It's the Law: On the Water

Obstructing Navigation

It is illegal to:

• Operate any vessel in such a way that it will interfere unnecessarily with the safe navigation of other vessels.
• Anchor a vessel in the traveled portion of a river or channel in a way that will prevent or interfere with any other vessel passing through the same area.
• Moor or attach a vessel to a buoy (other than a mooring buoy), beacon, light, or any other navigational aid placed on public waters by proper authorities.
• Move, displace, tamper with, damage, or destroy any navigational aid.
• Obstruct a pier, wharf, boat ramp, or access to any facility.
• Fail to obey the navigation rules.
• Fish or sunbathe on docks where vessels are being launched or are otherwise in use by boaters.

If you are operating a power-driven vessel in narrow channels or on fairways of the Western Rivers and are heading upstream (against the direction of the current), all vessels coming toward you from the opposite direction have the right-of-way and you must give way as necessary to permit safe passing.

Homeland Security Restrictions

• Do not approach within 100 yards and slow to minimum speed within 500 yards of any U.S. Naval vessel. If you need to pass within 100 yards of a U.S. Naval vessel for safe passage, you must contact the vessel or the USCG escort vessel on VHF-FM channel 16.
• Observe and avoid all security zones. Avoid commercial port operation areas, especially those that involve military, cruise-line, or petroleum facilities.
• Observe and avoid other restricted areas near dams, power plants, etc.
• Do not stop or anchor beneath bridges or in the channel.
• Keep a sharp eye out for anything out of the ordinary, and report it to the closest authority.