§ 326. Requirements for rental and leasing agents
(a) A person or his agent or employee engaged in the business of renting or leasing motorboats, not exceeding thirty days, may not rent or lease a motorboat to any person for operation on the waters of the Virgin Islands, unless the person: (1) meets the provisions of section 322 or section 323 of this […]
§ 327. Personal flotation device required
All vessels must be equipped with U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device. Each PFD must be in good condition, the proper size for the intended wearer, and must be readily accessible. Readily accessible means an individual must be able to put the PFD on in a reasonable amount of time in an emergency. (a) No […]
§ 328. Mandatory wear of personal flotation devices (PFD) by children
No person may operate a recreational vessel on the waters of the Virgin Islands with any child under the age of seventeen years, unless each child is wearing an appropriate Type I or Type II personal flotation device as outlined in section 327 of this chapter.
§ 329. Enforcement
Every peace officer in the Virgin Islands and such officers and employees of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, as may be designated by the Commissioner, may enforce the provisions of this chapter, and in the exercise this enforcement authority may stop and board any vessel subject to this chapter.
§ 330. Penalties
(a) Any person who violates any provision of sections 324, 325, 326 or 327, of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor and is subject to a fine of $500 for each violation. (b) Any person who violates any provision of section 328 of this title is guilty of a misdemeanor and is subject to […]
§ 324. Proof of compliance
(a) A person who is operating a motorboat on any waters of the Virgin Islands and is stopped by a peace officer in the enforcement of this chapter, or the rules adopted under this chapter, shall present to the peace officer proof that he meets the requirements of section 322, or that he is exempt […]
§ 325. Altered, forged, counterfeit or falsified boating education certificate
(a) No person may alter, forge, counterfeit or falsify a boating safety identification card, certificate, license, or temporary operating permit or other document required under section 324. (b) No person may be in possession of a boating safety identification card certificate, license, temporary operating permit or other document required under section 324 which has been […]
§ 301. Regattas, races, marine parades, tournaments or exhibitions
(a) The Commissioner may authorize the holding of regattas, motorboat or other boat races, marine parades, tournaments or exhibitions on any water of this territory. He shall adopt and may, from time to time, amend regulations concerning the safety of motorboats and other vessels and persons thereon, either observers or participants. Whenever a regatta, motorboat […]
§ 302. Owner’s civil liability
The owner of a vessel shall be liable for any injury or damage occasioned by the negligent operation of such vessel, whether such negligence consists of a violation of the provisions of the statutes of this territory, or neglecting to observe such ordinary care and such operation as the rules of the common law require. […]
§ 303. Enforcement
(a) Every peace officer in the Virgin Islands, including enforcement officers of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, shall have the authority to enforce the provisions of this chapter, and in the exercise thereof shall have the authority to stop and board any vessel, subject to this chapter. (b) The powers, duties and authority […]