New York Safe Boating - 2020 - 51

BOAT OPERATIONS
Laws Relating to the Operation
of a Boat

10

free and proper use of the navigable waters or endanger
any boat or person. Reckless operation may be the result of
operator ignorance, inattention, indifference or carelessness.
Some examples of reckless operation include:

	operating at a high speed in a congested boating

Just as there are laws you must follow when operating a
motor vehicle, there are also laws to follow when operating
a boat. Every boater must make safety the first priority
and demonstrate courtesy toward other waterway users.
To prevent an unpleasant encounter with marine law
enforcement, make sure you know and obey the laws
relating to the operation of boats.

area or in restricted visibility,

	following another boat too closely,
	operating too closely to swimmers or divers,
	towing skiers in an unsafe or crowded area,
	operating near dams,
	cutting through a regatta or marine parade,
	overloading a boat, and
	allowing passengers to ride on the bow, gunwale, or

Speeding

transom while making way.

New York State Law requires that all boats not exceed
a speed of 5 miles per hour when within 100 feet of the

Bow Riding
Bow riding means that passengers are seated on the
boat's bow, gunwale, transom, or any area not intended to
accommodate
passengers
while the boat is
underway. Bow
riding is extremely
dangerous. If the
boat hits a large
wake or wave, or
makes a sudden,
sharp turn, the
person riding
the bow may be
thrown overboard.
Operators must insist that their passengers take a seat, and
stay in that seat, while the boat is underway.

shore, a dock, pier, raft, float or an anchored or moored
boat. Exception to this is when the boat is enabling a skier
to take off and land. On some specific bodies of water
the 5 mph limit has been extended to 200 feet, and on
several lakes there are daytime and nighttime speed limits.
Local ordinances may further regulate the speed of boats
operated within specific areas. Check with authorities
regarding local regulations.

WHY IS RIDING ON THE BOW OR GUNWALE
DANGEROUS?

A person who is bow riding is in danger of falling
overboard and being injured by the boat or the boat prop
even if the boat is moving at slow speed. A boat in a no
wake zone moves about six miles per hour which means
it will proceed about nine feet in a second. At low speed,
your powerboat's bow will ride high, obstructing your
view. It will take at least two seconds for the helmsman
to react if a person falls into the water from the bow-
assuming that the helmsman saw the accident and
can react immediately. In that time, the boat will move
forward 18 feet and it will take another second or two for
a propeller to actually stop turning. So in the best case
scenario, the person falling overboard will be in danger of
being injured by the moving prop for at least five seconds
after falling overboard-and in those five seconds, the
person is unlikely to be able to move far enough away
from the prop to avoid the danger.

All boats must proceed at a safe speed for the conditions
of weather, traffic, proximity to shore, operator experience,
and boat handling characteristics. When no speed limit
is posted, operate your boat safely so as not to endanger
others. You must be able to stop your boat safely within the
clear space ahead.
Always be aware of your wake. Reduce speed when passing
marinas, docks or other boats, to minimize any disruption.

Reckless Operation
Reckless operation of a boat can be a misdemeanor.
Operators are required to operate a boat in a careful and
prudent manner in such a way as not to interfere with the
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New York Safe Boating - 2020

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