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South CarolinaS 0367126th General Assembly (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING ARTICLE 2 TO CHAPTER 21, TITLE 50 ENTITLED "ABANDONED VESSELS, DERELICT VESSELS, AND SUNKEN VESSELS" SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT ABANDONED VESSELS, DERELICT VESSELS, AND SUNKEN VESSELS ARE PUBLIC NUISANCES; TO DEFINE TERMS; TO ESTABLISH THE PENALTIES FOR A PERSON THAT CAUSES OR ALLOWS A VESSEL TO BECOME AN ABANDONED VESSEL OR A DERELICT VESSEL AND THE PENALTIES FOR INTENTIONALLY OR RECKLESSLY CAUSING A VESSEL TO SINK; TO EXTEND THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF CERTAIN MUNICIPALITIES FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENFORCING THE ARTICLE; TO ESTABLISH THE PROCEDURE FOR DECLARING CERTAIN VESSELS ABANDONED OR DERELICT; TO REQUIRE THE REMOVAL OF A DERELICT VESSEL WITHIN FOURTEEN DAYS AND TO PROVIDE FOR ITS REMOVAL; AND TO REQUIRE THE DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF A WEBSITE AND APPLICATION FOR THE REPORTING OF CERTAIN VESSELS; BY REPEALING SECTION 50-21-190 RELATING TO ABANDONED WATERCRAFT; BY REPEALING SECTION 50-23-205 RELATING TO THE SEIZURE OF CERTAIN WATERCRAFT; AND BY REPEALING SECTION 50-21-10(1) RELATING TO THE DEFINITION OF ABANDON.

Sponsored By: George E. "Chip" Campsen III (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Summary

Abandoned Vessels, Derelict Vessels, and Sunken Vessels

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.

Tough penalties for problem boats

The law makes abandoned, derelict, and sunken boats public nuisances. It is illegal to let a boat reach that state or to intentionally or recklessly sink a boat, except for approved reef sinkings. Violators face fines up to $10,000, up to 60 days in jail, and must pay all removal and disposal costs. Cities that border navigable waters can enforce these rules one mile beyond the high‑water mark. Fines help fund boat removals. These rules take effect May 8, 2025.

Sunken boat removal deadlines and costs

If a boat had a notice before it sank, the responsible party must remove it before the date it would be declared abandoned or derelict. If there was no prior notice, they must remove it within 21 days, or within 45 days if they give a real removal plan within 21 days. After those deadlines, anyone may remove a sunken, abandoned, or derelict boat without liability. Removers can sue within three years to recover removal and disposal costs, plus attorney’s fees and court costs. These rules do not apply to submerged archaeological historic property. Effective May 8, 2025.

Clear notices and deadlines for boats

Officials must check for a visible ID, post a notice, and file a report in the state app within 24 hours. A boat with no visible ID that stays 10 days after notice is "abandoned." A boat with an ID that stays 21 days after notice is "derelict." Owners who submit a real removal plan within 14 days of a derelict notice get the notice removed. If the boat is still wrecked or junked after 30 days, a new derelict notice is posted and no more plans are allowed. Listing boats may be moved right away without liability. These procedures apply beginning May 8, 2025.

Old boat rules repealed

The law repeals older sections on abandoned watercraft, seizure rules, and the old definition of "abandon." The new article now controls these issues statewide. Effective May 8, 2025.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • George E. "Chip" Campsen III

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 145 • No: 0

House vote • 5/1/2025

(Abandoned Vessels, Derelict Vessels, and Sunken Vessels)Passage of Bill

Yes: 105 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/25/2025

(Abandoned Vessels, Derelict Vessels, and Sunken Vessels)2nd Reading

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Act No. 22

    5/16/2025legislature

  2. Effective date 05/08/25

    5/16/2025legislature

  3. Signed By Governor

    5/8/2025Governor

  4. Ratified R 38

    5/6/2025legislature

  5. Read third time and enrolled

    5/2/2025House

  6. Unanimous consent for third reading on next legislative day

    5/1/2025House

  7. Roll call Yeas-105 Nays-0

    5/1/2025House

  8. Read second time

    5/1/2025House

  9. Committee report: Favorable Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs

    4/29/2025House

  10. Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs

    4/3/2025House

  11. Introduced and read first time

    4/3/2025House

  12. Read third time and sent to House

    3/27/2025Senate

  13. Roll call Ayes-40 Nays-0

    3/25/2025Senate

  14. Read second time

    3/25/2025Senate

  15. Committee Amendment Adopted

    3/25/2025Senate

  16. Committee report: Favorable with amendment Fish, Game and Forestry

    3/19/2025Senate

  17. Referred to Committee on Fish, Game and Forestry

    2/20/2025Senate

  18. Introduced and read first time

    2/20/2025Senate

Bill Text

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