LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

1. LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

2. Numbering and documentation Hull Identification Number Age/education requirements Unlawful operation Alcohol and drug laws Obstructing navigation Homeland Security Personal flotation devices Fire extinguishers Flame arrestors, ventilation, boat battery, and mufflers Key Topics

3. Navigation lights Visual distress signals & sound producing devices Diver Down flags PWC laws Laws relating to towing person(s) Waste, oil, and trash disposal Reporting accidents Penalties and enforcement Key Topics

4. Displaying Number and Decals Display number and decals as follows: • Number must be placed on each side of forward half of vessel. • Number must read left to right. • Numbers must be separated from letters by 2" spaces or hyphens. • Number must be in at least 3" high bold, BLOCK letters of contrasting color to background.

5. Hull Identification Number Hull Identification Number: • Is unique to your vessel. • Is typically engraved in fiberglass or on metal plate attached to transom. • Should be recorded and put it in safe place other than vessel.

6. Hull Identification Number (cont.) All vessels built after Nov. 1, 1972, must have HIN. This includes home-made boats. If a vessel has no HIN, or it has been removed, obliterated, or altered, it must be noted in the application for Certificate of Title, and the state will assign a HIN.

7. Who May Operate a Vessel • No one under age of 10 may operate a motorboat. • A 10 or 11 year old may operate a motorboat only if accompanied by a parent, guardian, or a person at least 18 designated by the parent or guardian. • A person at least 12, but less than 16, may operate a motorboat only if: • Accompanied by parent, guardian, or a person at least 18 designated by parent or guardian or . . . • He or she has completed a boating safety course accepted by the Wisconsin DNR. • If required to complete a boater safety course you must always carry the certificate on board the vessel.

8. Who May Operate a PWC • No one under age 12 may operate a PWC. • A person at least 12 but less than 16 must have completed a boating safety course accepted by WDNR to operate a PWC. • Operator’s course certificate must be carried on board the PWC. • No one under the age of 16 may rent or lease a PWC.

9. Unlawful Operation Negligent or Reckless Operation is operating in a manner that causes danger to life, limb, or property of any person. Examples are: • Jumping a wake with a motorized vessel within 100 feet of another vessel • Jumping the wake of any vessel towing a skier, tuber, wakeboarder, etc. • Operating within any area marked off or set aside as a prohibited area or swim area

10. Unlawful Operation (cont.) • Weaving your vessel through congested waterway traffic • Operating in a manner to create hazardous wave or wake conditions while approaching or passing another vessel • Steering toward another object or person in the water and swerving at the last possible moment to avoid collision • Chasing, harassing, or disturbing wildlife with your vessel

11. Unlawful Operation (cont.) Improper Speed or Distanceis not maintaining proper speed and/or distance. Specifically, it is illegal to: • Operate at a distance from other vessels or a speed that exceeds safe and reasonable limits given waterway traffic, marked speed limits, weather, and other boating conditions • Exceed speeds posted or charted in specific zone or area • Operate a vessel repeatedly in a circuitous manner within 200 feet of another vessel or person in the water • Operate a vessel within 100 feet of any dock, raft, pier, or restricted area at greater than slow no wake speed

12. Unlawful Operation (cont.) Riding on Bow or Gunwales is allowing passengers to ride on the bow decking, gunwales or any other position where there is danger of falling overboard.

13. Unlawful Operation (cont.) Unsafe Condition is placing or leaving in public waters any vessel not safe to operate. Law enforcement officers may instruct operator to take immediate corrective action or return to mooring if any of these “unsafe condition” exists: • Vessel is overloaded • Insufficient PFDs, fire extinguishers, backfire flame arrestors, ventilation, or navigation lights • Vessel is leaking fuel or has fuel in the bilges

14. Vessel Capacity • Capacity plate is located near the operator’s position or on the transom. • Indicates maximum weight capacity or maximum number of people vessel can safely carry. • Federal law requires single-hull vessels have capacity plate if less than 20 feet in length.

15. Alcohol and Drugs Wisconsin law prohibits operating a motorboat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Alcohol and drugs cause impaired balance, blurred vision, poor coordination, impaired judgment, and slow reaction time. Alcohol contributes to about one-third of all boating accidents nationwide. • Anyone who operates or attempts to operate a vessel is deemed to have given consent to an alcohol and/drug test.

16. Alcohol and Drugs (cont.) Wisconsin law states that a person is considered to be under the influence if he or she: • Has blood or breath alcohol concentration of 0.08% or greater or . . . • Is under the influence of any controlled substance or any other drug, or any combination of alcohol, controlled substance, or drugs that renders that person incapable of operating safely.

