It's the Law: On the Water

In addition to the laws mentioned previously, here are some other South Dakota regulations that apply when vessel operators are on the water.

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 include:
  • 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
• Failure to Follow Navigation Rules is not following the navigation rules.
• Improper Speed or Distance is not maintaining a proper speed and/or distance while operating a vessel. Specifically, it is illegal to:
  • Operate a vessel at an excessive speed or too close to other vessels given the waterway traffic, marked speed limits, weather, and other boating conditions.
  • Exceed “slow, no wake speed” in any area marked as “No Wake” with buoys or signs.
  • Exceed any posted speed limits.
  • Operate at a speed that creates a wash or wake that endangers, or causes damage to, others.

“Slow, No Wake Speed” means the slowest possible speed necessary to maintain steering but in no case greater than five miles per hour.

• Insufficient Equipment is operating a vessel that does not have on board the equipment required by South Dakota law (see Required Equipment Checklist).