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2017 South Carolina Code of Laws
Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft
CHAPTER 21 - EQUIPMENT AND OPERATION OF WATERCRAFT
Section 50-21-111. Reckless operation of water device; offense; penalties.

Universal Citation: SC Code § 50-21-111 (2017)
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(A) A person who operates any water device in such a manner as to indicate either a wilful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless operation.

(B) Reckless operation includes, but is not limited to, weaving through congested vessel traffic at more than idle speed; or jumping the wake of another vessel within two hundred feet of that vessel; or crossing the path or wake of another vessel when the visibility around the other vessel is obstructed; or maintaining a collision course with another vessel or object and swerving away in close proximity to the other vessel or object.

(C) A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than one hundred dollars nor more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days.

(D) A person convicted of reckless operation, in addition to any other penalties, shall be required by the department to attend and complete a boating safety education program approved by the department. The person required to attend the program shall reimburse the department for the expense of the program. A person's privilege to operate a water device within this State shall be suspended until successful completion of the required program.

A person's privilege to operate a water device within this State shall be suspended by the department for a period of ninety days upon conviction of a second offense of reckless operation of a water device within a five-year period. Following the ninety-day suspension, the person's privilege shall remain suspended until successful completion of a boating safety education program approved by the department. The person required to attend the program shall reimburse the department for the expense of the program.

HISTORY: 1999 Act No. 124, Section 2.D.

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