Negligent or Reckless Operation

Wisconsin law states that the following dangerous operating practices are illegal.

Negligent or Reckless Operation of a vessel or the reckless manipulation of water skis, a surfboard, or a 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 person on water skis, inner tube, wakeboard, or other similar device
• 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 that creates hazardous wave or wake conditions while approaching or passing another vessel
• 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
• Displaying blue-colored lights that may be confused with an authorized patrol or emergency vessel