New Mexico Boating Handbook Table of Contents

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• New Mexico State Parks

Boating Basics

Boating Basics: Before Going Out

• Vessel Length Classes
• Vessel Capacity
• Fueling a Vessel
• Fuel Selector Switch on a PWC
• Preventing Theft
• Trailering Your Vessel Safely
• Filing a Float Plan
• Sample Float Plan

Boating Basics: On the Water

• Encountering Other Vessels
• Navigation Rules
• Nighttime Navigation
• U.S. Aids to Navigation System (ATON)
• Weather Emergencies
• Other Boating Emergencies

Boating Basics: Specifically for PWCs

• Steering and Stopping a PWC
• Ignition Safety Switches
• Reboarding a Capsized PWC
• Courtesy When Encountering Other Vessels
• Environmental Considerations
• Other PWC Considerations

It's the Law!

It's The Law: Before Going Out

• Registering Your Vessel
• Where to Title and Register
• Other Facts about Titling and Registration
• Buying and Selling a Vessel
• Registration and Titling Fees
• Hull Identification Number
• Mandatory Boater Education and Operator Age Requirements
• Marine Events
• Enforcement

It's The Law: Required Equipment

• Personal Flotation Devices
• Navigation Lights
• Fire Extinguishers
• Ventilation Systems
• Backfire Flame Arrestors
• Mufflers
• Visual Distress Signals
• Sound-Producing Devices
• Diver-Down Flags
• Skier-Down Flag
• Emergency Equipment

It's The Law: On The Water

• Unlawful Operation
• Obstructing Navigation
• Homeland Security
• Alcohol and Drugs
• Boating Accidents
• Discharge of Waste
• Discharge of Trash
• Discharge of Oil and Other Hazardous Substances

It's the Law: Specifically for PWC Operators

• Requirements for PWCs
• Sharing Your PWC

It's the Law: Specifically for Skiing

• Towing Skiers
• Hand Signals for Skiers

State Park Regulations

• New Mexico's State Park System
• Criminal Offenses
• Definitions
• Delegation
• Restricted Areas
• Hours
• Day Use
• Overnight Camping
• Use of Facilities
• Parking
• Vehicle Traffic
• Off-Highway Motor Vehicles
• Swimming
• Skin or Scuba Diving
• Horseback Riding
• Firearms and Bows
• Ice Skating and Ice Fishing
• Noise Limitations
• Conduct
• Pets
• Littering
• Abandoned Property
• Fees and Charges
• Permits and Passes
• Prohibition of Alcoholic Beverages
• Metal Detecting

Additional Information

• New Mexico Required Equipment Checklist
• New Mexicon State Parks Division Offices

Where to Find Additional Information

The Handbook is designed to be a guide to New Mexico’s boating laws and park regulations. Information in the handbook does not replace what is specifically legal for boating or park use in New Mexico, which is found in New Mexico Statutes (state laws), federal laws, and the New Mexico Administrative Code (state regulations). The publication Boat New Mexicon—A Course on Responsible Boating gives additional information on safe boat handling and practices.

For more advanced information, see:

• U.S. Coast Guard’s Navigation Rules
• Chapman Piloting Seamanship and Boat Handling by Elbert S. Maloney
• The Annapolis Book of Seamanship by Mark Smith and John Rousmaniere.

To stay up-to-date on new boating laws, contact the Boating Safety Section of the New Mexico State Parks Division: call 505-476-3390 or visit www.nmparks.com.

References to the actual statutes and regulations are shown beside the appropriate sections within “It’s the Law.” For example: (66-12-4 NMSA 1978) refers to New Mexico Statutes Annotated 1978, Section 66-12-4. (BAR 8.4) refers to New Mexico Administrative Code, Chapter 17, Part 2 (known as “Boat Act Regulations”), Section 8.4.