America’s Boating Course 3 rd Edition

1. Illinois State & Local Regulations Chapter 2 Section 8 America’s Boating Course3rd Edition >>

2. Ready References Illinois Boat Registration and Safety Act Information http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/boating/Documents/BoatDigest.pdf http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=1826&ChapterID=49 The ABC3 Student Manual and handbooks provided in this course will serve you well as refresher and as ready reference Stay abreast of Federal and Illinois laws ILLINOIS Boat REGISTRATION & SAFETY ACT INFORMATION Prepare with Safety Education

3. Law Enforcement • DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES - • Application and Jurisdiction • has complete jurisdiction of all waters within the boundaries of the State of Illinois. • Inspection, Enforcement & Prosecutions • agents may board and inspect any watercraft at any time to determine compliance with this Act. • Resistance to Officers • unlawful to resist or obstruct any officer or employee in the discharge of his duties

4. Authorized Emergency Watercraft • Authorized emergency watercraft include law enforcement, USCG and emergency responders • Identified by combinations of flashing red, blue and white lights and agency markings • Boaters must yield right of way, slow to no wake speed, move to the right to allow passage and stop

5. Boat Registration • All boats used in Illinois must be registered and titled. Exemptions – • Sailboards • Lifeboats used exclusively as lifeboats • Boats currently licensed in another state being used in Illinois for no longer than 60 consecutive days • Other boats may be exempted by the Department of Natural Resources • Jon boats, canoes and kayaks not required to register – Purchase Water Usage Stamp • Registration and title is required for all watercraft operated in Illinois waters • PWC • Motorized sailboat • Exempt if - • Registered in another state, and visiting less than 60 days • Temp for foreign • Lifeboat • No-motor sail

6. Display the Registration Number • Renewed every three years • Validated by new expiration decals • Number and decal, with contrasting colors, on port and starboard bows • , • 3” block letters, reading from left to right • Documented boats exempt Space is required between IL and the numbers, and again after the numbers

7. Non-Powered Watercraft • Have valid water usage stamp • Affixed to visible area on exterior or interior • The water usage stamp bears the calendar year the stamp is in effect

8. Life Jacket Laws A USCG approved wearable personal floatation device (PFD) correctly sized and in serviceable condition is required on board for every person Boats 16 feet and longer must additionally carry a USCG approved throwable device (not canoe or kayak) Persons being towed (skiers/tubes), those under 13, and those operating PWC MUST wear a PFD PFDs with water impact ratings are suggested for high speed watersports such as operating PWC and being towed

9. IL Boat Traffic Rules • Meeting situation (head on): • When meeting so as to involve risk of collision • Each boat MUST bear to the right for port to port passage • Crossing situation: • Approaching each other obliquely • Boat approaching on the right side has right of way • Overtaking situation: • May overtake on either side • Grant right of way to overtaken boat • Motorboat must yield to sail/human powered boats

10. Marine Sanitation Devices (MSD) • MSD holds sewage • Some MSDs can treat sewage • Use pumpout stations • Illinois waters are NoDischarge Zones. • Marine Heads must be sealed to prevent discharge • No discharge in Lake Michigan >> 10

11. Careless Operation • No person shall operate any watercraft - • In careless or heedless manner to • endanger persons or property • At a rate of speed greater than will • permit him, in the exercise of reasonable care, to bring the watercraft to a stop • within the assured clear distance ahead.

