Service of process upon the Director of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, as agent of the nonresident operator of any vessel as defined in § 50-21-10 in the waters of this State as defined in § 50-21-10, shall be made by leaving a copy thereof, with a fee of four dollars, in the hands of the director or his office and such service shall be sufficient service upon the nonresident if notice of the service and a copy of the process are forthwith sent by certified mail by the plaintiff or the director to the defendant and the defendant’s return receipt and the plaintiff’s affidavit of compliance herewith are appended to the summons or other process and filed with the summons, complaint and other papers in the cause. The director shall keep a record of all processes which shall show the day and hour of service upon him. When the certified return receipt shall be returned to the director, he shall deliver it to the plaintiff on request and keep a record showing the date of its receipt by him and its delivery to the plaintiff.