New S.C. boating law goes in effect Aug. 18

CLARENDON COUNTY - Operating boats on South Carolina waterways and lakes has gotten safer with the almost-unanimous passage of the South Carolina Boating Safety and Education Bill with a vote of 97-6 in the House and 44-0 in the Senate. The bill that takes effect Aug. 18 will require boaters born on or after July 1, 2007, to receive a boating safety certificate by completing a boating safety course administered or approved by the Department of Natural Resources before operating a boat with a 10-horsepower engine or greater.

The bill does not apply to boaters on private lakes or ponds.

Gov. Henry McMaster was joined by Lt. Gov. Pamela S. Evette, state and local law enforcement officers, state agency leaders and members of the General Assembly for the ceremonial signing of the bill July 27.

"With 30,000 miles of rivers and streams and the most beautiful coastline in the country, boating is a cherished pastime in South Carolina," McMaster said. "By educating boaters and promoting responsible practices, we protect the lives of those who use our waterways and encourage more South Carolinians and visitors alike to enjoy South Carolina's endless natural resources."

Sen. Kevin L. Johnson (D-Dist. 36) was one of the bill's supporters.

"The Boating Safety and Education Bill, in my opinion, is a good bill that should decrease the number of accidents in our area and on our lakes," Johnson said. "I think the education aspect of the bill is very important because I have found that there are a lot of people who are operating watercraft who are clueless as to how to operate them safely. Some may see this as an inconvenience, but I see it as a necessity. This bill received near-unanimous support in the House and Senate."

DNR's website will provide a list of approved boating safety courses, including one or more boat rental safety courses for those renting a vessel, personal watercraft including jet skis, wave runners and SeaDoos or specialty propcraft. A boat rental safety certificate is valid for 30 days. Log onto https://bit.ly/3qa0YzO for additional information from SCDNR on boater education.

"We believe that this will be critically important to help underscore the importance of boating safety in South Carolina," said DNR Executive Director Robert Boyles. "The bottom line is this new law will make a better-educated boater, a better-informed boating public, and we believe that an educated boater is a safer boater."

SCDNR officers will allow boaters a grace period while educating the public on the new law. Once enforced, a violation carries a penalty of up to a $300 fine with a minimum fine of $50.

"SCDNR supported this bill because we believe in the long run it will save lives by educating our boating public," said SCDNR Maj. Billy Downer. "It's a slow rollout, but in the end, it will accomplish the goal of educating our boating public for years to come."

Sen. Chip Campsen (R-Dist. 43), who chairs the Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee, also supported the bill.

"Knowledge of boater safety is not something you pick up unless you really study it," Campsen said. "We have a lot of folks who do not have any experience, particularly in oceans and estuaries, and increasingly, we see that this is needed."

Taking the Boater Education Course will allow you to comply with the state's boating law, and it may also make the person eligible for a discount on boat or personal water craft, including jet ski, insurance.

For more information on boater education, check out DNR's Boating Handbook or call 1-800-277-4301. A free PDF version of the handbook can be found at https://bit.ly/43JMhRX.