| North Carolina
Boating Regulations
This section
contains information on North Carolina Boating
Regulations that are in addition to the Federal
Requirements covered in the Basic
Boating Safety Course. If you have not reviewed the course
material, please do so now. All Federal Requirements in the
basic boating course apply to North Carolina; this section lists
North Carolina Boating Requirements that are above and beyond
Federal Requirements. The
following information is copied from http://www.boatsafe.com/North_Carolina/index.htm,
under Regulations. It is provided by the NC
Wildlife Resources Commission. Directly reference these
sites for the most current rules.
Personal
Flotation Devices:
All
recreational vessels must have one Type I, II or III PFD of a
suitable size for each person aboard and each skier being towed.
In addition, recreational vessels 16 feet and over must also
have one throwable Type IV PFD.
Required PFDs
must be readily accessible.
Speed
Limits and Reckless Operation:
Although
local conditions may warrant the imposition of definite
limitations on speed of vessels, a general speed limit is that
which is implied in safe vessel operation under existing
circumstances. Speed which is excessive under the circumstances,
and which endangers persons or property, is one form of reckless
operation which is prohibited by North Carolina boating law.
Watercraft
entering, leaving or passing within 50 yards of a state-owned or
controlled boating and fishing access area must do so at
"no-wake" speed.
No person
shall operate any motorboat or vessel, or manipulate any water
skis, surfboard, or similar device in a reckless or negligent
manner so as to endanger life, limb or property of any person.
Navigation
Rules:
The State of
North Carolina adopts and enforces all Federally mandated
boating safety laws.
Every vessel
operating in the State of North Carolina shall carry and use
safety equipment in accordance with U. S. Coast Guard
requirements as specified in the Code of Federal Regulations.
Additionally, every vessel shall display the lights and shapes
required by the navigation rules.
Diving
and Snorkeling:
All divers,
in waters open to boating, shall display a divers flag
(red with white diagonal stripe) in the area in which the diving
occurs. They may not display the flag when not engaged in diving
or at any location where it will unreasonably obstruct
navigation.
Boaters
should stay at least 50 feet away from a diver-down flag.
Water
Skiing:
No person
shall tow a person on water skis, surfboards or similar device:
- In a
reckless and dangerous manner
- While
under the influence of an impairing substance
- Where the
direction or location of the device may be manipulated or
controlled from the boat so as to cause the person being
towed to collide with any object or person
Water Skiing
is prohibited between one hour after sunset and one hour before
sunrise.
The vessel
towing the skier shall be equipped with a rear vision mirror or
carry an observer (not the boat operator), or the person being
towed is wearing a PFD.
Colonial
Waterbird Nesting Areas:
Coastal
islands and beach areas posted as Colonial Waterbird Nesting
Areas are being managed to protect nesting populations of
pelicans, terns, gulls, herons and egrets. Special regulations
apply. Access is prohibited on these areas from April 1 to
August 31, except by special permit. Dogs may not be allowed on
these areas during this time period. Access on these areas from
September 1 to March 30 will be allowed as authorized by the
land owner.
Accident
Reporting:
Any accident
involving death, disappearance or personal injury beyond first
aid, or damage greater than $500 must be reported. Death,
disappearance and injury cases must be reported within 48 hours.
Other accidents must be reported within 10 days. Accidents
should be reported to the Wildlife Resources Commission on a
form provided by them.
Boating
While Intoxicated:
No person
shall operate any motorboat or vessel, or manipulate any water
skis, surfboard or similar device while under the influence of
an impairing substance, nor operate any motor vessel after
consuming alcohol sufficient to cause a blood alcohol
concentration of 0.08 or greater.
Registration/Documentation:
All vessels
operated on the waters of North Carolina must be numbered
except:
- Vessels
documented by the United States Bureau of Customs or any
federal agency successor thereto
- Foreign
vessels using North Carolina waters temporarily
- Vessels
owned by the United States Government or by a state, county
or municipality
- Vessels
used exclusively as life boats
- Sailboats
not over 14 ft. in length at the load waterline
- Vessels
with no means of propulsion other than drifting or manual
paddling, poling or rowing
- Vessels
with a current number from another state or country
temporarily using North Carolina waters. (Less than 90
consecutive days.)
The
Certificate of Vessel Number must be onboard when the vessel is
in use.
The vessel's
number must be painted or permanently affixed on the forward
half of each side of the vessel
.
North
Carolina and federal boating laws are presented in a summarized
form. The laws in their entirety can be found by consulting
North Carolina State Law. These laws are subject to change. It
is the responsibility of the operator to be aware of the most
current laws when using a boat.
Certain
bodies of water in North Carolina have local restrictions as to
type and size of watercraft or motor horsepower, restricted use
areas, boat speed, and times for use. Check with the local
authorities for these additional restrictions.
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