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.

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| Washington law requires that all new and used power-driven
vessels sold within Washington (other than PWC) display an
approved carbon monoxide
warning sticker on the
interior of the vessel. |
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.
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