SAFE BOAT OPERATION

Speed

Except for police and fire vessels responding to an emergency, the speed of all power vessels shall be regulated to avoid danger or injury, either directly or by the effect of the wash or wake the vessels raise through their speed or otherwise, to persons or to other vessels, whether these vessels are floating, anchored, or underway to piers, wharves, bulkheads, bridges, or other waterfront construction.

The speed limits specified in this section shall not apply to vessels of the D.C. government or U.S. government that are responding to or engaging in any emergency condition, or to hydrofoil or air cushion vessels or vehicles that are operated for demonstration or experimentation purposes under the authority of a permit issued by the Chief of Police.

Except in the case of an emergency, no power-driven vessel shall be propelled or operated at a rate greater than six (6) statute miles per hour in the Potomac River upstream from Arlington Memorial Bridge, in the Washington Channel upstream from Hains Point, in the Anacostia River upstream from Green Leaf Point to the Benning Road Bridge; or at a rate greater than ten (10) statute miles per hour when passing the wharf area of Alexandria, Virginia.

No operator of any personal watercraft while underway and within one hundred (100) yards of another vessel shall jump any other vessel’s wake while operating or in physical control of watercraft while on the District of Columbia’s waterway.

When two (2) or more personal water operators are operating at a speed greater than ten (10) miles per hour, the operators shall steer their craft so as to be at least twenty-five (25) yards apart from any vessel to include any other personal watercraft.

Except in the case of an emergency or except as otherwise provided by the Mayor, no operator of any personal watercraft shall operate or be in physical control of watercraft at a rate greater than six (6) statute miles per hour between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 12:00 p.m. on the date of the annual Independence Day fireworks display while on the Potomac River between the Arlington Memorial Bridge to the 14th Street Bride, in the Washington Channel from Hains Point, or in the Anacostia River from Green Leaf Point to the Benning Road Bride.

No hydrofoil or air cushion vessel or vehicle shall exceed a speed of ten (10) statute miles per hour in the area between the westerly shore line of the Potomac River and a line one hundred (100) yards east of the parallel to the pierhead line, between Jones Point and First Street, in the City of Alexandria, Virginia.

No hydrofoil or air cushion vessel or vehicle shall exceed a speed of six (6) statute miles per hour in any of the following areas:

• Upstream of the Arlington Memorial Bridge;
• In the Washington Channel; or

OPERATOR AGE & EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Boating education enhances the knowledge of boat operators and is a fundamental component of knowing how to safely, and legally, operate your boat. Over half of the states require proof of passing a boater education safety course in order to legally operate a powerboat or PWC. Even if not required by law, taking a safe boating course will help make your boating experience much more enjoyable, and you may even receive a premium discount on your boat insurance rates.

DC Laws

• No person under eighteen (18) years of age shall operate or navigate any vessel sixteen feet (16 ft.) or more in length of any kind in District of Columbia waters, unless the person has successfully completed a boating safety course approved by the Harbor Master, or unless the person under eighteen (18) years of age is under the supervision of a person who has reached eighteen (18) years of age and who has successfully completed a boating safety course.
• Any person who is operating or navigating any vessel shall have in his or her possession satisfactory evidence of having completed an approved boating safety course, or the person shall make evidence of having completed a boating safety course available to the Harbor Master at the vessel’s launching or berthing point on the shore adjacent to District of Columbia waters.

Age Requirements

No person, or agent or employee of a person, who owns, leases, or controls any wharf, pier, bulkhead; or structure on a wharf, pier, or bulkhead; or waters adjacent to a wharf, pier, or bulkhead; or any basin, slip, dock, waterfront, land under water; or any structure on any of these places shall rent, lease, or hire any vessel to a person who is under eighteen (18) years of age, unless the person under eighteen (18) years of age has successfully completed a boating safety course approved by the Harbor Master, or unless the person will be under the constant supervision of a person at least eighteen (18) years of age who has successfully completed a boating safety course.