2013 Virginia Freshwater Fishing & Watercraft Owner's Guide

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2013 Fishing Regs & WOG 11-15-12_Layout 1 11/16/12 1:02 PM Page 60Safe OperationEnforcementBoating laws are enforced primarily by ConservationPolice Officers employed by VDGIF.These officers have full police powers andhave the right to lawfully stop and boardyour boat at any time to check for properregistration and required safety equipment.Unlawful Acts• Reckless operation of boat, water skis oraquaplane.• Operating, while intoxicated, a boat,aquaplane or water skis.• Operating or giving permission tooperate an unregistered motorboat.• Operating or giving permission to operatea boat with an expired Certificate ofNumber.• Operating a motorboat with numberimproperly displayed.• Operating a boat with unauthorizednumber displayed.• Failing to carry the Certificate of Numberon board or refusing to show it to inspectingofficers.• Operating a registered motorboatmore than 90 days in Virginia withoutregistering it here.• Failing to report a change of address of aregistered motorboat owner within 15days.• Failure to report loss or abandonment ofa registered boat within 15 days.• Failure to exhibit lights as required by lawbetween sunset and sunrise.• A vessel operator failing to stop, renderassistance, give name and address at thescene of an accident or failing to file anaccident report within 10 days.• Towing a water skier not wearing a USCGapproved life jacket without an observerin the boat.• Operating a motorboat without amuffled exhaust or with a cutout on theexhaust.• Failure to obey regulatory watermarkers.• Operating a motorboat or skis in an areadesignated for swimming.• Engaging in snorkeling or scuba diving inwaters open to boating without displayinga flag (no boat shall approach closerthan 25 yards when flag displayed).Speed LawsNo Wake1. “No Wake” is defined as the slowestpossible speed required to maintainsteerage and headway.2. It shall be unlawful to operate anymotorboat greater than no wake speedin areas marked with regulatory “NoWake” buoys.3. It shall be unlawful to operate anymotorboat greater that no wake speedwhen within 50 feet or less of docks,piers, boathouses, boat ramps, andpeople in the water. This definition doesnot prohibit the pulling of a skier with arope of less than 50 feet, nor a personaccompanying the motorboat (wakesurfing) provided the motorboat ispropelled by an inboard motor.Slacken SpeedOperators shall reduce speed to avoidendangering persons or property by theeffect of the motorboat’s wake whenapproaching or passing vessels under way,lying to, at anchor, or made fast to the shore;or, when approaching or passing piers,docks, or boathouses; or when approachingor passing persons in the water or usingwater skis or surfboards.Safe SpeedA safe speed is a speed less than the maximumat which the operator can take properand effective action to avoid collision andstop within a distance appropriate to theprevailing circumstances and conditions.In establishing a safe operating speed,the operator shall take into account:visibility, traffic density, ability to maneuverthe vessel (stopping distance and turningability), background light at night, proximityof navigational hazards, draft of the vessel,limitations of radar equipment, and thestate of wind, sea, and current.Unsafe PracticesIt is unlawful to allow any person to ride orsit on the bow, gunwales, transom, or on thedecking over the bow of the vessel whileunder power unless such motorboat isprovided with adequate guards or railing toprevent passengers from falls overboard.Passengers or other persons aboard a watercraftmay occupy these areas of the vessel tomoor or anchor the watercraft, to cast off, orfor any other necessary purpose.Boating EducationInformationThe VDGIF provides a free classroom boatingsafety course, Boat Virginia. This courseis available throughout Virginia during theyear. The VDGIF also supports NASBLAapproved boating courses offered by theUSCG Auxiliary (USCGAux) and the U.S.Power Squadrons (USPS). There are severalinternet courses that meet Virginia’s BoatingSafety Education Requirement (see informationabout this requirement on page 61).For a complete up-to-date list of boatingsafety education course offerings and boat-Did you get your Virginia Lifetime Boater’s Card?Our new Lifetime Virginia Boater’s Card is available to those who meet the boating safetyeducation requirement. This durable, drivers license styled card is available for a fee of$10.00. If you meet any of the below listed requirements – you may apply today!• Completed a NASBLA approved boating safetycourse (U.S. Power Squadrons, U.S. CoastGuard Auxiliary, other states’ boating safetycourses, or internet courses)• Completed a Virginia Challenge Exam• Have lost your original Boat Virginia card• Possess/once possessed a valid license tooperate a vessel issued to maritime personnelby the United States Coast Guard or a marine certificate issued by the Canadian government• Possess a Canadian Pleasure Craft Operator’s Card• Possess/once possessed a commercial fisherman registrationApplications can be found on the Department’s website atwww.dgif.virginia.gov/boating/education/.602013 Virginia Freshwater Fishing & Boating Guide
