Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Unlawful Operation of a Vessel
Idaho law designates these dangerous operating practices as illegal.
Negligent Operation of a vessel is the failure to exercise
the care necessary to protect the rights, safety, or property of
others. Some examples of negligent operation are:
- Boating in an area where buoys or other markers clearly mark a
swimming area or some other restricted area
- Becoming airborne while crossing the wake of another vessel at
an unsafe distance from the vessel creating the wake
- Weaving through congested waterway traffic
- Swerving at the last possible moment in order to avoid a collision
- Causing danger or damage from the wake of your vessel
- Chasing, harassing, or disturbing wildlife with your vessel
Riding on the Bow, Deck, or Gunwale is allowing
passengers to ride on the bow, gunwale, transom,
seat backs, seats on raised decks, or any other place where there
may be a chance of falling overboard.
Courtesy Safety Checks
Idaho boat enforcement officers will perform a courtesy
safety check of your vessel and equipment free of charge.
You can contact your County Sheriff to arrange for a safety
check. If your vessel meets all state requirements, you will
receive an Idaho inspection sticker.
Failure to Regulate Speed is operating at speeds
that are too fast for the operator to bring the vessel to a stop
within an assured clear distance ahead. It is illegal to exceed
any posted speed limits. Specifically, the following acts are illegal:
- Operating at a speed greater than “no
wake speed” (maximum of five miles per hour) while
within 100 feet of a dock, a swimmer, or a person in the water
except when:
- Safely pulling a water-skier from a dock
- Safely dropping a water-skier at or near a dock
- The swimmer or other person in the water is the vessel’s
skier
- Operating at a speed and proximity to another vessel that
requires the other operator to swerve at the last moment to avoid
a collision
Overloading or Overpowering is exceeding the carrying
capacity or power limitations stated on the capacity plate
installed by the vessel manufacturer, even if the vessel is a
kayak or an inflatable raft.
- You must not exceed the maximum allowed number of persons,
maximum allowed pounds of persons, or maximum allowed combined
pounds of persons and equipment.
- If your vessel is powered by an outboard motor, you must not
exceed the allowed horsepower.
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