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:

• Moor or attach a vessel to a 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.
• Interfere with the passage of large, deep-draft vessels which can navigate safely only inside such channels.

Safe Navigation

Vessel operators should always operate in a manner that allows all vessels to navigate safely, especially when operating in narrow waterways or around commercial vessel traffic.

• In narrow channels every vessel must, when it is safe and practical, keep to that side of the fairway or mid-channel which lies on the starboard side of the vessel.
• Where a vessel operator's vision is obscured by bridges or other obstructions ahead, by sharp bends in a narrow waterway, or by fog and weather conditions, the vessel must be operated at reduced speed such that it can be stopped, if necessary, within the distance the operator or a lookout is able to see ahead.

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and U.S. Power Squadrons will perform a Vessel Safety Check (VSC) of your vessel and equipment free of charge. This inspection covers federal and state requirements. If your vessel meets all VSC requirements, you will receive a VSC decal. If your vessel fails to meet all requirements, no report is made to any law enforcement 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 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 U.S. 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 the channel.
• Keep a sharp eye out for anything that looks peculiar or out of the ordinary. Report all activities that seem suspicious to the local authorities, the U.S. Coast Guard, or the port or marina security.

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