Boating Laws By State

[Sixmark]

I have noticed a flood of questions regarding boating laws and definitions of those laws here on the forum.

While it's nice for people to throw in their past experiences with those laws, people still need to understand that different states have different laws, that is why they print out boating regulation handbooks every year.

The laws may change so they add a page with the changes in the manual. My suggestion, especially to new boaters is to read that manual before you even touch the water with your boat. The operator of the boat is ultimately responsible for knowing the laws on the waterways they operate on, and saying "I didn't know" isn't going to be an excuse in court.

For the experienced boaters....don't become complacent and think that you know the laws so you don't need to bother having the handbook, they are free and can be obtained anywhere you get a boat or fishing license.

After you are done looking through it, put it in the glovebox and have anyone else that is thinking of operating your craft read it before you turn over the wheel to them.

If people come onto the forum here looking for people to explain the laws they may not get the right information because so many of us are in different locations and the laws are not uniform.

Be safe, have fun, and save the money spent on tickets for bait, food, and a midday BBQ.

 

[Bob's Garage]

Re: Boating Laws By State

I agree with both the information and the sentiment.

I would also like to add that a lot of the questions being presented here indicate that the Poster(s) needs to take an in-class Boaters Safety Course, either Power Squadron or Coast Guard Aux.

By attending a proctored class they can ask questions of actual boaters and receive real information and not just a "certificate of completion".

This information can go a long way to saving their lives and the lives of their family and friends, and improve everyone's enjoyment of the boating experience.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Boating Laws By State

Agree, nothing to add.

 

[V153]

Re: Boating Laws By State

Agreed. It is the duty of the captain to familiarize himself with the surroundings, and the law(s), wherever he may boat.

I kinda like the fact that different areas have different rules. Helps keep the captain's brain in gear. Heaven forbid we all had to toe the line to some one size fits all zero tolerance bs.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: Boating Laws By State

Here's the Universal Law for All States:
Don't argue with the cop. That's what court is for.

 

[Brewman61]

Re: Boating Laws By State

Don't argue with a cop if you want any chance of avoiding a ticket, anyway. That pretty much seals your fate.

 

[shrew]

Re: Boating Laws By State

Here's the Universal Law for All States:
Don't argue with the cop. That's what court is for.

Here's the Universal Law for All States:
Don't argue with the cop. That's what court is for.

Be familiar with the local laws, and understand navigation and the rules of navigating around other boats (all covered in both the local rules and a boating course) and you will rarely find yourself having to speak with a leo to begin with.

 

[Brewman61]

Re: Boating Laws By State

Be familiar with the local laws, and understand navigation and the rules of navigating around other boats (all covered in both the local rules and a boating course) and you will rarely find yourself having to speak with a leo to begin with.

Unless you of course have Deputy Fife patrolling the waterway looking for any and every excuse to initiate a stop. Thankfully on our lake the sheriff replaced him mid summer last year with Sheriff Taylor, who has a much more reasonable demeanor.

 

[Ned L]

Re: Boating Laws By State

The last time I ended up in a 'disscussion" with the local state marine police I ended up educating them & finally got them to understand had nothing on me --- after I got them to check COLREGS, after about 20 minutes.

I see no reason why something like COLREGS shouldn't be open for discussion here? Nothing local about them & a LOT of people don't understand the rights from wrongs. They are also easilly referenced so 'opinion' can be screened out quickly.

 

[Sixmark]

Re: Boating Laws By State

The last time I ended up in a 'disscussion" with the local state marine police I ended up educating them & finally got them to understand had nothing on me --- after I got them to check COLREGS, after about 20 minutes.

I see no reason why something like COLREGS shouldn't be open for discussion here? Nothing local about them & a LOT of people don't understand the rights from wrongs. They are also easilly referenced so 'opinion' can be screened out quickly.

I never said anything about NOT discussing the laws, what I said was that people can get the wrong information here on the forum if they are talking to someone who is not familiar with the laws of the local area.

The point being that individual states can and will implement some of their own laws, and the boaters in those waters need to educate themselves on those laws by actually aquiring the material provided by the state.

 

[shrew]

Re: Boating Laws By State

The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972 (COLREGS) are published by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and set out, inter alia, the "rules of the road" or navigation rules to be followed by ships and other vessels at sea in order to prevent collisions between two or more vessels.[1][2] COLREGS can also refer to the specific political line that divides inland waterways (subject to one set of navigation rules) and coastal waterways (subject to international navigation rules).


I agree that COLREGS are well open for discussion (though not really debate), however State regulations are unrelated to COLREGS. For example, States vary in certain req's, like how many anchors are required based on size of boat. Whether a boat needs a bell, and if so at what size. Requirements for boater cert (some require proctored exams), age of operation. Whether a smoke alarm/Co detector are required.

 

[V153]

Re: Boating Laws By State

Unless you of course have Deputy Fife patrolling the waterway looking for any and every excuse to initiate a stop. Thankfully on our lake the sheriff replaced him mid summer last year with Sheriff Taylor, who has a much more reasonable demeanor.

Google "water nazi" and you'll see the FWC guy we had to deal with a few years back. Tim Erickson is/was a world classhole. Though thankfully he never messed with me much.

My deepest personal opinion stems from the day I witnessed him pull over two teenage girls on jestskis. Other than having registration stickers that expired the month before I didn't see any crime being committed. In his overbearing, condescending way he had these girls reduced to tears with threats of confiscating the skis, taking them to jail, etc etc. Grandpa was called and it was confirmed that he had in fact renewed his registration(s), read "tax", and that the new stickers were at his house.

Not a cop hater, per se. Have a degree in Criminal Justice. Get along just fine with the county & city boys. But the feds are a whole new ball game. In addition to being devoid of compassion and/or mebbe a sense of humor. They got a big chip on their shoulder & they aim to use it.

Having said that the situation has improved since the water nazi's departure, but not all that much ...