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 in a way 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.

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 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 out of the ordinary, and report suspicious activities to the closest authority.