Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Unlawful Operation of a Vessel
California law states that these dangerous operating practices
are illegal:
Reckless or Negligent Operation of a vessel is the failure
to exercise the care necessary to prevent the endangering of life,
limb, or property of any person. Examples include, but are not
limited to:
- Maneuvering towed skiers or devices so as to “buzz” or
spray others or pass the towline over another vessel or skier
- Navigating a vessel, skis, or other devices between a towing
vessel and its tow(s)
- Jumping or attempting to jump the wake of another vessel within
100 ft. of the other vessel
- Operating at high speed or erratically in congested waterway
traffic
- Operating such that your vessel or another vessel must abruptly
swerve or abruptly cut speed in order to avoid collision
- Operating near or through areas being used by swimmers or divers
- Operating such that your vessel collides with another vessel,
object or person
- Chasing or harassing wildlife with your vessel
Improper Speed or Distance is not maintaining a proper
speed and/or distance while operating a vessel. Specifically, it
is illegal to operate any motorized vessel:
- At speeds that are not reasonable and prudent based on boating
traffic, weather conditions, visibility or other potential hazards
(if no limits are posted, operate your vessel so that it does
not endanger others and that you are able to stop your vessel
safely)
- At more than slow – no
wake speed within posted “No Wake” areas
- Such that it causes damage to a person or property with a vessel’s
wake in posted “No Wake” areas
- At more than 5 miles per hour:
- Within 200 feet of swimming areas, diving platforms,
passenger landings, or areas where vessels are moored
- Within 100 feet of swimmers
Riding on Bow or Gunwales is allowing passengers to ride
on the bow, gunwales,
or any other place where there is a danger of falling overboard,
or in a position or manner that is obviously dangerous. This provision
does not apply to a vessel’s crew when anchoring or mooring,
or in the necessary management of a sail.
Unsafe Condition is operating a vessel in a condition that
causes danger to the occupants or others on the waterways. Law
enforcement officers may instruct the operator to take immediate
corrective action or return to shore if any unsafe conditions exist
such as:
- Inadequate number of life jackets or fire extinguishers
- Failure to display navigation lights after sunset
- Fuel leakage or excessive fuel accumulation in bilges or engine
compartment
- Lack of proper ventilation of engine spaces
- Failure to meet carburetor backfire flame arrestor requirements
- Excessive leakage or accumulation of water in the bilge
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