Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Enforcement

The West Virginia DNR and its conservation officers and all other peace officers enforce the boating laws of West Virginia. U.S. Coast Guard officers also patrol and have enforcement authority on federally controlled waters.

• Officers have the authority to stop and board your vessel in order to check that you are complying with state and federal laws.
• It is illegal to refuse to follow the directive of a person with law enforcement authority. An operator who has received a visual or audible signal from a law enforcement officer must bring his or her vessel to a stop.

Conservation officers of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, U.S. Coast Guard officers, and any other authorized law enforcement officers have the right to stop and board vessels to check for compliance with state and federal laws.