Complying with Officers & Reckless Operation in Kentucky
Complying with Officers in Kentucky
Officers of the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources are primarily responsible for enforcing Kentucky boating laws and regulations. U.S. Coast Guard officers also patrol federal waters.
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.
Reckless Operation in Kentucky
Operators must navigate in a reasonable and prudent manner at all times, this includes maintaining a proper lookout, obeying all speed limitations, and being able to stop in the assured clear distance ahead.
Operating a vessel in a manner than unnecessarily endangers another person or the property of another considered reckless operation and is prohibited.
Examples of reckless operation include:
- Weaving through congested traffic or swerving only at the last possible moment to avoid a collision
- Jumping the wake of another craft in an dangerous manner
- Following too closely to a craft that is towing an individual on water skis or any similar device
- Cutting between a watercraft and the individuals(s) being towed
- Crossing the path of another vessel when visibility is restricted
- Riding or allowing passengers to ride in an obviously dangerous position that could lead to a person falling overboard, unless travelling at idle speed.
It is not permitted to operate a motorboat or PWC within 50 feet of a commercial vessel or its tow that is in operation on a waterway unless consent to do so has been granted by the operator of the commercial vessel.
Vessel operators must always be aware of the wake their vessel is throwing, as it can be dangerous to other water users.
