§ 69-9-201. Short Title
This chapter shall be cited as the “Tennessee Boating Safety Act of 1965.”
§ 69-9-202. Public Policy
It is the policy of the state to: Promote the safety of persons and property in and connected with the use of vessels; Achieve, so far as practicable, uniformity of laws, regulations, requirements, procedures and methods with respect to the numbering, operation and equipment of all vessels subject to this chapter; Foster the development, use […]
§ 69-9-203. Enforcement and Administration of Chapter — Disposition of Funds — Rewards for Information on Violations
It is the sole duty and responsibility of the Tennessee wildlife resources agency to enforce and administer this chapter. All expenses required for the administration and enforcement of this chapter shall be paid for with funds collected pursuant to this chapter. All moneys collected under this chapter shall be deposited in the state treasury and […]
§ 69-9-204. Chapter Definitions
As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires: “Agency” means the wildlife resources agency; “Anchored” means held in place in the water by an anchor; “Boat” means any vessel: Manufactured or used primarily for noncommercial use; Leased, rented, or chartered to another for the latter’s noncommercial use; or Engaged in the carrying of […]
§ 69-9-205. Duties of Executive Director
The executive director shall: Plan, and submit to the commission, programs for the education of the public in boating safety, for the assignment of identification numbers to motorboats, for the regulation of vessels subject to this chapter, and for the enforcement of this chapter including related cooperation with other agencies and commissions of this state […]
§ 69-9-206. Identification Numbers for Vessels — Exceptions
Every vessel propelled by sail or machinery, or both, upon the waters of Tennessee shall be numbered for identification in accordance with this chapter and the regulations of the commission except: A vessel that has a valid document issued by the bureau of customs of the United States, or any federal agency successor to the […]
§ 69-9-207. Issuance of Certificates of Number — Fees — Renewal
No person shall operate or give permission for the operation of any vessel on the waters of Tennessee unless the vessel is numbered in accordance with this chapter. The owner of every vessel required to be numbered by this chapter shall file an application for a number with the agency on forms approved by the […]
§ 69-9-208. Who May Issue Certificates — Disposition of Fees
The agency will issue certificates of number directly or may authorize any official in the state, who is presently authorized to issue automobile license plates, to issue certificates of number. In conformity with this chapter and any rules and regulations that may be validly issued by the commission, the agency may assign to each issuing […]
§ 69-9-209. Rules and Regulations
The commission shall establish uniform regulations governing the numbering, the safety equipment, and the operation of the vessels subject to this chapter so that any such vessel complying with the regulations may be operated with equal freedom, or under similar requirements, upon all the waters of Tennessee. Safety and operational regulations shall not be in […]
§ 69-9-210. Reporting of Boating Accidents — Rendering of Assistance
Whenever any vessel operating upon the waters of Tennessee is involved in an accident, it is the duty of the operator, so far as the operator can do so without serious danger to the operator’s own passengers, guests, crew, the operator or the operator’s vessel, to render to all other persons affected by the accident […]
§ 69-9-211. Regattas and Other Special Aquatic Events
The executive director may authorize the holding of regattas, motorboat or other boat races, marine parades, tournaments, exhibitions, or land-based events that are intended to be viewed from the water by vessel that impact navigation or the safety of vessels on any waters of this state. The commission shall adopt from time to time and […]
§ 69-9-212. Regulation of Motorboats Carrying Passengers for Hire — Exception
The commission is hereby authorized to establish rules, regulations and procedures for the inspection and approval of motorboats carrying passengers for hire and for the licensing of the operators of such vessels, but this part shall not apply to any vessel that holds a valid certificate of inspection issued by the United States coast guard, […]
§ 69-9-213. Boat Liveries
The owner of a boat livery shall cause to be kept a record of the name and address of the person or persons hiring any vessel that is designed or permitted by the owner of the boat livery to be operated as a motorboat, and the identification number of the vessel. The record shall be […]
§ 69-9-214. Judicial Notice of All Published Rules and Regulations and Proclamations
Courts shall take judicial notice of all published rules and regulations and proclamations promulgated pursuant to this chapter and the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5.
§ 69-9-215. Liability of Owners or Operators
The owner of a vessel, other than a bona fide person engaged in the business of renting boats or a person engaged in the business of selling, repairing or manufacturing boats, that loans a boat to a consumer or potential consumer on a temporary basis, shall be liable for any injury or damage occasioned by […]
§ 69-9-216. Prohibited Acts
No person shall operate or interfere with the safe operation of any motorboat or vessel, or manipulate any water skis, surfboard, tube, specialty recreational device or similar device in a reckless or negligent manner so as to endanger the life, limb, or property of any person. Notwithstanding § 69-9-219 to the contrary, any person who […]
§ 69-9-217. Boating Under the Influence
It is unlawful for any person or persons to operate any vessel subject to registration or any commercial vessel as defined in this section on the public waters of the state while under the influence of any intoxicant, marijuana, narcotic drug, or drug producing stimulating effects on the central nervous system. For the purpose of […]
§ 69-9-218. Jet Boats That Carry Passengers for Hire
Jet boats that carry passengers for hire shall: Only operate during the hours between ten o’clock a.m. (10:00 a.m.) and five o’clock p.m. (5:00 p.m.) on Monday through Friday; Only operate during the hours between ten o’clock a.m. (10:00 a.m.) and seven o’clock p.m. (7:00 p.m.) on Saturday and Sunday; Not travel at a speed […]
§ 69-9-219. Penalties
Any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter, except § 69-9-216(a) or § 69-9-217, including any rules and regulations adopted by the commission, commits a Class C misdemeanor. Any person who violates § 69-9-216(a) commits a Class A misdemeanor. Any person violating § 69-9-217(a) commits a Class A misdemeanor and, upon conviction […]
§ 69-9-220. Authority of Enforcement Officers — Arrest — Inspections — Warning Citations — Emergency Vessels
Every wildlife officer and any additional enforcement officers who may be specified by the executive director have the authority to enforce this chapter and, in the exercise of the authority, have the authority to stop and board any vessel subject to this chapter. They may arrest on sight, without warrant, any person detected by them […]