It's the Law: On the Water

Obstructing Navigation

It is illegal to:

• Anchor a vessel in a channel or launch area in a way that causes the anchored vessel to interfere with the safe passage of any other vessel.
• Moor or attach a vessel to a buoy (except a mooring buoy), beacon, light, or any other navigational aid placed on public waters by proper authorities.
• Move, displace, tamper with, damage, or destroy any navigational aid.
• Place buoys, markers, or navigational aids in the water without proper authorization.
• Obstruct a pier, boat ramp, or access to any facility.
• Interfere unreasonably or unnecessarily with other vessels' use of the waterways or areas used for launching into these waterways.
• Moor, anchor, or fasten to shore for more than 14 consecutive days any vessel on public waters. For more information, see Mooring Buoys.

In March, 2005, the U.S. Coast Guard officially launched America's Waterway Watch to encourage the boating public to report suspicious activities in our nation's ports and waterways. America's Waterway Watch simply asks anyone who works, lives, or recreates on the water to keep an extra eye out for any suspicious activities. Anyone who spots anything is asked to call the National Response Center's 24-hour hotline, 1-800-424-8802 or 1-877-24WATCH. The National Response Center is comprised of 16 federal response agencies that have various skills to respond to different incidents.

To Report Suspicious Activities: Call the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802 or 1-877-24WATCH

For Immediate Danger to Life or Property: Call 911