Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of
Boating
Unlawful Operation of a Vessel
Kentucky law states that it is unlawful to operate a watercraft
in a reckless, negligent, or dangerous manner. Specifically, these
operating practices are illegal:
Reckless Operation of a vessel is the failure
to exercise the care necessary to prevent the endangerment of another
person or their property. Examples of illegal, reckless operation
are:
- Weaving your vessel through congested waterway traffic
- Steering toward another object or person in the water and swerving
at the last possible moment in order to avoid collision
- Following behind another vessel that is towing a person(s)
on water-skis, surfboard or similar device
- Cutting between a vessel and the person(s) being towed by that
vessel
- Jumping the wake of another vessel in a way that endangers
another’s life, safety, or property
- Crossing the path of another vessel when visibility is obstructed
- Chasing, harassing, or disturbing wildlife with your vessel
Improper Speed or Distance is not maintaining
a proper speed and distance while operating a vessel. Specifically,
it is illegal to:
- Operate at a rate of speed that endangers the life or property
of any person. Operators are also liable for any danger or damage
produced by their vessel’s wake.
- Operate a vessel at greater than idle speed or slow-no
wake speed in any areas marked as “No Wake.”
- Operate within 50 feet of a commercial vessel and its tow which
is in operation on the waterway, unless the operator of the commercial
vessel has given consent.
- Operate within restricted areas posted above or below navigation,
power generating or flood control dams.
Prohibited Riding is allowing passengers to ride
on a vessel in places where there may be a chance of falling. Specifically,
when operating a vessel above idle
speed, the operator or passengers
may not ride:
- On a covered bow of a vessel
- Outside the protective railing of a pontoon boat or houseboat
- On the gunwales, back, or engine cover of a vessel
- On a seat which extends six inches above the gunwales
- On the back of seats
- On any other dangerous position where there is a chance of
falling overboard
Overloading is defined as loading the vessel
beyond the recommended capacity shown on the capacity plate installed
by the vessel manufacturer.
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