South Carolina Code 50-25-1310. Restrictions on the use of watercraft
(1) There is established a no wake zone within three hundred feet of all bridges and public docks. No wake zones must be clearly marked with signs. The signs must be designed and installed by the department.
Terms Used In South Carolina Code 50-25-1310
- Boat: means a vessel. See South Carolina Code 50-21-10
- Department: means the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources unless otherwise stated. See South Carolina Code 50-5-15
- Fishing: means all activity and effort involved in taking or attempting to take fish. See South Carolina Code 50-5-15
- Operate: means to navigate, steer, drive, or be in control. See South Carolina Code 50-21-10
- Vessel: means every description of watercraft, other than a seaplane regulated by the federal government, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water. See South Carolina Code 50-21-10
- Watercraft: means anything used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on the water but does not include: a seaplane regulated by the federal government, water skis, aquaplanes, surfboards, windsurfers, tubes, rafts, and similar devices or anything that does not meet construction or operational requirements of the state or federal government for watercraft. See South Carolina Code 50-21-10
(2) No boat, watercraft, or any other type of vessel may be operated, anchored, moored, docked, or otherwise may enter within five hundred feet of any pump station, water intake of a dam, or hydroelectric generator outfall, or spillway. These restricted areas must be clearly marked with signs. Signs must be designed and installed by the Spartanburg Water System. Boats, watercraft, and other vessels operated for law enforcement, emergency medical services, or dam maintenance and repair are exempted from this requirement.
(3) No boat, watercraft, or any other type of vessel may operate or anchor within one hundred fifty feet of public fishing piers.
(4) No sailing craft with a mast height in excess of thirty feet is permitted to operate.
(5) No wading, bathing, or swimming is permitted within two hundred feet of any public landing, bridge, or restricted area. These restricted areas must be clearly marked with signs. The signs must be designed and installed by the Spartanburg Water System.
(6) The lake wardens, at their discretion, may limit entrance of boats, watercraft, or any other type of vessel onto the lakes via the public landings when conditions such as overcrowding or adverse weather create an unsafe boating environment.