Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Unlawful Operation

Wisconsin law states that these dangerous operating practices are illegal:

• Negligent or Reckless Operation of a vessel or the reckless manipulation of water-skis, a surfboard or similar device is operating in a manner that causes danger to the life, limb or property of any person. Examples of negligent or reckless operation are:
  • Jumping a wake with a motorized vessel within 100 feet of another vessel
  • Jumping the wake of any vessel that is towing a skier, tuber, wakeboarder, etc.
  • Operating a vessel within any area marked off or set aside as a prohibited area or a swim area
  • Weaving your vessel through congested waterway traffic
  • Operating a vessel in a manner to create hazardous wave or wake conditions while approaching or passing another boat
  • Steering toward another object or person in the water and swerving at the last possible moment in order to avoid collision
  • Chasing, harassing or disturbing wildlife with your vessel
• Improper Speed or Distance is not maintaining a proper speed and/or distance while operating a vessel. Specifically, it is illegal to:
  • Operate a vessel at a distance from other vessels or at a speed that exceeds safe and reasonable limits given the waterway traffic, marked speed limits, weather and other boating conditions
  • Exceed the speeds posted or charted in any specific zone or area
  • Operate a vessel repeatedly in a circuitous manner within 200 feet of another vessel or person in the water
  • Operate a vessel within 100 feet of any dock, raft, pier or restricted area at greater than slow, no wake speed
• Riding on Bow or Gunwales is allowing passengers to ride on the bow decking, gunwales or any other position where there is a danger of falling overboard.
• Overloading is defined as operating a vessel that has been loaded beyond the recommended capacity shown on the capacity plate installed by the vessel manufacturer. At least one-half of a vessel’s total depth, measured at the center of the vessel, must remain above water.
• Unsafe Condition is placing or leaving in public waters any vessel that is not safe to operate. Law enforcement officers may instruct the operator to take immediate corrective action or return to mooring if any of the following “unsafe conditions” exist:
  • The vessel is overloaded
  • There are insufficient personal flotation devices, fire extinguishers, backfire flame arrestors, ventilation or navigation lights
  • The vessel is leaking fuel or has fuel in the bilges

Remember—As an owner of a vessel, you are responsible for any injury or damage caused by the reckless or negligent operation of others you allow to use your vessel.