Careless and Reckless Operation in North Carolina
In North Carolina, reckless or negligent operation is defined as operating any boat in such a manner that endangers the life, limb, or property of any person.
Operators must navigate in a reasonable and prudent manner at all times.
Examples of reckless operation includes:
- Operating a boat in a restricted area without regard for other boaters, swimmers, speed limits, wake restrictions, diver-down flags, etc.
- Operating a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Excessive speed near other boats
- Not maintaining adequate distance (from water skiers, other vessels, etc.)
- Hazardous water skiing and towing practices e.g. so as to cause a collision between the person being towed and another person or object
- Bowriding, riding on a seatback, gunwale, or anywhere else there is a risk of falling overboard, or allowing passengers to do so
- Weaving your vessel through congested waterway traffic
- Jumping the wake of another vessel unnecessarily close to that vessel or when there is restricted visibility
- Approaching another vessel intentionally and swerving at the last possible moment in order to avoid collision