12. Reckless Operation • Operating any watercraft to endanger life, limb or property • Weave through congested traffic • Jump the wake of another boat at close proximity or when visibility obstructed • Wait until last possible moment to swerve to avoid collision • Pass close to another craft creating hazardous wake

13. Restricted Areas • No operating in restricted areas marked by REGULATORY marks (white buoys or signs with orange geometric symbols) • Max speed on NO-WAKE areas is 5 MPH • - In posted No-Wake areas and • - Within 150 feet of public launch

14. Skin Diving • Boaters remain 150 feet away from flag • Not interfere with fishing, established traffic lanes or block boat traffic Minimum 12 by 15 inch flag. Clearly visible for 100 yards. Divers remain inside 50 foot radius from flag

15. Additional Boating Laws • Unlawful to operate a Personal Watercraft between the hors of sunset and sunrise • All motorboats shall be equipped with an effective muffler • Motorboat with internal combustion engine must have at least one USCG approved fire extinguisher • Lawful operation of a motorboat requires having a whistle, horn or other appliance able to producing a blast audible ½ mile

16. Water Skiing / Tubing • Tow boat capacity of at least THREE persons • Must be occupied by at least TWO competent people • No skiing between ½ hour after sunset to ½ hour prior to sunrise • Persons towed considered part of tow boat capacity • Display not less than 12 inch square ORANGE FLAG when launching, towing and recovering any towed person(s)

17. Alcohol and Drugs Intoxicated is under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance, or drugs or any combination of this items Similar laws to Driving Under Influence Illinois is an “Implied Consent” state Refusal to submit to test can lead to arrest DUI in boat can cause loss of drivers license

18. Passenger Location NO RIDING ON - Gunwales Tops of seat backs Decking over bow Decking over stern Unless inboard of the guards or rails provided to prevent persons overboard Anchoring, mooring or casting off, or other necessary purpose OK

19. Boating Education Certificate • Certificate requirements as of January 1, 2016 • Persons born on or after January 1, 1998 are required to hold Boating Safety Certificate (BSC) to operate motorboat with over 10 horsepower, • No person under 10 years of age may operate a motorboat • 10 to 12 years of age may operate motorboat if under direct on-board supervision of parent or guardian / person at least 18 with Safety Certificate • Persons 12 to 18 years may operate a 10 hp motorboat holds a BSC. If no BSC, while under direct control of parent / guardian / 18 year old holding BSC

20. Boating Accident Reports • Operators of vessels involved in accidents must provide to any person injured and owner property damaged: • Render Aid (if practical) to affected persons • Provide name, address and vessel information • Operators who failed to stop or comply with this section must as soon as possible but no later than ONE hour after the collision or accident report the incident to the nearest police station or sheriff’s office

21. Boating Accidents The operator of every vessel is required by the IL Boat Registration Act of 1959 to file a report in writing whenever a boating accident results in loss of life, injury to a person or property damage in excess of $2000. If serious injury or death must submit to chemical testing (breath, blood or urine). For non-emergency accidents, call your regional office or the Springfield office at 217-782-6431.For emergency reports, Call 911 or you local State Police District Office dispatch center, districtfinder.cfm

22. International Marine Pollution Law

23. Oil/Fuel Spills Spills reported immediately to; US Coast Guard at 1-800-424-8802 Placard displayed for vessels 26 feet and longer’

24. Aquatic Nuisances To prevent the spread of non-native fish and mollusks in our waterways, boaters should follow these simple rules: • Trailer boaters should remove visible mud, plants, fish or animals from boats and trailers prior to transport to another body of water. • Scrape any mussels from boat or outdrive, and flush hull, bilges & water holding compartments with hot water (use 1 quart / gal of vinegar). • Do not release plants or fish, including bait, into a body of water unless it came out of that same body of water.

25. From Other ABC3 Sections • Know your boat’s capacity – capacity plate -7 • Know fueling procedures and check lists – 3 • Use a FLOAT PLAN – 3 and appendix D • Navigation Rules – 4 • Skiers and towed watersports - 13 • Aids to Navigation – 5 • Weather and Emergencies – 11 • Use pre-boating briefing check list – 3 • Navigation lights and sound devices – 7 • Engine Cut-off devices connected - 15

26. Illinois Boating Contacts • Boating questions may be directed to: • ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES – OFFICE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE • One Natural Resources Way • Springfield, IL 62702 - 1271 • (217) 782 -6431

27. End Chapter 2