BOAT OPERATION

Reckless or Negligent Operation

Reckless or Negligent Operation is operating any vessel or manipulating any water skis or similar device in a manner that causes danger to any person, property, or wildlife.

Examples of reckless or negligent operation include:

• Operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Entering a marked swimming or all-boats prohibited area with a vessel
• Operating a vessel in violation of restrictions as given by buoys or signs marking an area
• Failing to observe the navigation rules
• Weaving through congested waterway traffic
• Jumping the wake of another vessel too close to that vessel
• Swerving at the last possible moment to avoid a collision
• Operating such that you collide with another vessel, object or person
• Chasing wildlife with your vessel.

Improper Speed

Improper Speed or Distance is not maintaining a proper speed or distance while operating a vessel.

Specifically, it is illegal to:

• Operate a vessel at greater than no wake speed in any posted no wake zone or within 200 feet of any boat ramp, boat dock, boat storage, and concessionaire's facilities
• Operate a vessel within 200 feet of any marked swimming area
• Cause damage or unnecessary inconvenience from the wake of your vessel.

Improper Use is operating a vessel for purposes other than fishing or hunting in areas marked as fishing areas or hunting areas.

As an owner of a vessel, you are responsible for any injury or damage caused by the reckless or negligent operation of others you allow to use your vessel.

Boating And General Restrictions

• Motorized vessels on state fishing lakes must be operated for fishing or hunting purposes only unless otherwise authorized by the department;
• Motorized vessels on state lakes must be operated at no wake speeds if required by posted notice;
• Vessels left unattended at other than a designated moorage or storage site or vessels not in conformity with posted notice provisions or restrictions for moorage or storage sites will be subject to removal.
• No person shall operate any motorboat or vessel or manipulate any water skis, surfboard or similar device in a reckless or negligent manner so as to endanger the life or property of any person.
• No person shall manipulate any water skis, surfboard or similar device while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or both.
• No person shall operate any motorboat or vessel for pleasure riding or pull any water skis, surfboard or similar device in any waters of this state marked by buoys or otherwise designated as a mooring, launching, fishing or hunting nonboating area by a county or other political subdivision or by the secretary, except that a motorboat or vessel used for fishing may be operated in a mooring or launching nonboating area.
• No person shall operate or moor a vessel within a water area which is marked, by buoys or some other distinguishing device, as a bathing or swimming area or as an all-boats-prohibited area.
• No person shall operate a vessel for purposes other than fishing in areas marked by buoys or otherwise designated as fishing areas, and no person shall operate a vessel for purposes other than hunting in areas marked by buoys or otherwise designated as hunting areas, and in areas designated for combined use of fishing and hunting, vessels may be used for both purposes unless prohibited by federal law.

200-foot Rule

• Vessels shall not be operated within 200 feet of any area posted specifically for swimming and delineated by buoys or other markers;
• Vessels must be operated at no wake speeds within 200 feet of a boat ramp, boat dock, boat storage or concessionaire's facilities;

24-hour Rule

• Vessels may be moored or stored in excess of 24 hours only at sites designated for moorage or storage of vessels.

CAPACITY PLATE AND OPERATION

A capacity plate, once installed on a vessel, may not be removed, defaced, replaced, or altered.

A vessel may not be operated with a motor which exceeds the maximum horsepower of the motor as specified on the capacity plate or more passengers or cargo beyond the safe passenger and cargo carrying capacity of the vessel.

Overloading or Overpowering is loading or powering the vessel beyond the safe load and horsepower limits, taking into consideration weather and other operating conditions. The safe load and horsepower limits for most vessels are shown on the capacity plate installed by the vessel manufacturer.