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Course Outline

People swimming in the area designated for swimming; buoy says Swim Area.

Montana law states that it is unlawful to operate a vessel in a reckless, negligent, or dangerous manner. Specifically, these operating practices are illegal.

Negligent or Careless Operation of a vessel is the failure to exercise the care necessary to prevent the endangerment of another person or their property. Examples are:

  • Weaving your vessel through congested waterway traffic
  • Passing unreasonably or unnecessarily close to another vessel
  • Buzzing or wetting down others
  • Motoring through areas restricted for swimming
  • Beaching your vessel within a designated swimming area
  • Crossing or jumping the wake of another vessel within 100 yards of the vessel or within 100 yards of a water-skier or anything being towed by the vessel, except when directly entering or leaving a marina or other docking/loading area
  • A reckless approach to, departure from, or passage by a dock, ramp, diving board, or float
  • Riding on the bow, gunwales, or transom

Harassing Wildlife is using a vessel to kill, capture, take, pursue, concentrate, drive, or stir up any upland game birds, game, or fur-bearing animals. Motor-driven vehicles may not be used to drive, molest, flush, or harass any game animal or game bird while hunting.

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