South Carolina Names New Boating Law Administrator
The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) welcomes Captain Lee Ellis as the new boating law administrator (BLA) for the state of South Carolina.
As Boating Law Administrator, Captain Ellis will serve as South Carolina's primary representative and point of coordination for boating law administration, boating safety enforcement, and related initiatives at the state, regional, and national levels. He will work with state and federal partners, boating safety organizations, and law enforcement agencies to advance boating safety and enforcement initiatives throughout South Carolina.
Captain Ellis has more than 36 years of South Carolina law enforcement experience, including the past 26 years with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Throughout his career with SCDNR, Ellis has served in a variety of leadership and administrative positions and has developed extensive experience in law enforcement administration, training, technology, grants management, accreditation, communications, records, and statewide boating safety programs.
Ellis currently serves as Captain over Law Enforcement Administration for the SCDNR Law Enforcement Division, where he oversees a broad range of administrative and operational support functions for the agency. His responsibilities include oversight of grants, accreditation, records and technology, communications, the statewide Body-Worn Camera Program, and other programs supporting the Division's law enforcement mission.
Captain Ellis holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in human resource management. He is a graduate of the University of Louisville Southern Police Institute Command Officer Development Program and the 2025 National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) Leadership Academy.
His education and professional experience provide a strong foundation for leading South Carolina's boating law administration program and working collaboratively with the many agencies and organizations responsible for protecting the state's waterways.
Ellis succeeds Deputy Director Chisolm Frampton, who has served as Boating Law Administrator since 2012. During his tenure, Frampton provided longstanding leadership in boating safety and enforcement and represented South Carolina in national boating law administration and safety initiatives.
“Captain Ellis brings extensive law enforcement leadership experience, a strong understanding of the SCDNR Law Enforcement Division, and a demonstrated commitment to boating safety,” said Chisolm Frampton, Deputy Director of Law Enforcement. “His experience and recent completion of the NASBLA Leadership Academy position him well to continue South Carolina's strong tradition of leadership in boating safety and enforcement.”
“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve South Carolina as Boating Law Administrator,” said Captain Lee Ellis. “South Carolina's waterways are an important part of our state's economy, recreation, and quality of life. I look forward to working with our law enforcement partners, boating safety organizations, and the boating public to continue improving boating safety, education, and enforcement throughout the state.”
South Carolina has more than 30,000 miles of navigable waterways and thousands of registered recreational vessels, making boating safety a critical component of the state's public-safety mission. The Boating Law Administrator works closely with partners to promote responsible boating, reduce boating-related incidents, and support effective enforcement of South Carolina's boating laws.
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division is responsible for enforcing the state's laws and regulations relating to natural resources, boating safety, and public safety on South Carolina's waterways. SCDNR conservation officers provide statewide law enforcement services while educating the public and protecting South Carolina's natural resources and citizens.