New York Boating Laws & Regulations

Boating accident in New York State

In the case of an accident, it is the vessel operator’s duty to immediately stop their vessel and give assistance anyone involved or injured in the accident to the extent that they are able without endangering their own vessel or passengers. 

The vessel’s operator must supply his/her name, address, and vessel registration information (including the name and address of the vessel’s owner, if not the operator) to anyone injured in the accident as well as to the owner of any property damaged in the accident. 

New York State Marine toilets - Littering - Oil spills

It is illegal to discharge sewage into any of New York’s land locked-lakes that are completely within state borders as well as into any designated No Discharge Zones.

The No Discharge Zones in New York State are: Hempstead Harbor, Hudson River, water intake zones, Hudson River Estuary, Huntington-Northport Bay Complex, Jamaica Bay, Lake Champlain, Lake Erie, Lake George, Lake Ontario, Long Island Sound, Mamaroneck Harbor, New York State Canal System, Oyster Bay/Cold Spring Harbor, Peconic Estuary, Peconic Waters, East Hampton, Port Jefferson, Seneca and Cayuga Lakes, South Shore Estuary Reserve

Vessels with a marine toilet (or any equipment resulting in the drainage of waste water) must be fitted with an approved (Type III marine sanitation device) holding tank that may only be emptied at approved sanitation (marine pumpout) facilities.

Aquatic invasive species in New York

Introducing non-native species into state or federally controlled waters can upset the ecosystem and hurt the environment by clogging waterways and crowding out native species.

Invasive quagga and zebra mussels are a particular problem as they reproduce rapidly and destroy fisheries, pollute the beaches and shoreline, and cause damage to boats and equipment.

Reasonable precautions must be taken to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. A number of New York counties, towns and villages prohibit aquatic invasive species (for example, on vessels, trailers or equipment).

You can help prevent the introduction and spread of non-native species from one body of water to another by thoroughly checking, draining, cleaning and drying your boat and trailer.

Complying with officers

New York State Park Police, and other authorized law enforcement officers may enforce New York boating laws and regulations. U.S. Coast Guard officers and officers of other federal agencies also have enforcement authority on interstate waters.

Unlawful boating operation in New York

• Operating at speeds that do not allow the operator to stop the vessel in the assured clear distance ahead

• Also, following or operating too close to another vessel, and operating too close to swimmers or divers.

• Operating at speeds that create dangerous wake

• Attempting to spray others with the wake from your vessel

• Exceeding any marked speed limitations

• Operating without keeping a proper lookout

• Operating at night without the required navigation lights

New York State safe speed

Vessel speed is generally* limited to 5 mph within 100 feet of:

• The shore

• A dock or pier

• An anchored boat

• A raft or float

*The 5mph limit extends to 200 feet on some bodies of water.

A number of bodies of water impose 45 mph daytime and 25 mph nighttime speed limits. Check the regulations for where you plan to go boating with local authorities. 

Towed water sports in New York

There must be a person, other than the operator, on board who is at least 10 years old and who continually observes the person being towed.

The towing vessel must have a capacity rating at least equal to the number of people operating, observing, and being towed.

Towing people on water skis or similar devices is only permitted from sunrise to sunset.

Sound signaling device in NYS

All powered vessels—including PWCs—must carry a sound-producing device, such as a horn or whistle, capable of a two-second blast that is audible for at least half a mile.