LARSON Bass - Emergency Assistance; Negligent Operation; Restricted Areas; Security Zones

BOATING REGULATIONS AND YOUR
RESPONSIBILITIES
SECTION
3
© 2003-2018 Ken Cook Co. 3 - 4 l Bass
EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE
An operator seeing a distress signal or suspecting a boat is in trouble must assume
it is a real emergency and render assistance immediately. By law, the operator in
charge of the boat is obligated to provide assistance to any individual in danger if
such assistance can be provided safely. Failure to render assistance can result in a
fine and/or imprisonment. The 1971 Boating Safety Act grants protection to a
“good Samaritan” boater providing good-faith assistance, and absolves a boater
from any civil liability arising from such assistance.
NEGLIGENT OPERATION
Federal law prohibits the negligent or grossly negligent operation of a boat and/or
interference with the safe operation of a boat so as to endanger lives and/or
property. Some actions that may constitute grossly negligent operation (criminal
offense) are:
• Operating a boat in a designated swimming area
• Excessive speed in the vicinity of other boats or in regulated waters
• Hazardous waterskiing or other water sports practices
• Bow riding, or riding on a seatback, gunwale, boarding platform or
transom
• Operating a boat while under the influence or alcohol or drugs (severe
penalties may be imposed for boating under the influence [BUI])
Other actions that constitute negligent operation, such as, but not limited to:
• Failure to use handhold
• Overloading or improper loading
• Using a boat in weather or sea conditions beyond the intended design of
the boat or beyond the skill or experience of the operator
• Continued operation with operator’s visibility blocked or impaired
• Modification to boat causing an unsafe operating condition
RESTRICTED AREAS
SECURITY ZONES
Operators must avoid all waterways and areas that are restricted, such as military
installations, power plants and petroleum and chemical facilities. Because of the
threat of terrorism, the U.S. Coast Guard has implemented and will continue to
enforce strict limits on boats near U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard ships and other
potential targets.