OPERATION OF VESSELS

Reckless Operation

Utah law states that these dangerous operating practices are illegal: Negligent or reckless operation, operating in an exclusionary zone, overloading, improper speed or distance, unsafe condition, and failure to follow navigation rules.

Riding on the Bow or Other Exterior Parts of a Boat:

• No one may operate a motorboat above a wakeless (idle) speed with passengers or operator sitting on seat backs, bow decking, gunwales, transom, or motor cover unless there are adequate rails that would prevent a person from falling overboard.
• Passengers may not ride on the bow, except in designed seats of motorboats less than 16 feet long when operating above a wakeless (idle) speed.
• Passengers may ride on the bow of a boat 16 feet or longer, except on Lake Powell, if they straddle an upright support on the rail without blocking the operator’s view.

Negligent Operation:

No person may operate any vessel, or manipulate any water skis, aquaplane, or similar device in a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.

Negligent Operation of a Vessel by a Minor:

The owner of a vessel is liable for any injury or damage caused by the negligent operation of his vessel by a minor under 18 years of age when operating his vessel with the express or implied consent of the owner.

Vessel Speed and Distance Requirements

• Utah’s Speed and Proximity Law states that a wakeless (idle) speed is required within 150 feet of another boat, a person in or floating on the water, a water skier towed by another boat, a shore angler, a launch ramp, a dock, or a designated swimming area.
• A wakeless (idle) speed is required within an area designated as a “Slow, No Wake” zone.
• A wakeless (idle) speed means an operating speed at which the vessel does not create or make a wake or white water trailing the vessel. This speed is not to be in excess of five (5) miles per hour.
• The operator of a motorboat is responsible for any damage and/or injury caused by the wake produced by his vessel.

Maximum Loading and Horsepower

• It is illegal to load or power your boat in excess of the maximum capacity information stated on the United States Coast Guard capacity label or in the manufacturer’s owners manual for the vessel. This includes a total weight of persons, motor, and gear, or the total number persons on board.
• Each vessel manufactured after November 1, 1972, which is less than 20 feet in length, except a sailboat, canoe, kayak, inflatable vessel, or homemade motorboat must have a United States Coast Guard capacity and certification label permanently affixed to the vessel and clearly visible to the operator when boarding or operating the vessel. The capacity and certification information may be combined together and displayed on one label.
• It Is Illegal to alter, deface, or remove a United States Coast Guard capacity or certification information label affixed to a vessel.

Mooring to Markers or Buoys

• It is illegal to moor, tie up, or anchor to a regulatory or channel marker, except for a mooring buoy.
• A mooring buoy is white and is designated with a blue band, which is at least three inches wide and encircles the buoy halfway between the waterline and the top.

Interference with Navigation

It is illegal for any person to:

• Remove, destroy, or damage any waterway marker authorized to be placed by an appropriate federal agency or by Utah State Parks and Recreation.
• Place any permanent or anchored objects on the waters of this state without written authorization by an appropriate federal agency or by Utah State Parks and Recreation.
• Place any waterway marker, except a diver's flag, without written authorization by an appropriate federal agency or by Utah State Parks and Recreation.