It's the Law: On the Water
In addition to the laws mentioned previously,
here are some other Missouri regulations that apply when vessel operators are on the water.
Negligent, Reckless, and Other Illegal Operations
Missouri law designates these dangerous operating practices
as illegal.
Reckless Operation
Reckless operation of a vessel or the reckless manipulation of water skis, a wakeboard, or similar device is the failure to exercise the care necessary to prevent the endangerment of life, limb, or property of any person. Examples of illegal, reckless operation are:
- Boating in restricted areas without regard for other boaters or persons, posted speeds and wake restrictions, diver-down flags, etc.
- Boating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Chasing, harassing, or disturbing wildlife with your vessel
Overloading
It is illegal to load a vessel beyond the recommended
capacity shown on the capacity plate installed by the vessel manufacturer.
 Riding on the Bow, Deck, or Gunwale
Allowing passengers to ride on the bow, gunwale, transom, seat backs, seats on raised decks, or any other place where there may be a chance of falling overboard is prohibited unless the vessel has adequate guards or a railing. Guards or railings must be at least 6 inches high (not to exceed 18 inches in height) to be considered adequate.
Improper Speed or Distance
A proper speed or distance must be maintained while operating a motorboat or PWC or while towing a person on water skis or any similar device. Specifically, it is illegal to:
- Operate a motorboat or PWC at speeds that may cause danger, injury, damage, or unnecessary inconvenience. Be aware of and obey all regulatory markers, including those marked as "idle speed" or "no wake."
- Operate a motorboat or PWC at speeds greater than "idle speed" or "slow, no wake speed" within 100 feet of:
- A dock or pier
- An occupied, anchored vessel
- A buoyed restricted area
Exceeding Night Speed Limit
It is illegal to operate a motorboat or PWC in excess of 30 miles per hour at any time from a half-hour after sunset until one hour before sunrise when on waters of the Mississippi River, Missouri River, or lakes with a shoreline of more than 160 miles (Bull Shoals, Lake of the Ozarks, Mark Twain, Smithville, Stockton, Table Rock, Truman, and Wappapello).
Violating Skier-Down Flag Requirement
Violating the skier-down flag requirement is the failure to display the skier-down flag properly or the failure to keep a proper distance from a displayed skier-down flag. Click here for more information.
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