Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Enforcement

Washington state parks rangers, Fish and Wildlife agents, city police officers, deputy sheriffs, and all other officers with law enforcement authority enforce the boating laws of Washington. U.S. Coast Guard officers also patrol and have enforcement authority on federally controlled waters.

• Officers have the authority to stop and board your vessel in order to check that you are complying with state and federal laws.
• 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.

Washington state parks rangers, Fish and Wildlife agents, city police officers, deputy sheriffs, and all other officers with law enforcement authority have the right to stop and board vessels in order to check for compliance with state laws.