Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Enforcement

South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks officers and all other law enforcement officers enforce the boating laws of South Dakota. U.S. Coast Guard officers also patrol and have enforcement authority on federally controlled waters.

• Officers have the authority to stop and board your vessel in order to check that you are complying with state and federal laws.
• 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 an immediate stop.

South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks officers and all other officers with law enforcement authority have the right to stop and board vessels in order to check for compliance with state and federal laws.