It's the Law: On the Water

Obstructing Navigation

It is illegal to:

• Anchor a vessel in the traveled portion of a river or channel that will prevent or interfere with any other vessel passing through the same area.
• 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.
• Obstruct a pier, wharf, boat ramp, or access to any facility.
• Place an obstruction in the water that is dangerous to others' navigation.
• Cut loose any vessel that is moored or at anchor without the permission of the owner.
• Anchor overnight on any inland body of water.

Homeland Security Restrictions

Help keep our waterways safe and secure.

• 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 of a U.S. Naval vessel for safe passage, you must contact the U.S. Naval 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.
• Keep a sharp eye out for anything that looks peculiar or out of the ordinary. Report all activities that seem suspicious to the Marine Patrol, local authorities, the U.S. Coast Guard, or the port or marina security.