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INSPECTION OF VESSELS
In order to enforce the provisions of the Water Safety Act, game
wardens and other peace officers certified as marine safety enforcement
officers by TPW, may stop, board, and inspect any vessel to determine
compliance with applicable provisions.
ACCIDENTS AND CASUALTIES
Operators of vessels involved in any collision, accident or other
casualty that results in death or injury to any person or property
damage exceeding $500 must file a complete report of the accident
within 30 days in accordance with Department regulations. Failure
to file a report is punishable as a Parks and Wildlife Class C misdemeanor.
Accident reports filed by the operator(s) are confidential and are
not admissible in court as evidence. Report forms may be obtained
from TPW offices, game wardens, or marine safety enforcement officers.
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STOP AND RENDER AID
The operator of any vessel involved in a boating accident must stop
and render whatever assistance is necessary unless such action would
endanger his own vessel, crew or passengers. The operator must give
his/her name, address and vessel identification number in writing
to any injured person and to the owner of any damaged property.
Failure to do so in an accident that results in death or serious
bodily injury is punishable as a Parks and Wildlife Felony. Failure
to do so in an accident that does not result in death or serious
bodily injury is punishable as a Parks and Wildlife Class A misdemeanor.
MANDATORY BOATER EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
A successfully completed TPW certified boater education course
and photo I.D. is required for any person born after September 1,
1984 to operate on the public water of this state a (1) vessel powered
by motor of 10 horsepower or more; or (2) a windblown vessel over
14 feet in length. (See #13, Operation of Your Boat.)
EXCEPTIONS: A person is exempt from
the mandatory boater education requirement if the person (1) is
at least 18 years of age; (2) is accompanied by a person at least
18 years of age who is exempt from the course or who has completed
the course; (3) holds a master's, mate's, or operators license issued
by the U.S. Coast Guard; or (4) is otherwise exempt by rule of the
department.
A person adjudged guilty of one of the following violations: (1)
any personal watercraft violation, (2) reckless or negligent operation,
(3) excessive speed, (4) reckless operation and excessive speed,
(5) hazardous wake or wash, (6) circular course around fisherman
or swimmer, (7) interference with markers or ramps, (8) obstructing
passage, (9) operating boats in restricted areas, (10) operating
vessels in scuba diving or snorkeling areas, (11) skiing during
illegal hours or in a manner that endangers life or property, shall
be required to successfully complete an approved boater education
course and pay a fine. Failure to complete the boater education
course within 90 days will result in the person committing an offense
that is a Parks and Wildlife Class A misdemeanor.
REQUIRED SAFETY EQUIPMENT FOR PERSONAL WATERCRAFT
(PWC)
All equipment requirements for regular motorboats also apply to
PWC. In addition to those requirements: (1) each occupant must wear
a life jacket; (2) if the PWC is equipped with a cut-off or kill
switch, it must be attached to the operator or operator's clothing.
Inflatable life jackets are NOT approved for use on PWC.
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