, visit: www.protectyourwaters.net/impacts.php.

HELP PREVENT THE SPREAD OF NON-NATIVE SPECIES

• Inspect all surfaces of your boat and remove aquatic plants or animals before leaving any body of water.
• Ensure you flush raw-water cooling systems and clean sea-strainers before moving your boat from one body of water to another.
• Empty and dry any buckets before leaving a body of water. 
• Remove any plant fragments from bait wells, fishing gear, trailers, dive gear or props. 
• Dispose of plant fragments and bait into a garbage receptacle on land.  
• Avoid chopping vegetation with your boat’s propeller.
• Clean and dry all live-wells prior to transporting your boat.
• Drain all water from your motor and bilge and dry all areas. t.
• Thoroughly wash your boat, including the hull, before putting it into a new body of water.
• Refer to specific drying times.