It's the Law: On the Water

Enforcement

Massachusetts Environmental Police officers, harbormasters, police officers assigned to harbor patrol, fish and game wardens, and state police officers enforce the boating laws of Massachusetts. Town police and harbormasters may also enforce local recreational boating laws. The U.S. Coast Guard patrols and has enforcement authority on federally controlled waters.

Officers have the authority to stop and board any recreational vessel at any time to check equipment, registration, and positively identify the vessel operator.

It is illegal to refuse to follow the directive of a person with law enforcement authority. An operator who has received a visual or audible signal from a law enforcement officer must bring his or her vessel to a stop.

Officers may arrest, without warrant, anyone in violation, or believed to be in violation of, the boating laws of Massachusetts.

Officers empowered to enforce state boating law and Coast Guard officers enforcing federal law may terminate the use of vessels if they find an “unsafe condition”. Click to review Unlawful and Dangerous Operation of a Vessel.