Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of
Boating
Unlawful Operation of a Vessel
Tennessee law states that it is unlawful to operate a watercraft in a reckless, negligent, or dangerous manner. Violations are punishable by a fine of up to $2,500 and up to six months in jail. Specifically, the following operating practices are illegal.
Reckless Operation of a vessel is any act that endangers the life, limb, or property of another person. Examples of illegal, reckless operation are:
- Operating a vessel in a swimming area
- Weaving your vessel through congested waterway traffic
- Steering toward another object or person in the water and swerving at the last possible moment in order to avoid collision or spray others nearby
- Jumping the wake of another vessel in a way that endangers another’s life, safety, or property
- Chasing, harassing, or disturbing wildlife with your vessel
Improper Speed or Distance is not maintaining a proper speed and distance while operating a vessel. Specifically, it is illegal to:
- Operate at an excessive rate of speed in crowded or dangerous areas or during periods of restricted visibility.
- Operate a vessel at greater than “slow, no wake speed” in any areas marked as “No Wake.”
- Operate within 300 feet of a commercial vessel dock at greater than “idle speed.”
- Jump the wake of another vessel within 100 feet of that vessel.
 Riding
on the Bow, Gunwales or
Transom is allowing passengers to ride on a vessel in places where there may be a chance of falling overboard while underway at greater than idle speed.
Unsafe Conditions is operating a vessel in a condition that causes a hazard to the occupants or others on the waterways. For any of these problems, an enforcement officer may instruct the operator to immediately take corrective action or return to the nearest mooring.
- There are insufficient personal flotation devices, fire extinguishers, backfire flame arrestors, ventilation, or navigation lights.
- The vessel is overloaded or overpowered.
- Any other unsafe condition exists.
Boating Near Dams—Beware!
Fishing and boating immediately below any dam is dangerous and should be avoided due to the many hazards that are present. Large volumes of water can be discharged within a matter of seconds through hydroelectric dams due to the demand for electricity or for flood control. Many upstream and downstream areas around dams are designated as restricted areas, and boaters should refrain from entering those areas. In specifically marked areas around dams, life jackets must be worn and should be buckled properly. Hydroelectric dams may sound a siren and/or strobe lights warning people in the area that the water conditions are about to change drastically, and boaters should leave the area.
Cold water released through tributary dams also may be a hazard, even during the summer. Cold-water temperatures (below 77°) can cause cold shock, and short-term swim failure or what is commonly called cold water immersion.
- Take special precautions when fishing below a dam by boat. Water can boil up
suddenly, trapping or capsizing unprepared boaters. Always wear and buckle a
personal flotation device and leave the motor running, even if drift fishing.
- Never anchor your boat in the area below a dam. Never anchor your boat from the stern. A sudden surge of water can pull a boat under and sink it before you have a chance to pull up the anchor and move to safety.
- If a siren sounds or strobe lights flash, immediately move to a safer area.
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