REGATTAS, SHOW BOATS, AND WATER SPORTS

The Mayor is authorized to regulate the holding of regattas, races, marine parades, marine tournaments, marine exhibitions, and similar aquatic events which by their nature, circumstance, or location will introduce extra or unusual hazards to the safety of life on any District of Columbia waters; and to promulgate regulations relating to the safety of vessels, any persons on vessels, either participating in or observing those activities.

• No regatta, race, marine parade, marine tournament, marine exhibition, or similar aquatic event shall be held in District of Columbia waters without a permit issued by the Mayor.
• An application for a permit shall be filed at least thirty (30) days prior to the proposed aquatic event; and shall include the date, time, and location of the proposed aquatic event, and any other information that the Mayor may require.
• Nothing contained in this section shall be construed as exempting any person from complying with any other applicable federal or District of Columbia law or regulation.
• Securing a permit from a U.S. government agency shall not exempt a person from obtaining the permit required.

Show Boats, Floating Night Clubs, and the use of boats for Housing

No vessel that is used, or is intended for use, as a show boat, restaurant, floating night club, or other place of amusement may anchor or operate in District of Columbia waters, or tie up to any wharf or other place in District of Columbia waters, without prior approval of the Mayor.

• Vessels obtaining permission to operate shall comply with all applicable federal and District of Columbia laws and regulations.
• In making decisions governing the operation or anchoring of vessels described in this section, the Mayor shall comply with the D.C. Administrative Procedure Act.
• Except as otherwise provided by the Mayor by regulation, no vessel or floating construction that is anchored or moored in District of Columbia waters, or that is docked or berthed at any of the wharves, piers, bulkheads, or other works on any part of the waterfront properties adjacent to any waters under the jurisdiction of the District of Columbia, shall be used for multi-family dwelling purposes.

Water Sports

When water contact sports are allowed under District of Columbia laws and regulations, no person shall operate a vessel on any District of Columbia waters for towing a person or persons on water skis, aquaplanes, surfboards, or similar devices, nor shall any person engage in water skiing, aquaplaning, surfboarding, or other similar activities, unless there is in that vessel a person, in addition to the operator, of not less than twelve (12) years of age who is in a position to observe the progress of the person or persons being towed.

No person shall operate a vessel on any District of Columbia waters for towing a person or persons on water skis, aquaplanes, surfboards, or similar devices, nor shall any person engage in water skiing, aquaplaning, surfboarding, or other similar activities, at any time during the night.

Does not apply to a performer engaged in a professional exhibition authorized under a permit issued by the Mayor.

No person shall swim or dive from any vessel that is turning into or from any anchorage or docking, or getting underway from any anchorage.

No person shall swim or dive in the marked channels of the harbor, or from any bridge, wharves, or piers in or adjacent to those channels.

No person shall swim or dive within one hundred (100) yards of any vessel that is loading or discharging passengers or freight.

Except as permitted by the Harbor Master under safe conditions, no person shall engage in any recreational activities that include, or may result in, direct physical contact with ice on District of Columbia waters. These activities shall include, but not be limited to, walking on the ice, ice skating, ice sledding, ice boating, ice fishing, and the use of a vehicle or other device on the ice.

Activities prohibited under § 1039.7 shall not include the use of vessels, diving for non-recreational purposes as governed by Title 24 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations, or fishing from the shore or any structurally sound piers, wharves, bulkheads, or other works located in District of Columbia waters.

No person shall throw, push, or drop any vehicle, animal, device, debris, waste, or matter onto the ice on District of Columbia waters; nor shall any person permit or cause any matter to come into contact with the ice on District of Columbia waters.