South Carolina § 54-15-280 - Unauthorized pilotage.
Full text of South Carolina South Carolina Code of Laws § 54-15-280 — Unauthorized pilotage., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 54-15-280. Unauthorized pilotage.
No person shall be authorized or permitted to conduct and pilot any vessel, except those excepted in Section 54-15-270, over the bar, into, out of, or within the harbor of any port, unless the person shall be a then currently licensed pilot and no branch pilot shall be authorized to pilot any vessel with a deeper draft of water than his branch. Any person prohibited from pilotage who shall presume to pilot vessels in violation of this prohibition, shall be entitled to no fee, gratuity, or reward for so doing, shall pay the regular pilotage to the group of associated licensed pilots in the port and shall be subject to a fine of five hundred dollars or imprisonment for not more than thirty days. This prohibition shall not prevent any person from assisting any vessel in distress, provided the person shall deliver up the vessel to the first licensed pilot who shall offer to board.
HISTORY: 1962 Code SECTION 56-1428; 1952 Code SECTION 56-1433; 1942 Code SECTION 6704; Civ. C. '22 SECTION 3602; Cr. C. '22 SECTION 234; Civ. C. '12 SECTION 2492; Cr. C. '12 SECTION 398; Civ. C. '02 SECTION 1636; G. S. 1275; R. S. 1376; 1878 (16) 420; 1909 (26) 187; 1958 (50) 1624; 2006 Act No. 237, SECTION 1, eff March 17, 2006.
Effect of Amendment
The 2006 amendment made nonsubstantive language changes.
Source: official South Carolina text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About South Carolina § 54-15-280
What does South Carolina Code of Laws § 54-15-280 cover?
Section 54-15-280 ("Unauthorized pilotage.") is part of the South Carolina Code of Laws, the codified statutory law of South Carolina. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite South Carolina § 54-15-280?
A common citation format is "South Carolina Code of Laws § 54-15-280" (South Carolina). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of South Carolina law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the South Carolina official source linked on this page or consult a licensed South Carolina attorney.
How does South Carolina § 54-15-280 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in South Carolina can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in South Carolina.