2015 New York Safe Boating - 51

BOAT OPERATIONS

10

Laws Relating to the Operation
of a Boat

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, 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 or 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
sees 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
51
http://www.nysparks.com/recreation/boating/navigation-law.aspx
2015 New York Safe Boating

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of 2015 New York Safe Boating
