§ 69-9-223. [reserved.]
The executive director, or the executive director’s designees or officers, upon observing a boat being used without sufficient lifesaving or firefighting devices, or in an overloaded or other unsafe condition, which in such person’s judgment creates an especially hazardous condition, may direct the operator to take whatever immediate and reasonable steps would be necessary for […]
§ 69-9-225. Personal Flotation Devices Required for Persons Twelve (12) Years of Age and Under — Penalty
All persons twelve (12) years of age and under in an open boat or on an open deck of a vessel being used for recreational purposes on the waters of this state shall wear a United States coast guard approved wearable personal flotation device while such vessel is underway. Any personal flotation devices required by […]
§ 69-9-226. Operation of Vessel by Persons Born After January 1, 1989 — Exceptions — Boating Safety Course Certificates — Orientation — Violations
Except as provided in subsection (b), it is unlawful for any person born after January 1, 1989, to operate any vessel subject to registration on any waters of this state unless the operator: Has successfully completed a monitored National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) approved boating safety examination administered by the agency or […]
§ 69-9-227. Regulation of Commercial Operations That Lease or Rent Nonmotorized Vessels for Noncommercial Use
As used in this section: “Nonmotorized vessels” means canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, tubes, and any other vessels powered only by their occupants and propelled by manual methods, including, but not limited to paddles and oars; and “Waters of Tennessee” means any waters within the territorial limits of this state, except privately owned ponds or […]
§ 69-9-228. Yielding Right-of-Way to Emergency Vessel Making Use of Flashing Lights
Upon the approach of an authorized emergency vessel making use of flashing lights, the operator of every other vessel shall yield the right-of-way and shall slow to a no wake speed or immediately move over at least one hundred feet (100′) to a position of safety from the emergency vessels, clear of any other vessel, […]
§ 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 […]
§ 69-9-221. [reserved.]
On or before the fifteenth day of each month, magistrates or clerks of general sessions courts and other courts shall make a detailed report of all fines and forfeitures collected during the previous calendar month, this report to be made on forms provided by the commission, and the magistrates or clerks of general sessions courts […]
§ 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 […]