America’s Boating Course 3 rd Edition

1. State & Local Regulations Chapter 2 Section 8 CALIFORNIA America’s Boating Course3rd Edition • >>

2. State & Local Regulations Federal law sets minimum equipment requirements for boats. States set rules for operating boats • Operator qualifications • License requirements • Lifejacket wear • Speed restrictions • Time of day restrictions • Note that localities may set additional rules • 2 • >>

3. Review • 3 • >>

4. Operator Age Requirements Just like driving a car, there are minimum age requirements for operating a boat: • The minimum age for unsupervised operation of a motorized vessel of more than 15 horsepower in California is 16. • Children 12-15 years of age may operate motor boats of more than 15 horsepower or sailboats over 30 feet in Length if supervised by someone at least 18 years of age. • Ref: California State ABCs, pages 16 & 19. • >> • 4

5. Boating Near Swimmers Boaters must stay clear of swimmers and others: • The maximum speed for motorboats within 100 feet of a bather (but not a water skier) and within 200 feet of a beach, swimming float, diving platform, or passenger landing float, or a landing where boats are tied up is 5 miles per hour. • Ref: California State ABCs, page 16 • >> • 5

6. Teak Surfing • California boating law forbids operating a vessel’s motor or generator while a person is:a. Teak surfing, platform dragging, or bodysurfing behind the vessel, orb. While someone is occupying or holding onto the swim platform, swim deck, swim step or swim ladder, except for a very brief period of time when a person is assisting with the docking or departure of the vessel, while exiting or entering the vessel, or while the vessel is engaged in law enforcement or emergency rescue activity. • >> • 6

7. Teak Surfing • REMEMBER: • The vessel operator is responsible and could be cited by law enforcement • The best precaution against carbon monoxide poisoning is to keep fresh air flowing through the vessel • Ref: California State ABCs, pages 16-17. • >> • 7

8. Boating Under the Influence • BUI is operating while under the influence of alcohol or any controlled substance or prescription drug 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; penalties may include a fine of up to $250 and participation in an alcohol education program. • Ref: California State ABCs, page 18 • >> • 8

9. Boating Under the Influence • BUI is a factor in about 50 percent of all fatal motorboat accidents in California. The rules are identical to DUI: • No person 21 years or older shall operate any vessel, water skis or similar device who has blood alcohol level of 0.08. • A level of 0.05 may be used with other evidence to deter-mining that a boater was impaired in operating their boat. • For those under 21, it is illegal to operate a motorized vessel, water skis or similar device with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.01 or more. • >> • 9

10. Personal Watercraft • 1. Personal Watercraft (PWCs) are considerate boats and must obey all boating laws. • 2. Nighttime Operation of PWCs isprohibited between sunset and sunrise, even if equipped with the proper navigation lights. • 3. Operate PWCs in a reasonable and prudent manner! • Ref: California State ABCs, page 19 • >> • 10

11. “Reasonable and Prudent” • Under California law, watercraft (boats, PWCs, etc.) must be operated in a “reasonable and prudent” manner. • This means that nobody can operate a craft in a reckless or negligent manner so as to endanger the life, limb or property of any individual • >> • 11

12. “Reasonable and Prudent” • Specific examples of not operating in a “reasonable and prudent” manner are given. These include: • Navigating a vessel, skis or other devices between a towing vessel and its tow or tows • “Wake jumping” - jumping or attempting to jump the wake of another vessel within 100 feet of the other vessel. • Spraying someone with the wake of a PWC. • Ref: California State ABCs, page 19 • >> • 12

13. Accident Reporting • Accidents involving a boat must be reported in writing to the California Department of Boating and Waterways (forms can be found on their web site) if: • A person is injured and requires medical treatment beyond first aid. • A person dies or disappears. • Damage to the vessel and other property damages totals more than $500.00 • There is a complete loss of vessel. • Ref: California State ABCs, page 23 • >> • 13

