Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Obstructing Navigation

Vessel operators should always be considerate of other vessel operators even when stopping to anchor or moor. Keep in mind that it is illegal to:

• Operate any vessel in such a way that it will unnecessarily interfere with the safe navigation of other vessels on the waterway.
• Anchor a vessel to a bridge, under a bridge or in a heavily traveled portion of a river or channel.
• Moor or attach a vessel to a buoy (other than a mooring buoy), beacon, light, or any other navigational aid.
• Move, displace, tamper with, damage, or destroy any navigational aid.

Illegal to Place without Permission

• It is illegal to place on or near the waters of Utah any waterway marker, except a diver’s flag, without written authorization by Utah State Parks and Recreation or by an authorized federal agency.
• It is illegal to place any permanent or anchored objects on the waters of Utah, which may be hazardous to navigation, without written authorization by Utah State Parks and Recreation or by an authorized federal agency.

Homeland Security Restrictions

Recreational boaters have a role in keeping our waterways safe and secure.

• Violators of the restrictions below can expect a quick and potentially severe response.
  • Do not approach within 100 yards, and slow to minimum speed within 500 yards of any U.S. Naval vessel. If you need to pass within 100 yards of a U.S. Naval vessel for safe passage, you must contact the U.S. Naval vessel or the Coast Guard escort vessel on VHF-FM channel 16.
  • Observe and avoid all security zones. Avoid commercial port operation areas, especially those that involve military, cruise-line or petroleum facilities. Observe and avoid other restricted areas near dams, power plants, etc.
  • Do not stop or anchor beneath bridges or in narrow channels.
  • Do not approach or challenge anyone who is acting in a suspicious manner.
• Keep a sharp eye out for anything that looks peculiar or out of the ordinary. Report all suspicious activities to the local law enforcement, the U.S. Coast Guard, or the National Response Center at 877-24WATCH.

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