It's the Law: On the Water with Your Vessel

Unlawful Operation (625 ILCS)

Illinois law states that these operating practices are illegal:

• Careless Operation (625 ILCS 45/5-1) of a vessel is operating in a careless manner that causes danger to any person or property, or operating at speeds greater than that which allows the operator to bring the vessel to a stop within an assured clear distance ahead.
• Reckless Operation (625 ILCS 45/5-2) of a vessel or the reckless manipulation of water-skis, a surfboard, or similar device is operating in a manner that causes danger to the life, limb, or property of any person. Examples are:
• Weaving your vessel through congested waterway traffic
• Jumping a wake of another vessel unreasonably close or when visibility around the other vessel is obstructed
• Waiting until the last moment to swerve and avoid collision
• Operating a vessel in a manner to create hazardous wave or wake conditions while approaching or passing another boat
• Overloading or Overpowering (625 ILCS 45/5-4 and 45/5-6) is operating a vessel that has been loaded beyond the recommended carrying capacity or powered beyond the horsepower limits shown on the capacity plate installed by the vessel manufacturer.
• Operating in Restricted or “No Wake” Areas (625 ILCS 45/5-7 and 45/5-12) is not maintaining a proper speed and/or distance while operating a vessel. Specifically, it is illegal to:
• Operate a vessel within an area that has been clearly marked as a bathing, fishing, swimming, or restricted area
• Operate a vessel within 150 feet of a public launching ramp at greater than a slow–no wake speed
• Exceed a slow–no wake speed in any area marked with buoys or signs as “No Wake”

“No Wake” - A speed at which the vessel does not produce a wake, not to exceed 5 miles per hour

• Riding on Bow or Gunwales (625 ILCS 45/5-21) is allowing a passenger to ride on the decking over the bow or stern, gunwales, or tops of seat backs of a motorized vessel unless the passenger is within guard rails to prevent falling overboard.
• Failure to Follow Navigation Rules (625 ILCS 45/5-13) is not following the navigation rules below.