Skip to main content

Course Outline

Boat creating a wake

Louisiana law designates the following dangerous operating practices as illegal.

Careless Operation is failing to operate a vessel in a careful and prudent manner and thereby endangering the life, limb, or property of any person. Examples of illegal, careless operation are:

  • Causing danger or damage from the wake of your vessel
  • Operating a vessel at speeds that may cause danger, injury, or damage; be aware of and obey all regulatory markers

“No Wake” Zones: In a “no wake” zone, vessels must be operated at “bare steerage speed” and produce no wake.  “No wake” zones have been established on all Louisiana waterways within 300 feet of:

  • A boat ramp that is open to the general public
  • A dock adjacent to a boat ramp that is open to the general public
  • Unit 4 of 6
  • Topic 3 of 19
  • Page 2 of 4