Careless Operation

South Dakota law states that these dangerous operating practices are illegal.

Careless Operation of a vessel is operating in a way that creates undue hazard to others. Examples of careless operation include:

• Operating in a way that creates an undue hazard to other boats, swimmers, and persons on shore by its wash or wake.
• Operating at speeds that are unreasonable for the time, place, and surrounding conditions.
• Operating at unreasonable speeds or water-skiing in harbors or near bathing beaches, docks, landings, piers, anchorages, anchored boats, or fishing boats. Speed is reasonable when it does not create an undue hazard or cause damage to others.