17. Obstructing Navigation Be aware that it is illegal to: • Operate in such a way to unnecessarily interfere with safe navigation of other vessels • Anchor in traveled portion of river or channel preventing or interfering with any other vessel • Moor or attach vessel to buoy, beacon, light, or any other navigational aid • Move, displace, tamper with, damage, or destroy any navigational aid

18. Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) All vessels must be equipped with USCG–approved life jackets called personal flotation devices or PFDs. • Quantity and type depends on: • Length of vessel • Number of people on board and/or being towed • Each PFD must be: • In good condition and readily accessible • Proper size for the intended wearer • Vessel operators should ask everyone to weara PFD.

19. Personal Flotation Devices (cont.) Type I: Offshore Life Jackets • For rough or remote waters where rescue may take awhile. • Excellent for flotation—will turn most unconscious persons face up in water.

20. Personal Flotation Devices (cont.) Type II: Near-Shore Vests • Good for calm waters and fast rescues. • May lack capacity to turn unconscious wearers face up.

21. Personal Flotation Devices (cont.) Type III: Flotation Aids • Good for calm waters and fast rescues. • Will not turn a person face up. • Some designed to inflate when you enter water.

22. Personal Flotation Devices (cont.) Type IV: Throwable Devices • Cushions or ring buoys designed to be thrown to someone in trouble. • Not for long hours in rough waters, non-swimmers or the unconscious.

23. Personal Flotation Devices (cont.) Type V: Special-Use Devices • Designed for specific activities such as kayaking or water- skiing. • Some designed to inflate when you enter water. • To be acceptable, Type V PFDs must be used in accordance with their label.

24. PFD Requirements • All vessels must have at least one Type I, II, III, or V USCG–approved PFD for each person on board. • Vessels 16 feet or longer must also carry one USCG–approved Type IV throwable device. • All PFDs must be in good and serviceable condition and must be readily accessible.

25. PFD Requirements (cont.) • Federal law requires children under the age of 13 to wear a USCG–approved PDF while underway on federally controlled waters, unless in a cabin or below decks. • It is strongly recommended that children also wear PFDs while on state waters. • Sailboarders and windsurfers are exempt from PFD requirements but are encouraged to wear a PFD. • All persons on board a PWC or being towed behind a vessel must wear a Type I, II, III, or V USCG–approved PFD.

26. Fire Extinguishers • Extinguishers are classified by a letter and number symbol. • Number indicates the relative size of the extinguisher. • Letter indicates type of fire it will extinguish: • Type A: fires of combustible solids like wood • Type B: fires of flammable liquids like gasoline or oil • Type C:electrical fires

27. Fire Extinguishers (cont.) All vessels are required to have a Type B fire extinguisher(s) on board if one or more of these conditions exist: • Inboard/outboard or inboard engine • Closed compartments • Closed living spaces • Closed storage compartments in which flammable or combustible materials may be stored • Permanently installed fuel tanks

28. Use this chart to determine the type and quantity required for your vessel: Length of VesselWithout Fixed SystemWith Fixed System* Less than 26 ft. one B-I none 26 ft. to less than 40 ft. two B-I or one B-II one B-I 40 ft. to less than 65 ft. three B-I or one B-II and one B-I two B-I or one B-II * Refers to a permanently installed fire extinguisher system Fire Extinguishers (cont.)

29. Fire Extinguishers (cont.) Approved fire extinguishers are identified by “Marine Type USCG approved” on the label, followed by size and type symbols and approval number. Extinguishers must be placed in an accessible area where they can be reached immediately. Be sure you know how to operate them. They must be maintained in usable condition. Inspect them regularly.

30. Backfire Flame Arrestors Because vessel engines may backfire, all powerboats (except outboards) fueled with gasoline must have an approved backfire flame arrestor on each carburetor. Backfire flame arrestors are designed to prevent ignition of gasoline vapors in case of engine backfire. Backfire flame arrestors must be: • In good and serviceable conditions • USGC-approved, or must comply with SAE J-1928 or UL 1111 standards • Periodically clean flame arrestor and check for damage.

31. Ventilation Systems The purpose of ventilation systems is to avoid explosions by removing flammable gases. Properly installed ventilation systems greatly reduce chance of a life-threatening explosion.

32. Ventilation Systems (cont.) • All gas-powered vessels that would entrap fumes must have at least two ventilation ducts fitted with cowls to remove the fumes. • If vessel is equipped with power ventilation system, turn on for at least 4 minutes after fueling, prior to starting engine. • If vessel is not equipped with power ventilation system, open engine compartment and sniff for gasoline fumes before starting engine.

