Connecticut Water Trails Association
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Connecticut Water Trails Association |
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Connecticut Water Trails Program
Connecticut Water Bar
Connecticut Boating Law Basics
State Law
vs. Federal Law
State boating regulations and laws may differ from federal regulations taught in most boating courses. This supplement should answer any questions you may have regarding state laws. Any other questions or comments should be directed to your boating instructor or the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection Boating Division (860) 434-8638. The final exam for your course will include 10 questions prepared by the Boating Division and refer to Connecticut laws and regulations. Annual updates reflecting changes in Boating laws can be found in the Connecticut Boater's Guide. This publication is available at most Town Clerks’ offices and DEP or Motor Vehicle offices throughout the state.
Connecticut Boating Legislation
Connecticut’s hundreds of lakes, ponds, rivers and streams, as well as Long Island Sound and Fishers Island Sound offer a variety of recreational opportunities for the boating enthusiast. Long considered one of the nations most beautiful places to boat, Connecticut brings diversity to the water. Whether fishing, cruising, sailing or paddling, you are certain to find a new ‘favorite spot’. Connecticut’s award winning boater education program is second to none and considered one of the country’s finest. A course in Safe Boating and Personal Watercraft Handling can not only be enjoyable and informative, but is required to obtain your certification. Our new Paddle Safety course is a great introduction to paddlesports covering such topics as equipment, types of paddle-craft, strokes and much more. Making certain that your vessel has the proper safety equipment will help reduce boating accidents and deaths. Life jackets help prevent drowning, the number one cause of boating fatalities. Please insist that all in your party wear life jackets. The Department of Environmental Protection is working hard to keep Connecticut’s waterways safe, clean and fun for all boaters. We look to every boat operator to help us in our efforts by knowing and obeying the laws and regulations as well as exercising sound environmental practices. Enjoy your time on our waters. Make the sound choice to boat safely and responsibly.
In addition to the federal PFD carriage requirements,
Connecticut has the following requirements for wearing a PFD: Canoes,
Kayaks, and Manually Powered Vessels - From October 1st – May 31th any
person onboard a canoe must wear an approved wearable PFD. This applies to
all manually powered vessels. Children
– Any child under the age of 12
must wear a USCG approved wearable PFD whenever on board a
recreational boat that is underway except when the child is in an enclosed
cabin or below decks. (NOTE: Inflatable PFDs are not approved for children
under the age of 16). Waterskiing
- Any person on water-skis, tubes or being towed,
must wear a USCG approved PFD
(inflatables excluded). Personal
Watercraft (PWC) – Every person on a PWC
must wear a USCG approved PFD
(inflatables excluded).
Children under the age of 12 must wear a PFD on a boat when on deck while
underway!
Additional Equipment Requirements
Beyond minimum federal equipment requirements, some states may have additional requirements for certain bodies of water. Please check with your local waterway authority before heading out. The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection recommends the consideration of the following items depending on the length of your boat and where you do your boating
Recommended Additional Safety Equipment:
Reckless & Negligent Operations:
No person shall operate any vessel in a reckless or
negligent manner. The failure to exercise the degree of care necessary to
prevent endangering life, limb, or property may be considered reckless,
negligent and/or unsafe operation. Below are just a few of the prohibited
methods of operation in Connecticut.
Following Too Closely:
Every vessel overtaking another vessel shall keep out of the way of the overtaken vessel. Any person operating a vessel shall not follow another vessel more closely than is reasonable and prudent and shall have regard for prevailing circumstances and conditions so as not to create a risk of collision. Additionally, it is also unlawful.
To overload or overpower a boat beyond its safe
carrying capacity or beyond what is prudent given weather and other
operating conditions.
Operating Under The Influence
No person may operate a boat
when under the influence of alcohol or drugs. An operator must be free
from physical and mental disabilities that might interfere with the
control of the boat. Water-skiing under the influence is also illegal.
A person shall be considered under the influence of
intoxicating liquor if the ratio of alcohol in the blood is .08 per cent
or more. If you are under the age of 21 it is .02 per cent.
Officer Authority, Compliance & Assistance
In Connecticut, officers of the Law Enforcement
Division of the Natural Resources, county sheriffs’ departments, other
sworn officers and peace officers, as well as the U.S. Coast Guard have
the duty to provide for safety on the water and have the authority to stop
and/or inspect vessels to enforce Connecticut and federal boating laws.
Boat operators must immediately yield and reduce speed when being overtaken, approached or directed by a law enforcement official or halt progress as directed. When operating in an area of law enforcement activity, you should reduce speed and give a wide berth until beyond the area of operation of the law enforcement vessel.
Accident Reporting Requirements
All operators of vessels involved in an accident
must remain at the scene and assist any other vessel or person involved in
the accident if it is possible to do so without endangering their own
vessel or the people aboard. The operator must also provide his or her
name, address, and vessel identification to the other operator or owners
of the damaged property.
The operator of a boat involved in a boating accident
that results in any of the circumstances noted below shall immediately
notify the nearest Law Enforcement agency. Within 48 hours after the
accident, the operator must submit to the Department of Environmental
Protection a “State Boating Accident Report” if the accident results in
any of the following:
Any accident in which the total damages to all property affected is more than $500.00 must be reported by the operator within 5 days of the accident on the “State Boating Accident Report” form.
Other State Boating Laws
Oftentimes counties, cities and districts within a
state will have different, more restrictive laws. Boating laws are subject
to change and it is your responsibility to be informed of the law as it
applies to you and your on-water activities. To be absolutely certain
about specific boating laws in your state it is wise to contact your state
boating agency.
It is Your Responsibility – Be Informed!
Boating Legislation
House Bill 5806 (An Act Concerning Boating Safety) amends boating statutes to incorporate by reference federal safety, navigation lighting and equipment requirements, to hold a person in control of a boat or personal watercraft responsible for permitting a person under sixteen years of age to operate a boat or personal watercraft without a safe boating certificate or certificate of personal watercraft operation, to authorize the Department of Environmental Protection to penalize persons teaching unapproved boating courses, to define the term "boat livery" and place certain restrictions on persons who rent and persons who operate rental boats.
A number of federal regulations are incorporated by reference into Connecticut boating statutes under House Bill 5806. Summary of important boating law changes that go into effect October 1, 2008.
Children:
Temporary Certificates:
Boat Livery:
Boating Education:
Equipment Requirements:
Living On The Shore Access To Your Boat:Your Littoral Rights
Contact The Connecticut Boating Division Department Of Environmental Protection79 Elm Street - Hartford, Connecticut 06106-5127
Phone:
(860) 424-3000
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