As boating season kicks off, state law and common sense demand safety on the water

National Safe Boating Week, May 16-22, serves as a timely reminder before Memorial Day weekend

With Memorial Day weekend approaching and South Carolina’s lakes, rivers, and coastal waters filling up with recreational boaters, this week marks National Safe Boating Week, May 16-22, 2026, an annual observance led by the National Safe Boating Council in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard. The campaign serves as a critical reminder that many boating accidents are entirely preventable, and that safety on the water begins before the boat ever leaves the dock.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, approximately 650 people die each year in boating-related accidents nationwide. Drowning accounts for roughly 79 percent of those fatalities, and in the vast majority of cases, the victims were not wearing a life jacket. Safety advocates say the message is simple: wearing a properly fitted personal flotation device can save your life.

Know the Law: What South Carolina Requires

South Carolina law sets clear requirements for recreational boaters, and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources enforces those regulations on state waterways.

Life Jackets: All boats must carry at least one U.S. Coast Guard-approved, wearable personal flotation device (PFD) for every person on board or being towed. Boats 16 feet or longer must also carry a Type IV throwable device, such as a ring buoy or cushion. Under state law, children under age 12 must wear a Coast Guard-approved PFD at all times when aboard any vessel under 16 feet in length while the motor is running. Passengers 12 and older are not required by law to wear a life jacket, but one must be readily accessible to them at all times.

Boater Education: A significant update to South Carolina law took effect in 2023. Anyone born after July 1, 2007, must complete a SCDNR-approved boating safety course and carry a South Carolina Boater Education Card before operating any boat or personal watercraft (PWC) powered by a 10-horsepower motor or greater. The card does not expire and is recognized by other states under national reciprocity standards. Those who hold a U.S. Coast Guard license or merchant mariner credential are exempt. Online courses are available through providers such as Boat Ed and the BoatUS Foundation; in-person options are also available throughout the state. Failing to carry the card when required can result in a fine of up to $300.

Vessel Registration: Most motorized watercraft operated on South Carolina public waters must be registered with SCDNR, including boats with electric trolling motors and sailboats over 12 feet in length.

Required Safety Equipment: In addition to PFDs, state law requires all motorboats to carry a Coast Guard-approved fire extinguisher in good working condition. Vessels 16 feet or longer must also carry a sound-producing device, such as a horn or whistle. Most boats are required to carry visual distress signals, including flares or distress flags. Boats operating after dark must have proper navigation lights.

Personal Watercraft (PWC) Rules: Operators of jet skis and similar watercraft face additional restrictions. Every rider must wear a Coast Guard-approved Level 70 PFD. PWCs may not be operated between sunset and sunrise and must be equipped with a self-circling or lanyard-type engine cutoff switch. Riders may not jump the wake of another vessel within 200 feet of the vessel creating the wake. Persons under 16 may only operate a PWC under the supervision of an adult at least 18 years old with boating experience and may not rent a PWC.

Boating Under the Influence: Operating a vessel while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs is illegal in South Carolina and can result in fines, loss of boating privileges, and criminal charges. While there is no state law prohibiting open containers aboard a boat, the operator is held to the same standard as a driver on the road.

Speed and Navigation: State law requires all boats to operate at a safe speed that accounts for visibility, traffic density, and proximity to shorelines and docks. Excessive speed in congested areas or no-wake zones will result in a citation. Boaters must yield to sailboats under sail, and when two motorized vessels approach head-on, both must steer right. A 50-foot buffer is required when passing anchored boats, swimmers, or docks at speeds above idle.

Practical Safety Tips for Every Trip

Beyond what the law requires, experienced boaters and safety professionals recommend several additional precautions.

File a float plan. Before heading out, let someone on shore know where you are going and when you expect to return. SCDNR offers a free float plan form at its website.

Check the weather. Conditions on the water can change rapidly. Always review the forecast before departure and turn back if threatening weather develops. NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts current conditions for South Carolina waterways.

Avoid overloading. Every boat has a capacity rating for both weight and passengers. Exceeding that limit significantly increases the risk of capsizing.

Stay sober. Designate a sober operator for every outing.

Inspect your equipment. At the start of each season and before each trip, check that fire extinguishers are charged, flares have not expired, PFDs are in good condition, and navigation lights are operational.

Monitor Channel 16. The VHF marine radio channel 16 is the distress and hailing channel monitored by the U.S. Coast Guard and other vessels.

Resources for South Carolina Boaters

Residents seeking more information or wanting to complete a boating safety course can visit the SCDNR website at dnr.sc.gov or call 1-800-277-4301. Online courses are available at boat-ed.com and through the BoatUS Foundation. For boating emergencies on South Carolina waterways, contact the U.S. Coast Guard on VHF Channel 16 or call 911.