Unlawful Operation - New York State Unlawful Operation

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 or manipulating water skis or similar devices so that the life, limb or property of another is endangered—whether on purpose or not—is illegal.

Examples of unlawful operation include:

• 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

• Allowing passengers to ride on the bow, gunwales, transom, seat backs or anywhere else there is a risk of falling overboard while operating at greater than idle speed (unless the vessel is greater than 16 feet in length and fitted with the appropriate safety railings)

• Exceeding the maximum number of persons or the maximum weight of passengers and cargo, as indicated on the vessel’s capacity plate

• Exceeding the maximum horsepower, as indicated on the vessel’s capacity plate

• Operating a vessel in an unsafe condition, including if the vessel does is not carrying sufficient safety equipment

• Running the engine while someone is holding on to the swim platform, swim deck or swim ladder, or allowing someone to “teak surf” is prohibited due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.