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Boating Rules and Regulations |
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Boating Rules And Regulations - What You Need To Know To Stay
Safe And Out Of Trouble When You’re On The Water!
By Mike Fisher
Before you start looking through the boat classified ads for a
new boat for sale or even a used boat for sale, so you can get
out on the water as soon as possible, you should stop to
consider getting familiar with the basic boating rules and
regulations. These may affect the type of boat you buy and how
you plan to use it. Although boating almost rhymes with
partying, they are not one in the same. The number of registered
boaters continues to rise each year and although the number of
fatal accidents has seemed to level off over the past few years,
the amount of boating congestion and traffic hasn’t. Each year
it seems as though there are more and more boaters on our inland
waters and major gateways and your local county law enforcement
is now consistently monitoring them for improper boating
operation. Below are some of the key boating rules and
regulations you should be familiar with, if you prefer to stay
out of the clink, so to speak.
Age requirements: Persons must have attained the age of 14-16
years to operate a motorboat with an engine size greater than 15
horsepower. Persons between the ages of 12-15 may operate a boat
provided he or she is accompanied by an adult. This regulation
varies from state to state, so check your local authority.
Boating in Restricted Areas - Restricted areas are normally
marked with buoys, beacons or diver down flags. Be careful to
check for restricted areas at your local DNR launch site or
steer clear of marked areas.
Slow-No Wake Zone: Marked zones require that you operate your
boat as to not create a wake.
Riding on Bow: It is illegal to ride on the bow, unless
equipped with seating, or gunwale of a boat that is traveling at
speeds greater than slow-no wake speed.
Improper Distance: It is illegal to operate a boat when
traveling greater than slow-no wake speeds within 100 feet of a
shoreline in water less than 3 feet deep, any moored or anchored
vessel, any dock or raft, a marked swimming area. Personal water
crafts must stay at least 200 feet from any Great Lakes shore
and not cross within 150 feet of another vessel.
Failure to Regulate Speed: It is illegal to operate a boat at
speeds that could cause danger to property or life or speeds
that make it impossible for you to safely manage your vessel
including;
- speeds greater than 55mph on small inland lakes
- faster than reasonable speeds in severe conditions
- speeds greater than slow-no wake speeds with persons riding
on bow
Reckless Operation: Includes operation your vessel that
endangers the safety of others or the property of others. For
example; weaving your boat through congested waterways, jumping
the wake of another boat, driving close to another vessel with
restricted visibility, chasing or harassing wildlife or causing
damage from the wake of your boat.
Pulling Skiers: Towing skiers must only be done during daylight
hours. That means from dawn until dusk. It is unlawful to pull
skiers from sunset to sunrise. Boats towing skiers must be
equipped with a wide angle rearview mirror or have another
person on board, 12 years or older, to observe the skier.
PWC (Personal Watercraft) - Operation and Regulations: applies
to Jet Skis and other types of watercraft that the user sits on
or stands on as opposed to sits in.
- each occupant must wear a life preserver or life jacket
- if equipped with a kill switch – cord must be attached to the
driver
- inflatable life jackets are not acceptable or approved for
PWC’s
- can only be operated during daytime hours and cannot be used
from sunset to sunrise
- must maintain at least 50 foot distance from other objects
including boats, shore, docks, swimmers unless moving at no-wake
speed
- jumping the wake of another vessel or driving excessively
close is unlawful
- it is unlawful to operate the vessel in a designated area for
bathing, fishing, swimming or in a restricted area
- operated the vessel while intoxicated (blood alcohol content
of 0.08 or higher)
- it is unlawful to operate the vessel within 50’ of a diver
down flag
Note: there are additional requirements and regulations for PWC
– personal watercraft. (Jet skis, etc.) See your local state
DNR, Secretary of State for applicable rules and regulations.
Alcohol and Drugs: In some states, alcohol is involved in as
much as 25% of boating accidents. It is illegal to operate your
boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It is also
illegal for the owner of a boat to allow another person who is
under the influence of alcohol or drugs to operate their boat.
In most states, if you have a blood alcohol level in excess of
0.1 % you are guilty of a misdemeanor. In some states it’s
0.08%. If you’re BAL is 0.07%, your local Sheriffs deputy can
apply other tests to determine if you are under the influence.
Your blood alcohol level is dependent on your weight, your
metabolism and how much food is in your stomach. Heavier persons
or persons that have recently eaten will have a higher tolerance
to the effect of alcohol.
Blood Alcohol levels - FOR REFERENCE ONLY
For a medium size adult male weighing approximately 175lbs his
blood alcohol level will be as follows;
1 drink in ½ hour - .016
2 drinks in 1 hour- .032
3 drinks in 1.5 hours- .048
4 drinks in 2 hours- .064
5 drinks in 2.5 hours- .08
6 drinks in 3.5 hours - .096
For a large size adult male weighing approximately 225 lbs;
1 drink in ½ hour - .01
2 drinks in 1 hour- .02
3 drinks in 1.5 hours- .03
4 drinks in 2 hours- .045
5 drinks in 2.5 hours- .06
6 drinks in 3.5 hours - .067
Blood Alcohol Levels and How it Feels Physically:
.02 – relaxed feeling
.05 – less alert and physical coordination and impairment
starts
.07 – legally intoxicated in many states
According to this reference data, it’s clear that a few drinks
over a period of a few hours maybe enjoyed and managed, but 4 or
more drinks regardless of your size puts you and others at risk.
So as they say on TV – don’t drink and drive and if you choose
to drink – do so responsibly.
About the Author: boatisher mike is a
longtime boater and a writer for http://www.BoatFisher.com. Find
your next boat at http://www.BoatFisher.com or list your boat
for sale for only $19.95 until it sells! Also, find boat covers,
boat trailers, boat electronics and more at
http://www.boatfisher.com
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