Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Enforcement
Massachusetts Environmental Police officers, harbormasters, police
officers assigned to harbor patrol, fish and game wardens, and
state police officers enforce the boating laws of Massachusetts.
Town police and harbormasters also may enforce local recreational
boating laws. The U.S. Coast Guard patrols and has enforcement
authority on federally-controlled waters.
- Officers have the authority to stop and board any recreational
vessel at any time to check equipment and registration and to
positively identify the vessel operator.
- It is illegal to refuse to follow the directive of a person
with law enforcement authority. An operator who has received
a visual or audible signal from a law enforcement officer must
bring his or her vessel to a stop.
- Officers may arrest, without warrant, anyone in violation,
or believed to be in violation, of the boating laws of Massachusetts.
- Officers empowered to enforce state boating laws and U.S.
Coast Guard officers enforcing federal laws may terminate the
use of vessels if they find an “unsafe
condition”.
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