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Home » US Law » 2019 US Virgin Islands Code » Title 25 - Navigation » Chapter 15 - Motorboats

§ 292. Operation of unnumbered motorboats prohibited

(a) Every motorboat on the waters of the Virgin Islands shall be numbered. No person shall operate or give permission for the operation of any motorboat on such waters unless the motorboat is numbered in accordance with applicable federal law, or in accordance with a federally approved numbering system of a state, territory or possession […]

§ 293. Identification number

(a) The owner of each vessel requiring numbering or registration in accordance with this chapter shall file an application with the Department. The application shall be signed by the owner of the vessel and shall be accompanied by the following fees: For Class I vessels (less than 16′ in length) $ 25.00 For Class II […]

§ 294. Equipment

(1) Every motorboat shall carry and be fitted with such life-saving, fire-fighting and fire-prevention equipment, sound signalling devices, and, between sunset and sunrise, shall exhibit lights, all as may be required by the rules and regulations of the Commissioner, provided only that the requirements of such rules and regulations shall not exceed the requirements of […]

§ 295. Exemption from numbering provisions

A motorboat shall not be required to be numbered under this chapter if it is— (1) Already covered by a number in full force and effect which has been awarded to it pursuant to federal law or a federally approved numbering system of another state, territory or possession of the United States. Provided, that such […]

§ 296. Boat liveries

(a) 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 which is designed or permitted by him to be operated as a motorboat; the identification number thereof; and the departure date and time, and the expected time of […]

§ 297. Prohibited operation; speed limit in restricted areas

(a) No person shall operate any motorboat or vessel, or manipulate any water skis, surfboard, or similar device in a reckless or negligent manner so as to endanger the life or property of any person. (b) No motorboat shall be operated in excess of six statute miles per hour within those areas designated within the […]

§ 298. Collisions, accidents and casualties

(a) It shall be the duty of the operator of a vessel involved in a collision, accident, or other casualty, so far as he can do so without serious danger to his own vessel, crew, and passengers, if any, to render to other persons affected by collision, accident, or other casualty such assistance as may […]

§ 299. Transmittal of information

In accordance with any request duly made by an authorized official or agency of the United States, any information compiled or otherwise available to the Commissioner pursuant to section 298(b) of this title shall be transmitted to said official or agency of the United States.

§ 300. Water skis and surfboards

(a) No person shall operate a vessel on any waters of this territory for towing a person or persons on water skis, or a surfboard, or similar device unless there is in such vessel a person, in addition to the operator, in a position to observe the progress of the person or persons being towed. […]

§ 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 […]

§ 304. Penalties

(a) Any person who violates any provision of sections 292–294, 296(a), 298 and 301 of this title shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be subject to a fine of not to exceed $50 for each such violation. (b) Any person who violates any provision of sections 296(b) and 300 of this title shall […]