33. Boat Battery It is unlawful to operate a motorized vessel equipped with a storage battery unless the battery is secured against shifting. • Battery must be equipped with nonconductive terminal shields to prevent accidental shorting. • Both positive and negative terminals must be covered. • Best solution is a covered battery box with a strap.

34. Mufflers Excessive noise can prevent a vessel operator from hearing signals and voices. • Exhaust must be effectively muffled. • It is unlawful to operate a vessel that exceeds a noise level of 86db. • Use of cutouts is prohibited.

35. Navigation Lights Operators must make sure vessels are equipped with proper navigation lights and use them during the following conditions: • When away from dock between sunset and sunrise • During periods of restricted visibility, such as fog or heavy rain

36. Navigation Lights (cont.) No other lights that may be mistaken for required navigation lights may be exhibited. Blue or red flashing lights restricted to use by law enforcement vessels only. Required navigation lights differ depending on type and size of your vessel.

37. Navigation Lights (cont.) Power-driven vessels less than 65.6 ft. long (including sailboats operating under power), when underway, must exhibit: • Red and green sidelights visible from a distance of at least two miles (or if less than 39.4 ft. long, at least one mile) on a dark clear night.

38. Navigation Lights (cont.) • An all-round white light or both a masthead light and a sternlight visible from a distance of at least two miles on a dark clear night. • The all-round white light (or masthead light) must be at least 3.3 ft. higher than the sidelights.

39. Navigation Lights (cont.) Unpowered vessels (sailboats or those that are paddled, poled and rowed) less than 65.6 ft. long must exhibit when underway: • Red and green sidelights visible from a distance of at least two miles (if less than 39.4 ft. long, visible at least one mile) on dark clear night. • Sternlight visible from at least two miles.

40. Navigation Lights (cont.) When underway, unpowered vessels less than 23 ft. long should exhibit: • If practical, same lights as required for unpowered vessels less than 65.6 ft. in length. • If not practical, at least one lantern or flashlight shining a white light.

41. Navigation Lights (cont.) Between sunset and sunrise, when not underway, all vessels are required to display a white light visible from all directions whenever anchored away from dock or moored in area other than designated mooring area.

42. Visual Distress Signals Visual Distress Signals (VDSs) allow vessel operators to signal for help in the event of an emergency. • VDSs must be in serviceable condition, readily accessible, and certified as complying with USCG requirements. • It is prohibited to display VDSs on the water, except when assistance is required. • When observing a vessel or person displaying a VDS, it is your duty to stop and render aid.

43. Visual Distress Signals (cont.) VDSs are classified as: • Day signals (visible in bright sunlight) • Night signals (visible at night) • Both day and night signals VDSs are either: • Pyrotechnic (smoke and flames) • Non-pyrotechnic (non-combustible)

44. Pyrotechnic Visual Distress Signals Non-Pyrotechnic Visual Distress Signals

45. Visual Distress Signals (cont.) Vessels on U.S. coastal waters must be equipped with USCG–approved VDSs. On coastal waters, all vessels are required to carry night signals when operating between sunset and sunrise. Recreational vessels 16 feet or longer are also required to carry day signals, EXCEPT: • Non-motorized, open sailboats less than 26 feet • Manually propelled vessels

46. Visual Distress Signals (cont.) If pyrotechnic VDSs are used, a minimum of three must be on board. Examples that satisfy USCG requirements: • Three hand-held red flares • One hand-held red flare and two red meteors • One hand-held orange smoke signal, two floating orange smoke signals, and one electric light

47. Sound Producing Devices • All vessels, including PWCs, are required to carry a mouth, hand, or power operated whistle or horn, or some other means to make efficient sound signal.

48. Other Equipment & Regulations Diver Down Flag: Persons scuba diving, skin diving snorkeling, or underwater spearfishing must display diver down flag unless within 150 feet of shore. Diver must stay within 150 feet of the flag. Divers may not surface more than 50 feet from flag unless there is an emergency. Vessels not engaged in diving operation must stay at least 100 feet from the flag.

49. Other Equipment (cont.) The diver down flags are: • Rectangular red flag, at least 13” by 15”, with a white diagonal stripe if on state waters. • A blue and white International Code Flag A (or Alfa flag) if on federally controlled or international waters. Local Regulations: Local waterways in Wisconsin may also have specific equipment and operational restrictions.

50. Requirements Specific to PWC PWC operators must obey these laws in addition to all other boating laws: • Every person on board PWC must wear a USCG–approved Type I, II, III, or V PFD. • If PWC equipped with lanyard-type ignition safety switch, lanyard must be attached to person, clothing, or PFD of operator. • PWC may not be operated between sunset and sunrise. • PWC operator must always face forwards.