South Carolina § 50-21-210 - Definitions.

§ 50-21-210. Definitions.

(A) For the purposes of this article:

(1) "Abandoned vessel" means a vessel that:

(a) is wrecked or junked;

(b) does not have a visible identifier; and

(c) remains on the waters of the State, or on public property adjacent thereto, for at least ten consecutive days from the day an abandoned vessel notice is posted on the vessel.

(2) "Derelict vessel" means a vessel that:

(a) is wrecked or junked;

(b) has a visible identifier; and

(c) remains on the waters of the State, or on public property adjacent thereto, for at least twenty-one consecutive days from the day a derelict vessel notice is posted on the vessel.

(3) "Junked" means substantially stripped of vessel components, or spaces on the vessel that are designed to be enclosed are open to the elements.

(4) "Registered owner" means a person listed as the owner on a state's vessel registration records or on a United States Coast Guard certificate of documentation.

(5) "Responsible party" means a person who has the rights to the possession and use of a vessel.

(6) "Visible identifier" means:

(a) a hull identification number;

(b) a vessel registration number of this State or another state; or

(c) a vessel name and home port.

(7) "Wrecked" means listing due to water intake or hull damage, or aground and cannot be extracted without mechanical assistance.

HISTORY: 2025 Act No. 22 (S.367), SECTION 1, eff May 8, 2025.