Section 8 Wisconsin State Boating Laws Revised 2015

Section 8 Wisconsin State Boating Laws Revised 2015 Boating is fun… we’ll show you how

Environmental Regulations Exotic Species: Wisconsin statutes prohibit launching a boat, boat trailer, or boating equipment if there any aquatic plants or zebra mussels attached. Inspect your boat, trailer, bilge, live wells, and bait containers for visible plants, animals, & mud. Do not transport to other bodies of water. Dry boats & equipment for at least 5 days. Boating is fun… we’ll show you how

Registration Hull Identification Number: • Boats built after 1972 • Engraved or permanently attached to transom • Similar to VIN of auto Federal Documented Vessels: • Must be registered with Wisconsin • Follow USCG guidelines Boating is fun… we’ll show you how

Registration Certificate of Number (Registration): • Must be carried aboard vessel • Expires on March 31 • Good for 3 years ALL – except: • non-motorized - under 16 feet, canoes, kayaks • Registered in other states & in Wisconsin for 60 days or less Boating is fun… we’ll show you how

Registration Numbers and Validation Decal Display: • • Affixed to bow – both sides 3 inch BLOCK letters Validation Decal: space 3” after letters Contrasting colors to bow Space or hyphen between letters and numbers Example: WS 3717 ZW or WS-3717 -ZW No other numbers displayed on bow Boating is fun… we’ll show you how

Boat Operation Valid Boating Safety Certificate - Issued By: • • WI DNR United States Coast Guard Auxiliary United Sates Power Squadrons Other NASBLA approved course providers Boat Rentals - Must Meet: • Wisconsin age requirements (16 for PWC) • Boating Safety Certificate requirements Boating is fun… we’ll show you how

Boat Safety Education Wisconsin boating safety certification or out-of-state equivalent certification is required for operators born on or after January 1, 1989 Boating is fun… we’ll show you how 7

Boat Operation Navigation Lights: (Displayed Sunset to Sunrise, periods of restricted visibility) Motorboats: One White light visible for 2 miles (All Around), Combination Red (Port side) & Green (Starboard side) attached so the light shows directly ahead to 225 Degrees Non-motorized: Must carry a White light and displayed in sufficient time to avoid collisions. Visible for 2 mile distance Boating is fun… we’ll show you how

PWC Operation Who May Operate: Less than 12 years old: Never 12– 15 years old: • • Valid Boat Safety Certificate AND Parental permission is not a substitute for boat safety certificate. 16 years and older: • Valid Boat Safety Certificate • Minimum age to rent Boating is fun… we’ll show you how

Equipment Requirement Boat Battery: Must be secured against shifting & Both negative and positive terminals must be covered. (Covered battery box with straps works best) Fire Extinguisher: Unlawful to operate a motorboat, except outboards of open construction, without fire extinguisher of the size, type, and number as specified Boating is fun… we’ll show you how

Equipment Requirement Fire Extinguisher Requirement by boat size and class: A = Less than 16’ = 1 size B-1 1 = 16’, less than 26’ = 1 size B-1 2 = 26’, less than 40’ = 2 size B-1 or 1 size B-2 3 = 40’, and over = 3 size B-1 or 1 size B-2 & 1 B-1 Gasoline Inboard boat engine: Must have a bilge ventilator (blower system) to vent fuel vapors & must have a USCG approved flame arrestor (carbureted engines) Mufflers: Boat noise must not exceed 86 db Boating is fun… we’ll show you how

PFD Requirements: Available for each person on board: • Type I – Offshore – Turn unconscious person face-up • Type II - Near Shore – might turn person face-up • Type III - Floatation Aid – will not turn person face-up • Type IV – Throwable – not to be worn • Type V – Special Use Device – vest, suits - used according to label (Must be worn to be valid) Boating is fun… we’ll show you how

PFD Requirements: All PFD’s Must Be: • Proper size • Readily accessible • Serviceable condition Federal Waters: Under age 13 must wear PFD while underway(Great lakes) Boating is fun… we’ll show you how

PFD Requirements: • Vessel 16’ or over: must have Throwable (except canoes or kayaks) • One USCG approved wearable PFD of proper size & type for each person on board • PWC: Must wear Type I, III, or V to operate • Inflatables are not legal for watersports (PWC, Skiing, or whitewater paddling Boating is fun… we’ll show you how

Requirements - PWC • All must wear a PFD Non-inflatable Type I – III, or V • Not legal to operate between sunset & sunrise • Minimum operator age of 12 (Rental age 16) • Lanyard must be attached to operator • If between 12– 16 years old: Must possess a valid state-approved boating safety certificate • PWC restricted to slow-no-wake within 100’ of any other boat, PWC, skier • PWC restricted to slow-no-wake within 200’ of the shoreline of any lake Boating is fun… we’ll show you how

Requirements - PWC • Illegal Reckless Operation: • Must be at “Slow - No Wake” speed: • Within 100’ of any other vessel on the waterbody • Within 200’ of shoreline on any lake • Less than 100’ from docks, piers, rafts or restricted areas on any lake • Illegal to disturb wildlife & aquatic vegetation Boating is fun… we’ll show you how

Towing Behind Vessel • Waterskiing: Requires 3 People (Minimum) • PWC: Must be rated by Manufacturer to carry 3 People (includes gear) • No Skiing between sunset & sunrise • Must have an observer, in addition to the operator • Keep the towed person at least 100’ away from: • Moored or anchored vessel, dock or raft, marked swim area or person in the water. Boating is fun… we’ll show you how

Stay Clear of Divers • Diver: within 50’ of flag Alpha Flag: Vessel unable Diver-Down: to maneuver Diver in the water Boating is fun… we’ll show you how

Unlawful Operation: • • • Weaving in and out of congested area Jumping Wakes (minimum distance) Chasing, Harassing, Disturbing Wildlife or Vegetation Causing damage from wake Operating at greater than “slow, no wake” speed: Within 100 ft. of any dock, raft, pier, or buoyed restricted area on any lake at a speed in excess of “slow, no wake speed Loading beyond capacity stated on the capacity plate. In restricted areas Bow riding – walking, standing in areas of boat not designed to Operating under influence of intoxicant or controlled substance or with a blood alcohol content of 0. 08% or higher Boating is fun… we’ll show you how

Reporting a Boat Accident A "reportable" boat incident is any incident (regardless of the number of boats involved) that results in loss of life, injuries that require medical treatment beyond first aid, boat or property damage in excess of $2, 000, or complete loss of a boat. Wisconsin law requires every boat operator involved in a reportable boat incident to report the incident without delay to law enforcement officials. In addition, within 10 days of the incident, the operator must submit a written report: http: //dnr. wi. gov/topic/boat/crashinfo. html Boating is fun… we’ll show you how

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