Unsafe Conditions

New York law prohibits reckless operation of a vessel. The following are some examples of reckless operation.

Riding on the Bow, Deck, or Gunwale is allowing passengers to ride on the bow, gunwale, transom, seat backs, seats on raised decks, or any other place that is not equipped with fixed seating and there may be a chance of falling overboard. This does not apply to persons involved with mooring, anchoring, or handling the sails of a vessel.

Unsafe Condition is operating a vessel in a condition that causes a hazard to the occupants or others on the waterways. Law enforcement officers may instruct the operator to immediately return to the nearest dock or safe anchorage, and the operator may not continue operating until the condition is corrected. Examples of conditions that are considered unsafe operation include:

• There are insufficient personal flotation devices, fire extinguishers, backfire flame arrestors, ventilation systems, or navigation lights.
• The boat is overloaded or overpowered.
• The boat has fuel in the bilge.
• The operator is intoxicated.