It's the Law: On the Water

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

Unlawful and Dangerous Operation

Washington law states that these dangerous operating practices are illegal: Negligent Operation, Reckless Operation, Overloading or Overpowering a Vessel , Teak Surfing, Assault by Watercraft, and Homicide by Watercraft.

Negligent Operation

Negligent Operation is operating a vessel in a manner that causes danger to the life, limb, property, or rights of any person. This includes:

• Not paying attention to the operation of the vessel
• Failing to keep a proper lookout
• Failing to follow the navigation rules
• Causing danger from the effects of the vessel's wake
• Allowing passengers to ride on the bow, gunwales, or transom of a vessel not equipped with adequate railings to prevent falls overboard

Reckless Operation

Reckless Operation is operating carelessly in a willful and wanton disregard of the rights, safety, or property of another person. It includes:

• Weaving in and out of other vessels, docks, or buoys
• Playing “chicken” with another vessel
• Operating in a marked “No Boats” area such as a swimming or dam spillway area

Overloading or Overpowering a Vessel

Overloading or Overpowering a Vessel is putting too much equipment on a vessel or equipping it with an engine that is too large and powerful, which can cause the vessel to capsize or swamp and put people into cold water. Remember that it is unsafe and a violation to:

• Load your vessel with passengers or cargo beyond its safe carrying ability or to carry passengers in an unsafe manner, taking into consideration the weather and other existing conditions at the time of operation such as traffic or tides.
• Operate a vessel equipped with a motor that is overpowered beyond the vessel's ability to be safely operated. Safe operation includes factors such as the type and construction of the vessel, your boating activity, and other conditions like the weather.
• If it appears to an enforcement officer that the vessel is clearly overloaded or overpowered beyond safe operation and is a hazardous condition, the officer may direct the operator to return to shore and correct the condition before continuing the voyage.

Teak Surfing

Teak surfing, platform dragging, or bodysurfing is holding onto any portion of the exterior of the transom of a power-driven vessel (including the swim platform, swim deck, swim step, or swim ladder), or swimming or floating on or in the wake directly behind the vessel, while the vessel is underway or the engine is idling.

• This does not apply to persons on a platform, step, or ladder briefly while exiting or entering a vessel.
• This law has been passed to aid in the prevention of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Assault by Watercraft

Assault by watercraft is operating a vessel in a reckless manner or while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and injuring another person with serious disfigurement or the loss of a body part or organ.

Homicide by Watercraft

Homicide by watercraft is operating a vessel in a reckless manner or while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and causing the death of another person.