NYS BOATING LAWS

1. NYS BOATING LAWS NEW YORK STATEBOATING LAWS - 12/02 Presentation by:Binghamton's SusquenangoPower Squadron

2. Current Edition 12/2002 Final exam includes NY state specific questions

3. NEW FOR '02 & '03: 1. Personal Flotation Device Requirement for Those Towed by a Vessel - page 53 * 2. Personal Watercraft Operators Born on or After 1/1/72 Now Need to Complete an Approved Boating Safety Course (see slide #19 for ’04 age changes) - page 60. * * Note: see the New York State Boater's Guide, 12/02 edition

4. NEW FOR 2003: The United States Coast Guard's Life Jacket Rule will go into effect December 23, 2002. In support of the ongoing efforts of the states and Coast Guard to improve boating safety, the Coast Guard is requiring that all children under 13 years of age wear Coast Guard approved life jackets, while aboard recreational vessels underway,except when the children are below decks or in an enclosed cabin. Comment - NYS sets this requirement to age 12; USCG is stricter at age 13. Note: For more boating safety information see www.uscg.mil/news and www.uscgboating.org.

5. NEW FOR 2003: • Changes to Visual Distress Signals and Sound Signaling Devices Effective 1 April 2003 (pages 23 & 28): • Whistle • mouth whistle for vessels less than 39 feet • mechanical whistle for vessels 39 feet or more. • Visual distress signals • vessels 16 feet or more shall carry serviceable distress signals • all vessels, regardless of length, when operating after sunset • vessels 39 feet or more shall carry a bell

6. AGE OF LEGAL BOAT OPERATION * 1. To operate a boat in NYS without adult supervision individuals must be at least 18 years of age or have successfully completed a safe boating course and be between the ages of 10 and 18. 2. Individuals less than 18 years of age who have not successfully completed a boating safety course may only operate a vessel while under the direct supervision of an individual who is 18 years of age or older. 3. The required boating safety certificate must be carried by the minor at all times while operating the boat. * Note: see slides 19 & 20 for PWC education req. for ’03 and ‘04

7. BOATING UNDER THE INFLUENCE (BUI) … … is operating while under the influence of any controlled substance or prescribed drug when affected to the extent that the person's normal faculties are impaired. • It is illegal for any person with a blood or breath alcohol of 0.08 or higher to operate a vessel. • Zero Tolerance: for those under 21 years of age; operating privileges will be revoked if caughtdrinkingwhile operating a vessel -page 41*. * Note: see the New York State Boater's Guide, 12/01 edition

8. SERIOUS PENALTIES • Boating While Intoxicated • New York law prescribes heavy fines, imprisonment, and the suspension of operator privileges for violators. • In New York, if you are stopped for the suspicion of impaired operation and refuse to voluntarily submit to a breath test, your privilege to operate may be immediately suspended, pending a hearing.

9. PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE (PFD) 1. All vessels must have one USCG approved wearable PFD for each person on board. 2. Vessels over 16 feet in length must have one additional throwable type IV. 3.Children under the age of 12 must wear a PFD while aboard a vessel under 65 feet that is underway, unless the child is situated within a fully enclosed cabin. 4. Type V, or hybrid inflatable PFDs, must be worn to be acceptable. They do require a minimal amount of maintenance. Not recommended for water skiing, etc.

10. Type I Off Shore Type II Near Shore Type III Inland Type IV Throwable Type V Special Use Inflatable PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE (PFD) 1. All vessels must have one USCG approved wearable PFD for each person on board. 2. Vessels over 16 feet in length must have one additional throwable type IV. 3.Children under the age of 12 must wear a PFD while aboard a vessel under 65 feet that is underway, unless the child is situated within a fully enclosed cabin. 4. Type V, or hybrid inflatable PFDs, must be worn to be acceptable. They do require a minimal amount of maintenance. Not recommended for water skiing, etc.

11. DIVERS DOWN FLAG • The official flag, Alpha, is the internationally recognized indicator for all dive operations. • The other flag, "diver down", which is prescribed by the state, is a red flag with a white diagonal stripe. • Vessels must maintain a distance of at least 100 feet of any craft or object displaying either flag. • Must be taken down when divers/snorkels are not in the water.

12. HULL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER 1. All registered vessels must have a HIN permanently affixed to the transom in such a way that removal, alteration, or replacement will be obvious and evident. 2. Removal of a HIN is prohibited. 3. Vessels without a HIN can be assigned one by the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles.

