Who Enforces Boating Laws?

Several different law enforcement agencies enforce Connecticut's state statutes and regulations, and federal navigational laws. All officers of these agencies have the authority to stop and board vessels in order to check for compliance with state and federal laws.

• DEEP law enforcement officers, municipal police officers, state conservation officers, town marine officers, lake patrolmen, and harbormasters are empowered to enforce state boating regulations on both inland and navigable (federally controlled) waters.
• The USCG patrols navigable (federally controlled) waters and enforces federal law. The USCG may partner with local or state agencies to enforce state laws on navigable waters.
• You must not interfere with a law enforcement or fire rescue vessel that is displaying flashing lights or sounding a siren or a commercial vessel that is responding to or towing a vessel in distress and using its flashing lights. Specifically:
  • If the vessel is stopped, you may not operate within a 200-foot radius of it unless you are operating at "slow, no wake speed."
  • If the vessel is approaching, you must take the following actions as soon as you can do so safely.
    • Slow to "slow, no wake speed."
    • Alter your course to allow the law enforcement or fire rescue vessel to pass you easily and safely.
    • Remain at "slow, no wake speed" until you are well clear of the law enforcement or fire rescue vessel unless an officer directs you differently.