Complying with Officers - New York State 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.

Authorized law enforcement officers have the right to stop and board vessels to check that the vessel and the operator are complying with state and federal laws.

Any person operating a vessel on the waters of the state is required to bring their vessel to a stop after having been requested or signaled to do so by any peace officer. The operator must comply with the directives of that officer. If a vessel is being operated in a hazardous condition (overloading, insufficient PFDs, intoxication), law enforcement officers may terminate the voyage.