2013 Fishing Regs & WOG 11-15-12_Layout 1 11/16/12 1:02 PM Page 61ing safety information, visit our web-site atwww.dgif.virginia.gov/boating/education/.To arrange a free vessel safety check, pleasecall 1-800-245-2628 or contact localUSCGAuxiliary or USPS member.National Safe Boating WeekMay 18–24, 2013Virginia Boating SafetyEducation RequirementIn 2007, the Virginia General Assemblyenacted a law establishing requirements forboating safety education. This applies to ALLmotorboat operators with a motor of10 horsepower and greater. This requirementwill be phased in over several yearsas follows:Personal Watercraft (PWC) “jet-ski”PWC, ALL ages by July 1, 2012Motorboat (MB) 10 hp and greaterMB, age 30 or younger, July 1, 2012MB, age 40 or younger, July 1, 2013MB, age 45 or younger, July 1, 2014MB, age 50 or younger, July 1, 2015MB, ALL ages, July 1, 2016Do I need to take a boating course?YES – If you have never taken a NASBLAapproved boating safety course and you fallwithin the phase-in schedule (no grand -fathering).NO – If you have previously taken a NASBLAapproved boating safety course and stillhave a card/certificate.NO – If you hold or have held a licenseto operate a vessel (Master, Captain,or Mate).NO – If you are or have been a RegisteredCommercial Fisherman.If your boat is registered in another stateor if are planning to rent a boat visit ourwebsite for more information.Personal Watercraft (PWC)OperationA personal watercraft is a motorboat lessthan 16 feet in length which uses an inboardmotor powering a jet pump as its primarymotive power and which is designed to beoperated by a person sitting, standing orkneeling on, rather than in the conventionalmanner of sitting or standing inside thevessel.PWCs must follow all rules and regulationsfor motorboats. There are additionalrules and regulations for PWC operators asfollows:1. It shall be unlawful for any person to operatea PWC, or the owner or any personhaving control to authorize or knowinglypermit a person to operate a PWC, unlessthe operator is at least 16 years of age.Any person age 14 or 15 may operate aPWC if they have successfully completedan approved boating education safetycourse, carry proof of successful completionof such course, and show this proofupon request by a law enforcementofficer.2. It is unlawful to operate a PWC unless theoperator, each rider and anyone beingtowed by a PWC is wearing a Type I, II, III,or V USCG approved life jacket. Inflatablelife jackets are prohibited.3. If the PWC is equipped with a lanyardtypeengine cut-off switch, the operatormust attach the lanyard to his person,clothing, or life jacket.4. It is unlawful to operate a PWC aftersunset or before sunrise.5. It is unlawful to operate a PWC whilecarrying passengers in excess of thenumber for which the craft was designedby the manufacturer; including towedpassengers.6. A person shall be guilty of reckless operationwho operates any PWC recklessly soas to endanger the life, limb, or propertyof any person, which shall include, butnot be limited to: (1) weaving throughother vessels which are underway,stopped, moored or anchored whileexceeding a reasonable speed; (2) followinganother vessel or skier, crossing thepath of another vessel or skier, crossingthe path of another vessel more closelythan is reasonable and prudent; (3) crossingbetween the towing vessel and askier; or (4) steering toward an object orperson and turning sharply in close proximityto such object or person in order tospray or attempt to spray an object or personwith the wash or jet spray of thePWC.7. PWC operators must maintain “no wake”operation when within 50 feet or less ofdocks, piers, boathouses, boat ramps,people in the water and vessels otherthan PWCs. PWCs may tow a skier with arope less than 50 feet. No wake is definedas “The slowest possible speed requiredto maintain steerage and headway”.The above provisions do not apply toparticipants in regattas, races, marineparades, tournaments or exhibitionsapproved by the Board of the VDGIF or theUSCG.Navigation RulesMost boating accidents are the result ofcollision, either between two vessels, orbetween a vessel and a fixed or submergedobject. For this reason, boat operatorsare cautioned to follow the establishedNavigation Rules, especially maintaining aproper lookout and safe speed.Remember the three basic rules ofnavigation:1. Practice Good Seamanship – it is theresponsibility of every vessel or PWCoperator to take all necessary action toavoid collisions. Such action should betaken in ample time to avoid a collisionand at a safe distance from other vessels.2. Keep a Proper Lookout – every operatormust keep a proper lookout using bothsight and hearing at all times. Watch andlisten for other vessels, radio communications,navigation hazards, and othersinvolved in water activities.3. Maintain a Safe Speed – safe speed willvary depending upon conditions suchas wind, water conditions, navigationhazards, visibility, surrounding vesseltraffic, and the maneuverability of yourvessel.The boat operator is responsible for knowingand following all of the applicable navigationalrules. Copies of the rules may beobtained from the Superintendent of Documents,U.S. Government Printing Office,Washington, D.C. 20402, 202-512-1800.The stock number is 050-012-00192-8.On the Web at: http://www.uscg.mil/vtm/navrules/ navrules.pdf.Right Side = StarboardLeft Side = Port(cont. pg. 63)www.HuntFishVA.com 61
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2013 Virginia Freshwater Fishing & Watercraft Owner's Guide

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