S.C. Code Ann. § 54-7-815: Excavation or salvage of certain sunken warships unlawful.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person may excavate or salvage any sunken warship submerged in the waters of the Atlantic ocean within three miles of the South Carolina coast where there are, or it is believed that there are, human remains without the approval of the State Department of Administration. A person violating this section is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined in the discretion of the court or sentenced to a term of imprisonment not to exceed five years, or both.