BOATING REGULATIONS AND YOUR
RESPONSIBILITIES
SECTION
3
© 2003-2018 Ken Cook Co.
3 - 8
l Bass
As a boater, make it a point NOT to dump or discharge ANYTHING into waters and
tell passengers to respect this rule. Return all trash after boating and dispose of it
properly on shore.
MARPOL TREATY
The USCG enforces the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution
from ships, commonly referred to as the MARPOL Treaty (MARine POLlution). This
treaty prohibits the overboard dumping of all ship-generated plastics, chemicals,
garbage and oil. Contact the USCG for further information.
AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES (AIS)
Stop aquatic hitchhikers. Waterways are under assault by
nuisance invasive species transported from one body of water to
the next by ships and boats. Recreational boaters can help stop
the spread of AIS with thorough equipment inspection and
cleaning. Many waterways popular with trailer boaters have
mandatory state or local inspection and decontamination
centers.
Stop the transport of invasive species:
• REMOVE plants, fish, animals and mud from boots, gear, boat trailer and
vehicle.
• CLEAN the gear before entering and leaving the recreation site.
• DRAIN bilge, ballast, wells and buckets before leaving the area.
• DRY equipment before launching the boat into another body of water.
• DISPOSE of unwanted bait in a sealed container.
Inspection, rinsing, flushing or high-pressure washing removes AIS, while hot water
kills AIS. In the absence of hot water or high pressure, rinsing with tap water and
completely drying will help prevent the spread of AIS. For more information visit:
http://StopAquaticHitchhikers.org.
DISCHARGE OF OIL PROHIBITED
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act prohibits the discharge of oil or oily waste into or upon the
navigable waters of the United States, or the waters of the contiguous zone, or which may affect
natural resources belonging to, or under the exclusive management authority of the United States.
If such discharge causes a film or discoloration of the surface of the water, or causes a sludge or
emulsion beneath the surface of the water. Violators are subject to substantial civil penalties and/or
criminal sanctions including fines and imprisonment.
KC-6020
KC-6027
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