Boating Violations

Equipment Violations

• Properly sized PFDs (Personal Flotation Devices, also known as life jackets) for each person must be on board and be readily accessible.
• One immediately accessible Coast Guard approved throwable cushion or life preserver (ring) is required on all vessels over 16'.  
• Fire Extinguisher
• Navigation lights
• Backfire flame arrestor
• Ski flag
• Ventilation system
• Sounding devices
• Muffling system

Speeding and Other Violations

• Five MPH areas (see boating laws page)
• Nighttime operation exceeding 15 mph one half hour after sunset to one half hour before sunrise
• No water skiing or similar devices between the hours from sunset to sunrise
• Reckless and negligent boat operation
• Bow riding, stern riding, and/or gunwhale riding
• PWCs shall not be operated between sunset and sunrise (PWC operators are required to wear a PFD).

Underage Operators

An operator must be sixteen years or older to operate a motorboat of more than 15 hp. This includes the operation of PWC's. Operators between the ages of 12 and 15 must be supervised by an adult 18 years old or older.

Reckless and Negligent Operation

Intoxicated operators with a blood alcohol level of .08 or more. In California in 2016, alcohol was involved in 40% of all fatal boating accidents where the operator(s) was tested for impairment.