It's the Law: On the Water

Obstructing Navigation

It is illegal to:

• 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.

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 for safe passage, you must contact the vessel or the U.S. Coast Guard escort vessel on VHF-FM channel 16.

• Observe and avoid all security zones. Avoid commercial port 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 channels.
• Report all activities that seem suspicious to the local authorities or the U.S. Coast Guard.