OTHER LAWS AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

“IDLE SPEED” OR “NO-WAKE - IDLE SPEED”

When you see buoys or signs indicating Idle- or No-Wake Speed, they indicate a boating restricted area established to protect the safety of the public, protection of ecological resources and property. Idle speed means the slowest possible speed, not exceeding five miles per hour, so as to maintain steerage with minimal wake.

VESSEL SPEED RESTRICTIONS

No person operating a motorboat shall approach or pass another boat in a manner, or at a high rate of speed, which creates a hazardous wake or wash . No person shall operate any motorboat less than two hundred (200) feet off of the shoreline, unless they are operating at idle speed. All boats must be operated at 10 miles per hour or less between sunset and sunrise.

MAXIMUM LOADING AND HORSEPOWER

Before operating your vessel, always check the boat’s capacity plate, usually located near the operator’s position or on the boat’s transom. This plate indicates the maximum weight capacity or maximum number of people that the boat can safely carry and the maximum power of the motor that can be installed on the vessel. Never overload and/or overpower your vessel. Since PWCs do not have a capacity plate, always follow the recommended capacity in the owner’s manual and on the manufacturer’s warning decal.

MOORING TO MARKERS OR BUOYS

It is illegal to moor or attach a boat to a buoy (other than a mooring buoy), beacon, light, or any other navigational aid placed on public waters by proper authorities. It is also illegal to move, displace, tamper with, damage, or destroy any navigational aid.