Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Unlawful and Dangerous Operation
Mississippi law prohibits reckless or negligent operation of a
vessel or the reckless manipulation of water skis, a surfboard,
or any similar device. Reckless operation or manipulation is the
failure to exercise the care necessary to prevent the endangerment
of life, limb, or property of any other person. Examples of illegal
and reckless operation are:
- Operating a vessel at speeds that may cause danger, injury,
damage, or unnecessary inconvenience. Be aware of and obey all
regulatory markers, including those marked as “idle
speed” or “no
wake speed.”
- Weaving your vessel through congested waterway traffic or swerving
at the last possible moment in order to avoid collision.
- Jumping the wake of another
vessel unnecessarily close to the other vessel or when visibility
around the other vessel is restricted.
- Loading the vessel beyond the recommended capacity shown
on the capacity plate installed by the vessel manufacturer.
- Causing damage from the wake of
your vessel.
- Boating in restricted areas without regard for other boaters
or persons, posted speeds and wake restrictions, diver-down flags,
etc.
- Allowing passengers to ride on the bow, gunwale, transom,
seat backs, seats on raised decks, or any other place where there
may be a chance of falling overboard. (It also interferes with
the operator's visibility and the stability of the vessel.)
- Chasing, harassing, or disturbing wildlife with your vessel.
In addition to the above examples of reckless or negligent operation,
Mississippi Ordinance No. 16.003 states that on marine waters south
of Interstate Highway 10 (I-10) it is illegal for vessel operators
to:
- Operate at an excessive speed within 100 feet of another occupied
vessel except in a crossing situation or overtaking in accordance
with the navigation rules.
- Jump, or attempt to jump, the wake of another vessel within
100 feet of that vessel.
- Follow within 100 feet of a water-skier.
- Create a potentially damaging wake within 100 feet of:
- Harbors, public marinas, or anywhere else vessels are typically
docked or . . .
- Any public boat launching ramp facility.
- Operate the vessel with passengers positioned such that they
block the operator’s view of other waterway traffic or
of persons and objects in the water.
Remember, in order to avoid a collision with other boaters on
the waterway, you must:
- Keep a sharp lookout for others on the waterway.
- Follow the navigation
rules when approaching other vessels.
- Be courteous.
|
