5-341. Negligent operation of watercraft or water skis; restriction in operation of watercraft; violation; classification A. No person shall operate a watercraft in a careless, reckless or negligent manner. B. A person shall not operate a watercraft while allowing a person to ride on the gunwales, the transom or the decked over bow of a […]
5-343. Speed restrictions; excessive wake No person shall operate a watercraft in excess of the posted limit or at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing. In every event, speed shall be so controlled as may be necessary to avoid […]
5-344. Overloading A. No watercraft shall be loaded and operated with passengers or cargo beyond its safe carrying capacity or the limitations on the manufacturer’s load capacity plate. B. All new watercraft twenty feet in length and under designed to carry two or more persons and to be propelled by machinery or oars, offered for […]
5-345. Navigation rules A. The operator of a watercraft under power shall yield right-of-way to any craft not under power, unless such nonpowered watercraft is overtaking a power craft. B. The area from a point directly ahead to one hundred twelve and one-half degrees of the compass to the starboard side of the watercraft shall […]
5-346. Water skiing A. No watercraft which has in tow a person or persons on water skis, a surfboard or similar contrivance shall be operated in or upon any waterway unless such watercraft shall be occupied by at least two persons, an operator and an observer. B. The operator shall observe other watercraft traffic, swimmers […]
5-347. Interference with navigation or launching areas A. No person shall unreasonably or unnecessarily interfere with other watercraft, with the free and proper use of the waterways of the state or with areas used for launching watercraft onto such waterways. Anchoring or swimming in heavily traveled channels or launching areas shall constitute such interference. B. […]
5-348. Dumping refuse, rubbish or debris on waterways No person shall dump, deposit, place, throw or leave refuse, rubbish, debris, filthy or odoriferous objects, substances or other trash on any waterways or the shorelines of any waterways of the state.
5-349. Watercraft casualties; violation; classification A. The operator of a watercraft involved in a collision, accident or other casualty, to the extent the operator can do so without serious danger to the operator’s own watercraft or persons aboard, shall: 1. Immediately stop the watercraft at the scene of the collision, accident or other casualty or […]
5-350. Personal watercraft; requirements for operation; definition A. A person shall not operate a personal watercraft unless each person aboard is wearing a wearable personal flotation device that is approved by the United States coast guard. B. A person who operates a personal watercraft that is equipped by the manufacturer with a lanyard type engine […]
