Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Unlawful Operation

South Dakota law states that these dangerous operating practices are illegal.

Reckless Operation of a vessel is operating in a manner that causes danger to the life, limb, or property of any person. Examples of reckless operation are:

• Weaving a vessel through congested waterway traffic
• Jumping the wake of another vessel unreasonably close to the other vessel or when visibility around the other vessel is obstructed
• Waiting until the last possible moment to swerve and avoid collision

"slow, no wake speed"—The slowest possible speed necessary to maintain steerage, but in no case greater than five miles per hour

Careless Operation of a vessel is operating in a way that creates undue hazard to others. Examples of careless operation include:

• Operating in such a way that creates an undue hazard to other boats, swimmers, and persons on shore by its wash or wake.
• Operating at speeds that are unreasonable for the time, place, and surrounding conditions.
• Operating at unreasonable speeds or water-skiing in harbors, near bathing beaches, docks, landings, piers, anchorages, anchored boats, or fishing boats. Speed is reasonable when it does not create an undue hazard or cause damage to others.

Insufficient Equipment is operating a vessel that does not have on board the equipment required by South Dakota law.

Remember ... As an owner of a vessel, you are responsible if you allow others to operate your vessel in an illegal manner.