It's the Law: Before Going Out

Enforcement

• The boating laws of South Carolina are enforced by officers of the Law Enforcement Division of the SCDNR, U.S. Coast Guard officers, and any other authorized law enforcement officers. They have the right to stop and board vessels to check for compliance with federal and state laws.
• The U.S. Coast Guard also has enforcement authority on federally controlled waters such as coastal waters, the Great Lakes, territorial seas, and waters which are two miles wide or wider and are directly connected to one of the above.