New Boating Laws Go Into Effect in South Carolina in August
If you live in South Carolina and own a boat, be aware some changes to the state’s boating regulations go into effect in mid-August.
Boaters born after July 1, 2007 (age 16), will be required to pass an approved boater education course and get a boating safety certificate before being allowed to operate a boat. jet ski, or specialty prop-craft powered by a 10 HP motor or more. Until now, South Carolina was one of only four states that didn’t have a boating safety requirement in place.
The new boating requirements require:
- The operator was born before July 1, 2007
- Has a SC boating safety certificate
- Has a license issued by the US Coast Guard in the person’s name (even if the license is expired)
- Has a merchant marine credential issued by the US Coast Guard (even if the credential is expired)
- Is a non-resident with a boating safety certificate issued by another state
- Has a valid boat rental safety certificate issued in the person’s name and is operating a vessel, personal watercraft, or specialty propcraft from a business engaged in the renting of vessels, personal watercrafts, or specialty propcrafts or is accompanied by a person at least 18 years old who meets the above criteria.
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources must issue a boating safety certificate in both physical and electronic form to a person who:
- Successfully completes a boating safety education course administered or approved by the SCDNR
- Provides proof they were issued a boating safety certificate or the equivalent by another state, or
- Provides proof they were issued a license or merchant marine credential by the US Coast Guard.
- SCDNR offers a six-hour in-person free boating safety course
- SCDNR also offers an online self-study course at a cost of $39.95
For more information, visit www.dnr.sc.gov.
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources officials say there will be a grace period once the new goes into effect August 18, but once officials begin enforcing it, violating the law will come with a fine of anywhere from $50 to $300.
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