Charleston sits on a peninsula between the Atlantic Ocean and Charleston Harbor, fed by the Ashley and Cooper Rivers. This unique location provides boaters with access to a variety of different waterways, including saltwater, freshwater, and marsh environments. It's a great place to build a boat charter business and to tap into the local community that loves the boating lifestyle.

All Getmyboat operators must obey all local boating laws and regulations. This includes getting the right permits and registrations, meeting all vessel and captain requirements, using the correct docks and boating areas for commercial activities, and anything else required by your local laws and facility rules.

To help Getmyboat operators comply with all applicable regulations, we have gathered the following essential details for boating in Charleston:

Vessel Registration

All motorboats and other powered watercraft, except for those that are exempt, sailboats, and outboard motors with less than 5 horsepower, must be titled and registered in South Carolina. This applies to both boat owners and renters.

Commercial Insurance

Getmyboat does not provide insurance, so you must have appropriate insurance for your watercraft before renting or chartering it. You can check out our partner, Boat Charter Insurance, who can help you find the right coverage for your commercial boat charter needs.

Captain's License

When operating a boat charter, a USCG captain's license is required. This applies to all open waterways.

  • If you have more than 6 passengers, you need a Master Captain's license.
  • If you have 6 or fewer passengers, you need a 6-pack/OUPV license.

To learn more about how to get a captain's license, visit the Mariners Learning System website. Apply the code GETMYBOAT10 to enjoy a 10% discount.

Boater Education in South Carolina

South Carolina law requires anyone born after July 1, 2007, to have a boating safety certificate, US Coast Guard license, merchant marine credential, or valid boat rental safety certificate to operate a boat, personal watercraft, or specialty propcraft with 10 horsepower or more.

Personal Watercraft Safety Regulations

For personal watercraft (jet skis) and other powered craft:

  • Every person on a PWC must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device (PFD).
  • Persons under 12 years old must wear a PFD when on board any boat under 16 ft in length.
  • Operating rules, such as idle/slow-no-wake speed near shore, and prohibition on boating while under the influence, must all be adhered to.

Commercial Fishing

To commercially fish in South Carolina, you must obtain a commercial saltwater license. You can apply for a license online or at a DNR office. In addition to the license, you may also need to purchase one or more permits, depending on the type of fishing you plan to do.

Passenger Pick Up/ Drop Off:

Many locations permit boat drop-offs and pickups for rentals, and here are a couple with designated passenger areas. Before your arrangements, make sure to confirm the pickup and drop-off policies with the marina or dock.

  • The Harborage at Ashley Marina: Located at 33 Lockwood Dr, Charleston, SC 29401
  • Charleston Harbor Marina: Located at 10 Wharfside St, Charleston, SC 29401

In summary: if you’re operating a charter or rental business around Charleston waterways, you must ensure your vessel is titled and registered per South Carolina law, your captain or operator holds the appropriate USCG credential, any young operators meet the age/education requirements, passengers and PWC riders are wearing proper safety gear, and local pickup/drop-off points are compliant with marina/facility rules. Most importantly, recent statewide updates include the educational requirement for those born after July 1, 2007, and proposed legislation may soon require liability insurance for larger/higher-powered commercial vessels.