13. NYS Dept. of Motor Vehicles Receive number NY 1234 AB One Character space NY • Registration number display: • 3 inches or larger, contrasting color • On hull, near bow on both sides • Renewal sticker, good for 3 years, both sides, max. of 3 inches • aft of registration number USPS - dedicated to making boating safer and more fun 13 / 58 REGISTRATION AND NUMBERING Registration in New York NYS Dept. of Motor Vehicles Receive number NY 1234 AB

14. REGISTRATION • Registration certificates must be available for inspection • aboard the vessel. • Vessels documented exclusively for pleasure and which operate principally within NYS, must apply to Motor Vehicles for a registration certificate and are required to display validation stickers. • Exempt from state registration: documented vessels operating commercially; vessels legally registered in another state (up to 90 consecutive days); lifeboats; competition race boats; & non mechanically propelled vessels.

15. REPORTABLE BOATING ACCIDENTS 1. Include accidents that had injuries requiring more than first aid. 2. Include accidents that cause more than $500 total damage. 3. Report immediately and file a written report within 48 hours if there is a death or missing person. 4. Must be reported to the nearest police agency and a written report must be filed with NYS Parks (Albany) within 48 hours; 5 days for accidents with only property damage. 5. Failure to report an accident may result in a $100 fine.

16. RESTRICTED AREAS 1. Established by state law and local ordinances. 2. Illegal to perform any activity posted as prohibited. 3. Idle speed - minimum speed required to maintain steerage. 4. Slow speed - no speed greater than that which is reasonable and prudent.

17. WATER SKIING 1. All persons engaged in water skiing must wear a USCG approved Type I, II or III PFD. An impact rated Type III is preferred. 2. Vessels towing water skiers must have an observer who is at least 10 years of age. 3. May occur between sunrise and sunset, provided visibility is not reduced. 4. Effective 2002 - anyone towed by a vessel must wear a proper PFD.

18. AQUATIC NUISANCES To help prevent the spread of the latest plague of non-native fish and zebra mussels in our waterways, boaters should follow these simple rules: • Trailer boaters should remove visible mud, plants, fish or animals from boats and trailers prior to transport to another body of water. • Scrape any mussels from boat or outdrive, and flush hull, bilges & water holding compartments with hot water (at least 120º F). • Do not release plants or fish, including bait, into a body of water unless it came out of that same body of water.

19. AQUATIC NUISANCES (Cont'd) • Pump fresh water through engines before leaving the area. • Drain live-wells, bait buckets, bilge and transom wells. • Remove water from trailer boats by removing the drain-plug and parking on an incline to facilitate draining. • Empty water out of kayaks, canoes, rafts, etc. • Let boat, PWCs, trailer and equipment dry for at least 5 days.

20. PERSONAL WATERCRAFT (PWC) • Personal Watercraft are boats and must adhere to allboating laws. • Mandatory education: if born on or after 1/1/72 (new as of 1/1/03); after 1/1/04 required for all PWC operators. • Specific requirements for PWCs: • Everyone on board or being towed behind a PWC must wear a US Coast Guard approved Type I, II, or III PFD at all times. Inflatable PFDs are not to be worn on PWCs. Impact rated Type III preferred. • A PWC may be operated only between sunrise and sunset providing visibility is not restricted. • No one under the age of 16 years may rent / lease a PWC. • An engine cutoff lanyard ignition safety switch, if so equipped, must be functional and attached to the rider. • Required equipment: horn or whistle, visual distress equipment and fire extinguisher.

21. PERSONAL WATERCRAFT (PWC) (Cont'd) • A PWC must be operated in a reasonable and prudent manner. It is illegal to: • Weave through congested waterway traffic. • Swerve at the last possible moment in order to avoid a collision. • Jump the wake of another boat or drive unnecessarily close to that boat. The required boating education certificate must be carried by all PWC operators while operating the PWC.

22. HOMELAND SECURITY MEASURES • Keep your distance from all military vessels, cruise lines, or commercial shipping: • All vessels must proceed at a no-wake speed when within a Protection Zone (which extends 500 yards around U.S. naval vessels). • Non-military vessels are not allowed to enter within 100 yards of a U.S. naval vessel, whether underway or moored, unless authorized by an official patrol. The patrol may be either Coast Guard or Navy. • Violating the Naval Vessel Protection Zone is a felony offense, punishable by up to six years imprisonment and / or up to $250,000 in fines. • Observe and avoid all security zones. Avoid commercial port operation areas. Avoid restricted areas near: • Dams • Power plants • Naval ship yards • Dry docks Know and Avoid All Security Zones

23. NYS BOATING LAWS END NEW YORK STATEBOATING LAWS