RECKLESS OPERATION, NEGLIGENT, OR GROSS NEGLIGENT 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.
- Bow riding.
- Damage caused by the wake of his/her boat. Know the location of no wake zones and what minimum distances you are allowed to operate a boat near docks, piers, boathouses, boat ramps and people in the water.
- Not carrying the required safety equipment.
- Crossing hazardous inlets and bars.
- Excessive speed
Reckless Operation in Tennessee
Reckless operation is defined as any act which endangers life, limb or property.
Examples of reckless operation are:
- Operating a vessel in swimming areas.
- Riding on seatbacks, gunwales, transoms or pedestal seats while above an idle speed.
- Excessive speed in crowded areas, dangerous areas or during restricted visibility.
- Operating an overloaded vessel.
- Towing a skier in a crowded area where a fallen skier is likely to be hit by other vessels or towing in areas where the skier is likely to strike an obstacle.
- Using a personal watercraft to jump the immediate wake of another vessel.
Violations are punishable by a fine of $2500 and six months in jail. Additionally, the Coast Guard may impose a civil penalty of up to $5,000 and imprisonment of one year
Owner's Responsibility
The owner of a vessel may be responsible for any injury or damage done by his or her vessel whether the owner is present or not. This shall not hold true if the vessel is used without the owner's consent.
SPEED LAWS
Slow-No Wake
Vessels operating in areas designated as “Slow-No wake” shall be governed by the following definitions;
- “Slow-No wake” shall be defined as a vessel traveling at or below idle speed, or at such speed that the boat or its wake (waves) is not sufficient to cause possible injury or damage to other persons, boats, or property.
Vessels may not be used, operated, or anchored in such a way that interferes with or blocks vessel traffic in designated channels.
- Unless otherwise marked, all vessels operating within 300 feet of a commercial boat dock must do so at a slow wake speed regardless of whether or not the area is marked by buoys.
TWRA ACCESS AREAS
Additional laws apply in TWRA Access Areas. The following acts are strictly prohibited:
- Disorderly conduct.
- The use of intoxicants or other behavior-modifying substances.
- The use of firearms except during regular hunting season.
- Target shooting.
Swimming from or near boat ramps or in a way that interferes with boat launching or recovery.
NAVIGATION AIDS AND REGULATORY MARKERS
All aids and markers except those placed by an authorized representative of the Federal Government must be authorized by the Wildlife Resources Agency.
Permission to establish private aids or markers on state waterways by groups, individuals, municipalities, or other groups must be obtained by written request to the Executive Director of the Wildlife Resources Agency.
- This shall include, but not be limited to, slalom courses and other special purposes aids, markers, or structures.
- Any unauthorized buoy, aid, marker, or structure is subject to immediate removal by the Wildlife Resources Agency.
Mooring or fastening watercraft to any buoy or marker is prohibited except in case of emergency.
Removal of any buoy or marker by any unauthorized personnel is prohibited.
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