Negligent Operation

Massachusetts law designates the following dangerous operating practices as illegal.

Reckless or Negligent Operation of a vessel is the failure to exercise the degree of care necessary to prevent endangering the of life, limb, or property of any person. Examples of reckless or negligent operation are:

• Operating at high speed or erratically in congested waterway traffic
• Operating such that your vessel or another vessel must swerve abruptly or cut speed in order to avoid collision
• Operating near or through areas being used by swimmers or divers
• Operating such that your vessel collides with another vessel, object, or person
• Operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Cutting through a regatta or marine parade in progress
• Operating between sunset and sunrise without displaying navigation lights
• Chasing or harassing wildlife with your vessel