S.C. Code Ann. § 54-7-30

Any person, not empowered, who shall enter or try to enter forcibly on board any ship or vessel stranded or cast away or in distress or molest in the preservation thereof may be repelled by force. And any person who shall carry away or secrete any goods and effects saved as aforesaid shall forfeit and pay treble the value, to be recovered by the owner of such goods or his agent in any court of competent jurisdiction in this State.