Additional State Boating Regulations

REGISTRATION OF BOATS

In South Carolina, all motorboats must be registered and numbered unless specifically exempted.  This includes sailboats with motors, motorized inflatables and even dinghies with tiny electric motors.  Boats registered with a valid registration in another state may use South Carolina waters for ninety (90) consecutive days before a South Carolina registration is required.

Persons who have just purchased boats may use them for 60 days from the date of the bill of sale with a temporary certificate, provided the temporary certificate of number and bill of sale are aboard.

A Certificate of Number, sometimes called a Registration Card, is issued to tell enforcement officers that a boat is properly registered. It must be on board whenever the boat is in use.   Registration fee is $10.00.

Registration has several purposes; it:

• Helps the owner identify the boat if it is stolen.
• Provides a way to identify a boat being driven recklessly.
• Allows a person to operate the boat in other states without other numbering.
• Helps find an owner whose boat has caused damage, been lost or drifted away.
• Makes sit possible to enforce water laws.
• Encourages boat operators to use boats carefully because they can be identified by their boat numbers.

REGISTRATION MAILING ADDRESS:

Registration numbers may be obtained by completing an application form.  These forms are available from the Boat Registration and Titling Office, S.C. Department of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 167, Columbia, SC 29202, 803-734-9851.  This address may be used for all registration and titling business.  Also, many marine dealers and most Wildlife Dept. offices stock forms.  Upon receipt of the application and a $10.00 fee, a registration card and two decals will be issued to the owner.

LOST REGISTRATION CARDS, DECALS, ETC:

If the registration card is lost, send your name, address, and boat number, together with a fee of $1.00 to the Boat Registration and Titling Office.  Replacements for lost decals may be obtained for $1.00 in the same manner.  A duplicate title may be obtained for a fee of $1.00 by completing a duplicate title application.  The fee for a corrected duplicate title is $3.00.

ABANDONED OR DESTROYED VESSELS / OUTBOARD MOTORS:

When a vessel / outboard motor is registered / titled in South Carolina and is destroyed or abandoned, the Boat Registration and Titling Office must be notified within ten (10) days with a complete description of the vessel / outboard motor.  Also, please return the titles, if available.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS:

The Registration and Titling Office must be notified within fifteen (15) days of any change in the mailing address of the owner of a vessel / outboard motor that is registered or titled in the State with a complete description of the vessel / outboard motor.

TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP:

When selling a vessel or transferring ownership of a registered / titled vessel or outboard motor, the owner must give the vessel's registration card and title for the boat and outboard motor to the purchaser or dealer at the time of the sale or trade.  It is also the seller's responsibility to provide the Boat Registration and Titling Office with the following information within fifteen (15) days of the sale or trade:

1. Seller's name, address, and boat / outboard motor description.
2. Name and address of individual or dealer to whom the boat / outboard motor was sold or traded.
3. Date of the sale or trade.

SALE OF VESSEL REGISTERED IN SOUTH CAROLINA:

Upon acquiring a vessel registered in this state, the purchaser must complete an application form obtainable from the Boat Registration and Titling Office and most marine dealers.  This application and the owner's current registration card and Certificate of Title must be forwarded with a transfer fee of $6.00 to the Boat Registration and Titling Office within 30 days of the sale or trade.

EXCISE TAX ON CASUAL SALES:

The casual sales of boats and motors between individuals are subject to a five percent state excise tax.  Whenever a boat or motor is involved in a sale between individuals, except members of the immediate family, the purchaser must take a notarized bill of sale to the State Tax Commission and pay the five percent tax.  The Tax Commission will then issue a receipt to the purchaser.  In order to transfer the title or registration of a boat or motor, the new owner must provide the Registration and Titling Office with a copy of this receipt.  The tax may be paid at the Registration and Titling Office if desired.

REPORTING STOLEN WATERCRAFT AND OUTBOARD MOTORS:

The owner of a watercraft or outboard motor which has been stolen should contact Boat Titling and Registration at (803)734-3858 immediately.  Upon contact, an OB Motor / Vessel Theft Report will be mailed to the owner.  Upon receipt of the completed report the boat / motor will be put on record as stolen.  If the watercraft or outboard motor is recovered at a later date, please notify the Department in writing.   For information or forms contact:

Boat Titling and Registration
PO Box 167
Columbia, SC 29202
(803)734-3857

EXEMPTIONS FROM REGISTRATION:

The following boats are exempt from numbering requirements:

1. Vessels documented with the U.S. Coast Guard.
2. Vessels validly registered in another state temporarily using the waters of South Carolina.
3. Vessels from a country other than the United States that are temporarily in South Carolina.
4. Vessels with no propulsion machinery installed or attached.
5. A vessel of the United States and certain other governmental vessels except those for recreational purposes.
6. A vessel's lifeboat if the boat is used solely for lifesaving purposes.  Using a dinghy or lifeboat for recreation or transportation to an from another vessel is not considered a lifesaving purpose.

DISPLAY OF NUMBERS AND DECALS:

The number assigned (and no other) shall be painted on or attached to each side of the bow.  It should be placed so it is clearly visible and legible.  The letters and numbers must be of a plain block design, not less than 3 inches high, and of a color that contrasts with the background (light numbers on a dark hull or vice versa).  The numbers and letters must be vertical (not slanted) and plain (not script or Old English, etc.).  There must be a hyphen or space between the prefix and the numerals and the numerals and the suffix.  The hyphen or space must be at least the width of a numeral (except "1") or any letter (except "I").  Examples of correct displays are:

SC-123-BA
SC 123 BA

Registration decals received must be attached to each side of the vessel's bow immediately following (within six inches) the number, as follows:

Port side:   (BOW OF BOAT)     SC 123 BA [registration decal]

Starboard side:    SC 123 BA [registration decal]     (BOW OF BOAT)

TITLING OF BOATS AND OUTBOARD MOTORS:

All sailboats and motorboats (except vessels documented by the U.S. Coast Guard, rowing and paddle boats, and sailboards), and all outboard motors of five horsepower or larger, used principally in South Carolina, must be titled.  A separate title is required for each.  However, if the vessel has an inboard or inboard-outboard engine, only one title is required.

A fee of $6.00 must accompany each application.

Motorboats have title numbers on the registration cards.  Sailboats are issued decals, which must be displayed on their transoms or crossbars.

Titles are proof of legal ownership.  They also discourage thefts.