Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
South Carolina Required Equipment Checklist

indicates the equipment is required by state law.

Required Equipment	Boat Less than 16' (includes PWCs)	Boat 16' to Less than 26'	Boat 26' to Less than 40'
Boating Safety Certification Card
Boating Safety Certification Card: Applicable if operator is under the age of 16 years.
Certificate of Number on Board
Validation Decals Displayed
PFDs: Type I, II, III, or V (one per person)	Those under 12 yrs. must always wear PFD.
PFD: Type IV (one per vessel)	n/a
Type B-1 Fire Extinguisher	(when enclosed compartment)	(when enclosed compartment)	One B-II or two B-I are required.
Horn, Whistle, or Bell
Must carry a whistle or horn or some other means to make an efficient sound signal.
Daytime Visual Distress Signals	n/a	Required if boating on coastal waters of South Carolina	Required if boating on coastal waters of South Carolina
Nighttime Visual Distress Signals
Required if boating on coastal waters of South Carolina between sunset and sunrise.
Navigation Lights
Required if boating between sunset and sunrise and in periods of restricted visibility.