America’s Boating Course 3 rd Edition

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

2. Your References • Summary of boating laws • Questions to - • Kentucky Department • Of Fish and Wildlife • Resources at - • 800-858-1549 • Actual wording at – http://www.lrc.state.ky.us/kar/frntpage.htm

3. Boat Registration Boat registration for ONE year, expires April 30 each year

4. Boater Education Who Needs the Card? Persons 12 to 17 years old who are unaccompanied and operate a motorized vessel over 10 hp in Kentucky • Have passed an approved boating safety course and carry on board their boater education certificate or… • Are accompanied on board by a person 18 years old or older or by a person who possesses a boater education card. • Boater education card does not expire and does not need to be renewed.

5. Water Skiing • Applies to persons being towed • All being towed must wear PFD • Allowed only between sunrise and sunset • Must have 12 year or older observer or wide angel mirror • Illegal to tow while intoxicated • Stay clear of no ski zones – • No towing within 100 feet of commercial boat dock, moorage harbor, swim area • None within 2000 feet of lock or dam

6. Prohibited Riding • When operating above idle speed passengers shall not ride– • on enclosed bow • outside protective railing of pontoon or houseboat • on a seat extends six inches above plane of gunwales • on sides, back, engine cover, back of seat, or any other obviously dangerous position

7. Kentucky FWL Owned Lakes • Idle speed when passing other boats • Boats 22 feet or less in length • Exeptions on some lakes • Houseboats are not permitted • No PWC on Cedar Creek Lake • Swimming only in designated areas w/lifeguard on duty • No skin or scuba diving • Underwater exhaust required • Water-skiing in designated areas only

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, those under 12, and those operating PWC MUST wear the PFD • PFDs with water impact ratings are suggested for high speed watersports such as operating PWC and being towed

9. Boating Under the Influence • Kentucky is a “consent to test” state • Shall not operate while intoxicated or under influence of substance which impairs ability • Drinking of alcoholic beverages on waterways is prohibited

10. Marine Sanitation Devices (MSD) • MSD holds sewage • Some MSDs can treat sewage • Use pumpout stations • Most Kentucky waters are NoDischarge Zones. • Type I and II marine Heads must be sealed to prevent discharge • >> • 10

11. Diving/Snorkeling Flags • Boaters remain 100 feet away from flag • Divers within 50 feet of diver flag • No diving in traffic lanes or interfer with fishing

12. PWC Operations • Personal watercraft can only be operated between sunrise and sunset. • Personal watercraft without self-circling capability must have a lanyard type engine kill switch attached to the operator when the craft is underway. • Operators and passengers must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device (PFD.)

13. PWC Operations • Must operate in reasonable and prudent manner • Prohibited operations • Weaving through congested traffic • Following watercraft towing persons • Jumping wake of other watercraft • Cut between boat and towed people • Cross paths of boats when visibility is restricted • Steer toward others “chicken”

14. PWC Operations • No operations between sunset and sunrise • Clear commercial tows at least 50 ft • Must be at least 12 years old and 12 – 17 with Safe Boating Certificate • Parents or guardians supervising minors under 18 shall not allow violation

15. Liability for Negligent Operation • Operator shall be liable for injury or damage resulting from negligence • Owner is liable if aboard • Family Purpose Doctrine as applied to motor vehicles applies to boating

16. Reporting a Boating Accident Duty to stop and offer assistance Report required when – • Damage over $500 by or to the vessel or its equipment; • Injury (requiring medical help beyond first aid) or loss of life; and/or • Disappearance of any person on board a vessel.

17. Time Frame for Reporting • Within 48 hours if: • a person involved is injured and cannot perform usual activities • a person disappears • Within 10 days if: • there is loss of life within 24 hours of the accident • an earlier report is not required but becomes necessary • the boat or property damage is in excess of $500 or total boat loss

18. Report an Accident Law Enforcement Division — Boating Accident The Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources #1 Sportsman Lane Frankfort, Ky. 40601 Central Office in Frankfort, 800-858-1549

19. International Marine Pollution Law

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

21. 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.

22. 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

23. End Chapter 2