WHO MAY OPERATE A VESSEL IN MASSACHUSETTS
The restrictions below apply to boats propelled by machinery of any type, whether or not the motor is the principal source of propulsion.
- Persons under 12 years of age may operate a motorboat on Massachusetts' waters only if accompanied on board and directly supervised by a competent person 18 years of age or older.
- Persons 12 through 15 years of age may operate a motorboat on Massachusetts' waters only if they:
- Have passed an approved boating safety course or...
- Are accompanied on board and directly supervised by a competent person 18 years of age or older
- Persons 16 years of age or older may operate a motorboat on Massachusetts' waters without restrictions.
RECKLESS OPERATION
The boat operator is responsible for any action that has the potential of endangering life, limb or property. These actions may be deemed reckless, whether intentional or not.
Unsafe Operation
The operation of a vessel may be terminated for any of the following unsafe conditions and the operator may be directed to proceed to a mooring and to remain there until such motorboat or vessel is deemed to be safe.
- a motorboat or vessel being used without required personal flotation, or
- which is in an overloaded or other unsafe condition and
- presents a substantial risk of injury or loss of life by the use of said motorboat or vessel,
- Does not have an adequate number of life jackets or fire extinguishers
- Is not displaying required navigation lights;
- Overloading (check capacity plate information)
- Has fuel leakage from either the fuel system or engine;
- Has an accumulation of fuel in the bilges or in a compartment other than a fuel tank;
- Does not meet the ventilation requirements for tanks and engine spaces; or
- Does not meet the requirements for backfire flame control.
Other Unsafe Practices
- Riding on the Bow or Gunwales without adequate guardrail.
- Failure to follow Navigational Rules.
- Operating a vessel in such a way that it will unnecessarily interfere with the safe navigation of other vessels on the waterway.
- Anchoring a vessel in the traveled portion of a river or channel that will prevent or interfere with any other vessel passing through the same area.
- Moor or attach a vessel to a buoy (except for a mooring buoy), beacon, light or any other navigational aid placed on public waters by proper authorities. Also, it is illegal to move, displace, tamper with, damage or destroy any navigational aid.
SPEED LAWS
Speed Limits
The following speed limits apply:
(a) Motorboats may not exceed 20 mph in the nighttime and 45 mph at any time on the Connecticut River.
(b) Motorboats may not exceed 22 mph within an area bounded by the Rt. 119 overpass in Groton, to the Pepperell Dam, in Pepperell on the Nashua River.
Headway Speed
Motorboats shall not exceed headway speed on the following rivers or portion thereof:
(a) Squannacook River
(b) Nissitissit River
(c) That portion of the Nashua River that extends from the Rt. 119 overpass in Groton, to the Rt. 2A overpass in Ayer.
Connecticut River/Reach
No motorized vessel shall be operated at a speed greater than 15 m.p.h. upon the waters of the Connecticut River starting from a point at the Turner's Falls Dam in the Town of Montague, MA and flowing southerly for approximately 13 miles through the towns of Montague, Greenfield, Deerfield, Sunderland, Whately and parts of Hadley and Hatfield and the terminating at the public access boat ramp in the town of Hatfield.
The operation or use of so called jet ski's, surf jets, wet bikes or similarly styled craft are prohibited upon the waters of the Connecticut River and its tributaries from a point starting at the Turner's Falls Dam in Montague and following southerly for approximately 13 miles through the towns of Montague, Greenfield, Deerfield, Sunderland, Whately and parts of Hadley and Hatfield and terminating at the public access boat ramp in the town of Hatfie.
Proper speed and/or distance while operating a vessel
Specifically, it is illegal to operate any vessel:
- Operating at greater than 45 miles per hour on any inland waters, except on areas otherwise posted.
- At any speed within:
- 150 feet of shorelines used as swimming areas
- Within 75 feet of floats or markers that designate swimming areas
- At a rate of speed that creates a wake that causes damage, injury or excessive rocking to other vessels, rafts or floats.
- At more than headway speed if:
- Within 150 feet of swimmers
- Within 150 to 300 feet of shorelines used as swimming areas
- Within 150 feet of marinas, ramps, rafts or floats
- Where vision is obscured by bridges, bends in the waterway, or by any other reason.
- Operating in a channel, unless channel markers state that higher speeds are allowed.
“Headway Speed” is the minimum speed at which a vessel may be operated and maintain steering, but not to exceed 6 miles per hour.
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