South Carolina Personal Watercraft Boating Regulations

Just the same as a motor vehicle, if you are going to operate a boat there are things you need to know. If you aren’t careful of what you are doing, if you make one mistake, it could lead to an accident or trouble with the law.

Here are some boating regulations to become familiar with:

– In South Carolina, vessels are not permitted to operate in excess of idle speed within 50 feet of another vessel that is anchored.

– In South Carolina, every passenger on a personal watercraft is required to wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved PFD.

– Personal watercrafts are not permitted to be operated after sunset or before sunrise.

– In South Carolina, any boat operator under the age of 16 must have first completed a SCDNR boating course.

– If involved in a boating accident, every vessel operator must report the incident to the SCDNR if it resulted in medical treatment, death, disability, loss of consciousness, or property damage.

– Any watercraft propelled by a mechanized method, such as an engine, must be registered along with a title in the owner’s name.

South Carolina has many opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. This is particularly true if you enjoy spending time on the water, as the state is home to many lakes and rivers. Furthermore, there is access to the Atlantic Ocean.

As a boater in the state of South Carolina, it is important to understand the regulations associated with personal watercrafts. This will help you understand what you can and cannot do while on the water, which improves your safety.

Source: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, “2014 – 2015 Boating Regulations,” accessed July 23, 2015