14. ACCIDENT REPORTING • 14

15. Green Boating • California’s coast, rivers, and lakes form one of the most complex aquatic ecosystems in the world. For example, there are birds that fly all the way from New Zealand to eat off the Farallones Islands outside San Francisco! • Spilled fuel and oil, sewage, trash – and even things we might not think of, like harsh cleaning products – can pollute California’s waterways and harm sea life. Additionally, California is threatened by invasive species such as quagga and zebra mussels. Boaters play a crucial role in protecting the health of California’s waterways. • >> • 15

16. Oil pollution • Oil, gasoline, and other petroleum products are universally toxic to marine life (would you like to swim in a pool of oil?). While big oil spills get the publicity, ninety percent of oil in marine waters is from small, chronic sources such as bilges, outboard motors, etc. • What you can do: • When fueling, surround the spout with an absorbent pad. • Don’t top off your tank! Leave some expansion room. • Don’t pump your bilge if it has even a bit of oil in it. Use an absorbent pad to pick up the oil first – and dispose of pad correctly • Don’t use detergents, etc. to “disperse” oil. It’s illegal • Ref: California State ABCs, pages 48-49. • >> • 16

17. Sewage • Human waste is a huge pollutant (would you like to swim in it?) • What you can do: • If your boat has a head, always use a holding tank for sewage and pump out your holding tank at an approved pumpout facility. • If your boat has a “Y” valve allowing overboard discharge, that’s for offshore (beyond 3 mile limit) only. Keep the Y-valve properly secured in the closed position. • Many marinas have pumpout stations. Maps of locations are freely available. • Ref: California State ABCs, page 44. • >> • 17

18. Additional Green Boating • Limit in-water maintenance • Use environmentally friendly cleaning products • Avoid products with phosphates, ammonia, lye, bleach and any containing any hydrocarbons and petroleum distillates. • Keep absorbents or rags within reach to wipe up spills. • Do not top off when filling your fuel tank. • Do not sand in heavy wind. Sand or grind with units equipped with vacuum cleaners. • Ref: California State ABCs, pages 46-49 • >> • 18

19. Invasive Aquatic Species • Foreign aquatic species (eg, zebra and quagga mussels) that have no natural enemies in the US are an increasing problem. Every boater that travels between bodies of water must be sensitive to their spread. • You may find mandatory inspections or cleanings required at launch ramps. Boaters should check ahead to see whether boat inspections will be required. • Clean and dry every inch of your boat when you haul it. Newly hatched mussels are microscopic in size! • Visit www.dbw.ca.gov for more information. • Ref: California State ABCs, page 49 • >> • 19

20. Trash • Trash – especially plastics – is a huge pollutant.Plastics do not naturally decay, and they can affect wildlife in all sorts of horrific ways. • What you can do: • If you bring it aboard, take it off. • Never throw trash overboard. • This includes fishing lines and other fishing gear. • Ref: California State ABCs, page 50. • >> • 20

21. Boat Registration • All motorboats and sailboats more that 8 feet in length must be registered with the California Department of Motor Vehicles unless federally Documented. • Original Certificate of Number must be available for inspection aboard the vessel. • Keep your Certificate of Ownership (the equivalent of an automobile’s “pink slip”) in a safe place – this is your evidence of title to the vessel. • >> • 21

22. Registration Number Display • A boat’s registration number is like a car’s license plate number. It must be clear and easy to see and read. • A boat’s registration number (“CF” followed by four numbers followed by two letters) must be displayed on each side of the forward half of the vessel. • Numbers and letters must be at least 3” high, of block style (no script!) and of a color that contrasts with the hull. • There must be a space equivalent to the width of the letter “C” or a dash between the CF and the numbers and between the numbers and the trailing letters. • Ref: California State ABCs, pages 56-57. • >>

23. Registration Number Display • In addition, you will have a “registration sticker” (like the renewal sticker on your car) that shows your registration is current. This is displayed aft of the registration number on both sides of the boat in line with the registration number. • Registered vessels operating on California fresh water are required to display mussel fee stickers next to the renewal sticker as shown • Ref: California State ABCs, pages 56-57. • >>

24. End Chapter 2 • END