(A124, R130, H3308)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 50-21-10, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO DEFINE "WAKE SURF"; AND TO AMEND SECTION 50-21-870, RELATING TO PERSONAL WATERCRAFT SAFETY, SO AS TO INCREASE DISTANCE LIMITS BETWEEN A WATERCRAFT OPERATING IN EXCESS OF IDLE SPEED UPON CERTAIN WATERS OF THIS STATE AND A WHARF, DOCK, BULKHEAD, OR PIER.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

Definitions

SECTION     1.     Section 50-21-10 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding an appropriately numbered item to read:

"( )     'Wake surf' means to operate a vessel that is ballasted in the stern so as to create a wake that is, or is intended to be, surfed by another person."

Personal watercraft and boating, applicability

SECTION     2.     Section 50-21-870(B)(6) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(6)(a)     operate a personal watercraft, specialty propcraft, or vessel while upon the waters of Lake Greenwood, Lake Hartwell, Lake Jocassee, Lake Keowee, Lake Marion, Lake Monticello, Lake Murray, Lake Robinson, Lake Russell, Lake Secession, Lake Thurmond, Lake Wateree, Fishing Creek Reservoir, Parr Reservoir, or the portion of the Savannah River from the Interstate 20 Savannah River Bridge to the New Savannah River Bluff Lock and Dam in excess of idle speed within one hundred feet of a wharf, dock, bulkhead, or pier or fifty feet of a moored or anchored vessel or person in the water;

(b)     operate a personal watercraft, specialty propcraft, or vessel while upon all other waters of this State in excess of idle speed within 50 feet of a moored or anchored vessel, wharf, dock, bulkhead, pier, or person in the water, or within 100 yards of the Atlantic Ocean coast line. The prohibitions contained in this item do not apply to an unoccupied, moored vessel or watercraft or to a person behind a vessel or watercraft who is on water skis or a floating device with the permission of the operator of the vessel or watercraft;

(c)     the provisions of this item do not apply to Lake Moultrie;"

Personal watercraft and boating, prohibitions

SECTION     3.     Section 50-21-870(B) of the 1976 Code is amended by adding an appropriately numbered item to read:

"(     )     wake surf in excess of idle speed within two hundred feet of a moored vessel, wharf, dock, bulkhead, pier, or person in the water."

Time effective

SECTION     4.     This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Ratified the 9th day of March, 2022.

Approved the 14th day of March, 2022.

This web page was last updated on March 23, 2022 at 3:15 PM