Reckless Operation

Reckless operation of a boat or PWC is the disregard for the safety of persons or property. Examples of are:

• Water skiing or dropping water skiers close to swimmers, launching ramps or other boaters
• Jumping the wake of another boat within 100 feet of that boat or buzzing other boats
• Causing damage from the wake of your boat

Improper Distance is not maintaining a proper distance while operating a boat or PWC or towing a person on water skis or any similar device. Specifically, it is illegal to:

• Operate a boat or PWC or tow a person on water skis or any similar device at greater than idle speed within 100 feet of a:  
  -  Moored or anchored boat or any boat adrift
  -  Dock, pier or bridge
  -  Person(s) in the water
  -  Shoreline adjacent to a full - or part-time residence
  -  Public park or beach or a swimming area
  -  Marina, restaurant or other public use area
• Run around or within 100 feet of another boat at greater than idle speed unless you are overtaking or meeting the other boat in compliance with the rules for encountering other boats
• Follow closely behind another boat, jump the wake of the other boat or change course or direction in order to jump the wake of another boat

"Idle Speed" means to operate your boat or PWC at the slowest speed at which it is still possible to maintain steering control.
 
Failure to Regulate Speed is operating a boat or PWC at speeds that may cause danger, injury, damage, or unnecessary inconvenience either directly or by the effect of the boat’s wake. It is illegal to:

• Fail to regulate your speed near swimming areas, docks, moored boats and boats engaged in fishing
• Operate a boat or PWC faster than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions (weather, boat traffic)

Overloading is loading the boat beyond the recommended capacity shown on the capacity plate installed by the boat manufacturer.

Riding on Bow or Gunwale is illegal if the boat is not equipped with a railing or some other retaining device. As a boat operator, you are prohibited from allowing your passengers to ride on the bow or gunwale.

Obstructing Navigation

It is illegal to:

• Anchor a boat in the traveled portion of a river or channel that will prevent or interfere with any other passing boat
• Moor or attach a boat to a buoy, beacon, light, or any other navigational aid placed on public waters by proper authorities. Also, it is illegal to move, displace, tamper with, damage, or destroy any navigational aid
• Obstruct a pier, wharf, boat ramp or access to any facility