Who needs a Hobby Diver License? Anyone wishing to collect artifacts and fossils on a recreational, non-commercial basis from state waters needs to obtain a Hobby Diver License. This includes all inland navigable waters, suchas rivers, creeks, and waterways. This jurisdiction begins at the mean low water mark. The state also has jurisdiction of offshore waters out to three statute miles. Why is having a Hobby Diver License important for collecting archaeological information? The information submitted under the Hobby Diver Program is very useful to state archaeologists in determining the range of artifacts and shipwrecks located within South Carolina waters. What is the difference between a fossil and an artifact? An artifact is anything made or used by man, whereas a fossil is mineralized or petrified remains of an animal or plant, or its impression in stone. Mineralized shark teeth and fish vertebrae are fossils. Bottles, ceramics, coins, tobacco pipes, artillery, and projectile points are artifacts. How much information do I need to include in my report? A detailed description of any distinguishing features of artifacts, and precise locations of finds is information that greatly helps improve SCIAA’s knowledge. Images of the artifact also helps to determine the objects potential archaeological significance. How many of the artifacts that I find under the Hobby Diver License can I keep? If a quarterly report listing the location, type and quantity of finds is submitted to SCIAA in the case of artifacts, and to the South Carolina State Museum in the case of fossils, within ten days following the end of the calendar year in which the activities took place, the diver can keep 100% of his or her finds. Divers are also required to keep their finds for at least sixty days after sending in their report so that SCIAA or the State Museum has the opportunity to study or evaluate the recovered objects. If I do no collecting, do I still need to file reports? Yes. Simply mark the box “No Recoveries Made During This Quarter” and send the form in as usual. What does SCIAA do with the reports? Each report is reviewed and recorded on the diver’s record in the diver database. SCIAA may follow up on a report of an interesting artifact by requesting that a photo or drawing of the item be submitted. Should the diver report visiting a site that may be of archaeological interest, SCIAA staff may decide to visit the site with the reporting diver. What happens if a Hobby Diver fails to submit reports? A licensed hobby diver who consistently fails to submit timely reports will not be allowed to renew his or her license when it expires. Should the diver continue to collect without a license, he or she is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, can be fined. Are there any special conditions for collecting from shipwrecks? Yes. Only ten artifacts per day may be recovered from a shipwreck site. Divers are not allowed to remove structural fittings, fastenings, or timbers from a wreck. The quarterly report must include an accurate location of the site and a drawing of where the artifacts were found on the wreck. Federally-owned vessels in state waters are exempt from collecting, for instance USS Patapsco, USS Dai Ching, among others. Federal regulations prohibit disturbance of these shipwrecks and carry stiff fines and penalties for activities that adversely impact the site. Are Hobby Divers allowed to use air lifts or dredges to expose finds underwater? No. Only surface collecting is allowed, which must be done by hand, without the aid of mechanized equipment. Are Hobby Divers allowed to use buoyancy equipment like air bags to recover heavy artifacts? No. The only permissible buoyancy equipment is a personal buoyancy compensator. How can a diver legally collect artifacts for commercial purposes? By obtaining an Intensive Survey License and/or Data Recovery License from SCIAA. Divers may obtain an application for this type of license from the Columbia office. Any project proposals and questions should be directed to Christopher Amer.