32-1125. Operation prohibitions.

428 words·~2 min read·/ks/chapter-32/32-1125

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

(a)No person shall operate any motorboat or vessel or manipulate any water skis, surfboard or similar device in a reckless or negligent manner so as to endanger the life or property of any person.

(b)No person shall manipulate any water skis, surfboard or similar device while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or both.

(c)No person shall operate any motorboat or vessel for pleasure riding or pull any water skis, surfboard or similar device in any waters of this state marked by buoys or otherwise designated as a mooring, launching, fishing or hunting nonboating area by a county or other political subdivision or by the secretary, except that a motorboat or vessel used for fishing may be operated in a mooring or launching nonboating area.

As used in this subsection, "waters of this state" includes, but is not limited to, any water storage reservoir impoundments over which the secretary has been granted jurisdiction by the proper agency or official of the United States government.

(d)No person shall operate or moor a vessel within a water area which is marked, by buoys or some other distinguishing device, as a bathing or swimming area or as an all-boats-prohibited area. No person shall operate a vessel for purposes other than fishing in areas marked by buoys or otherwise designated as fishing areas, and no person shall operate a vessel for purposes other than hunting in areas marked by buoys or otherwise designated as hunting areas, and in areas designated for combined use of fishing and hunting, vessels may be used for both purposes unless prohibited by federal law.

(e)No owner or person in possession of a vessel shall permit a person under 12 years of age to operate a motorboat unless accompanied and under the direct and audible supervision of a parent or other person over 17 years of age. "Direct and audible supervision" means a person on board the same vessel and in sufficiently close proximity of the operator's station to enable such person to quickly and safely assume control of such vessel if needed.

(f)No operator of a vessel shall willfully fail or refuse to bring such vessel to a stop, or otherwise flee or attempt to elude a pursuing law enforcement vehicle or vessel, when given a visual or audible signal to bring the operator's vessel to a stop. The signal may be given by hand, voice, emergency light or siren and shall be given by a uniformed law enforcement officer prominently displaying the officer's badge of office.