Who Enforces Boating Laws?

The boating laws of New York are enforced by State Park police; sheriff departments; local, county, and state police; the Department of Environmental Conservation; and Harbormasters and Bay Constables. USCG officers also patrol and have enforcement authority on joint jurisdictional waters.

• 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.