Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Unlawful Operation of a Vessel
Montana law states that it is unlawful to operate a vessel in
a reckless, negligent, or dangerous manner. Specifically, these
operating practices are illegal:
- Negligent or Careless Operation of a vessel
is the failure to exercise the care necessary to prevent the
endangerment of another person or their property. Examples are:
- Weaving your vessel through congested waterway traffic
- Passing unreasonably or unnecessarily close to another
vessel
- Buzzing or wetting down others
- Motoring through areas restricted for swimming
- Beaching your vessel within a designated swimming area
- Crossing or jumping the wake of another vessel within
100 yards of the vessel or within 100 yards of a water-skier
or anything being towed by the vessel, except when directly
entering or leaving a marina or other docking/loading area
- A reckless approach to, departure from, or passage by
a dock, ramp, diving board, or float
- Improper Speed is not maintaining a proper
speed while operating a vessel.
- Vessel operators must observe all “no
wake” signs
or buoys located on the water.
- Vessel operators are responsible for any damage caused
by their wake.
- Vessel operators must not travel at an excessive speed
that does not permit stopping the vessel within a desired
distance.
- Improper Distance is operating dangerously
close to others. It is illegal to:
- Operate your vessel within 20 feet of the exterior boundary
of a designated swimming area marked by white and orange
buoys.
- Operate a vessel within 75 feet of a person engaged in
fishing or hunting waterfowl, unless it is unavoidable.
If unavoidable, travel at “no
wake speed” or at the minimum speed necessary.
- Operate a motorboat within 200 feet of a tow-float or
buoy displaying a red flag with a white slash indicating
a “diver down,” except by sail or oar. In an
emergency, or if there is insufficient water on either
side to avoid passing through the 200-foot safety zone,
do not exceed the “no wake speed.” Read
about Diver Down Flags.
- Operate your vessel within 50 feet of a swimmer in the
water, except for vessels towing water-skiers.
- Harassing Wildlife is using a vessel to kill,
capture, take, pursue, concentrate, drive, or stir up any upland
game birds, game, or fur-bearing animals. Motor-driven vehicles
may not be used to drive, molest, flush, or harass any game animal
or game bird while hunting.
“No Wake Zones” on Lakes in the Western Fishing District
The Western Fishing District includes all waters in Montana west
of the Continental Divide.
Lakes Greater than 35 Acres: All vessels operating
on public lakes and reservoirs greater than 35 surface acres
within the Western Fishing District are limited to “no
wake speed” from the shoreline to 200 feet from the shoreline.
The exceptions include:
- PWCs that must maintain a minimum operating speed to
remain upright and maneuver in the water may travel
at the minimum operating speed following the most direct route
through the “no wake zone” to and from shore.
- Motorized watercraft towing a skier to or from a dock
or the shore. Watercraft must travel the most direct
route through the “no wake zone.”
- Vessels operating on the following lakes located within
the Thompson Chain of Lakes in Lincoln County:
- Crystal Lake
- Horseshoe Lake
- Loon Lake
- McGregor Lake
- Middle Thompson Lake
- Lower Thompson Lake
- Upper lobe of Upper Thompson Lake
Lakes 35 Acres or Less: All vessels operating
on public lakes and reservoirs in the Western Fishing District
that are 35 acres or less of surface water are limited
to “no
wake speed.”
Visit www.fwp.mt.gov for
a list of lakes, their locations, and their sizes.
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