Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Unlawful Operation of a Vessel
Utah law states that these dangerous operating practices are
illegal:
Negligent Operation is willfully or negligently operating a vessel or manipulating water-skis or other devices in a manner that causes danger to the life, limb, or property of any person. This includes:
- Not paying attention to the operation of the vessel.
- Failing to keep a proper lookout.
- Failing to observe the navigation rules.
- Failing to display the proper navigation lights when boating at night.
- Operating in a manner or at a speed that exceeds safe and reasonable limits under the existing circumstances.
- Operating at a rate of speed that creates a wake that causes damage or injury.
- Operating such that your vessel collides with another vessel or object.
- Attempting to spray others with the wake of your vessel.
Improperly Riding on the Bow, Gunwales or Transom is allowing passengers to ride on the bow decking, gunwales, transom, seatbacks, or motor cover of a motorized vessel while underway at greater than a slow - wakeless (idle) speed, unless the vessel is at least 16 feet in length and equipped with adequate rails or other safeguards to prevent a person from falling overboard. Passengers may ride on the bow of a vessel, except on Lake Powell, if they straddle an upright support on the rail and do not block the operator’s view.
Overloading or Overpowering is loading or powering the vessel beyond the recommended load and power limits shown on the capacity plate installed by the vessel manufacturer.
Unsafe Condition is operating a vessel in a condition that causes danger to the occupants or others on the waterways. Law enforcement officers may prohibit the launching of the vessel or stop the vessel from operating if:
- The vessel is overloaded.
- There are insufficient personal flotation devices, fire extinguishers, backfire flame arrestors, ventilation or navigation lights.
- The vessel is unseaworthy.
Speed and Proximity
Violating speed and proximity is not maintaining a proper speed
or distance while operating a vessel. Specifically, it is illegal
to operate a vessel:
- At greater than a slow – wakeless (idle) speed in any posted no wake zone.
- At greater than a slow – wakeless (idle) speed within 150 feet of:
- Another vessel.
- A person in or floating on the water.
- A water-skier being towed by another vessel.
- A person fishing from the shore.
- A launching ramp or dock.
- A designated swimming area.
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