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Show THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Page 12 Volume 11, Issue : 15 June 2000 Highlights from Utah Boating Utah’s boating laws and rules promote the full use and enjoyment of the state’s waterways by boaters, provide for the registration of boats, and ensures the safety of persons and property connected with boating on state waters. State boating laws and rules are administered by the Utah Division of Parks and Recreation. Money from boat registration fees, state tax on gasoline used in motorboats and federal boating safety grants fund Utah’s boating program. The following information includes highlights of Utah’s boating laws and rules, answering frequently asked questions about boating in Utah. For a complete copy, contact the Utah Division of Parks and Recreation. Does my boat have to be registered? Only motorboats and sailboats must be registered and numbered. Boats exempt from Utah registration and numbering include sailboards, and properly registered motorboats and if the boats do not carry passengers for hire. Fire extinguishers are recommended, however. Each fire extinguisher is classified by letter and Roman numeral according to the type of the fire it can extinguish and the size of the extinguisher. Unless exempt, boats under 26 feet long must carry one B-I fire 26 to less-than-40 B-Is or one B-Il. must carry three two B-lIs. Ventilation. extinguisher. Boats feet must carry two Boats 40 to 60 feet B-Is or one B-I and All closed-construction, gasoline-powered motorboats must have ventilators to remove explosive vapors from engine and fuel tank compartments. Be sure the boat is wellventilated before starting, especially after fueling. Because gasoline vapors are heavier than air, they accumulate in the bottom of a boat and can create a dangerous condition. Lights. All boats must use navigation lights while operating on Utah waters between sunset and sunrise. Personal watercraft may not be operated between sunset and sunrise even if they are equipped with navigation lights. Boats at anchor must display an- allround white anchor light unless anchored in a designated mooring area. Marine toilets. Many sources of pol- sailboats owned by residents of anoth- er state which have not been in Utah more than 14 days in a calendar year. What safety equipment must I have on board? Utah law requires that all boats have Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices (PFDs) of prop- er type (type I, II, or I1I), size, in serviceable condition, and readily accessible for each person aboard. Boats 16 feet or more in length also must carry one type IV throwable flotation device that is within easy reach of the operator lution enter Utah’s waterways. Human sewage from boats is one source of pollution that poses environmental and health problems. It is important that you dispose of your sewage properly while boating. It is illegal to deposit human waste into Utah waters or on lands adjacent to these waters. Marine or passenger(s) on board. Passengers 12 years of age or younger must wear an approved PFD when the boat is operating. Children toilets must be emptied at dockside or an enclosed cabin area of boats 19 feet or more in length. Each person being towed on water at other approved sanitation facilities. Please help keep Utah’s waterways beautiful by not littering or polluting in or around them. Other equipment suggestions. Boat properly fitted PFD. On rivers, every person on board a Guard approved visual distress signal, flashlight, first aid kit, boarding ladder, do not have to wear PFDs while inside skis, kneeboards, etc., boat must wear a PFD. must wear a owners For persons U.S. Coast extinguisher. Guard approved Open-construction, under the influence? Utah law prohibits a person under the influence of alcohol or drugs to operate a boat. Conviction of boating under the influence can result in a fine, mandatory jail fire outboard motorboats less than 26 feet long, without permanently installed fuel tanks are not required to carry fire extinguishers to carry a Coast tool kit, extra line, spare spark plugs, spare bilge plug, spare propellers, anchor, etc. ’ What does the law say about boating older than 12 years of age, PFDs may be loosened or removed on designated flat water areas. Contact the Division of Parks and Recreation for a listing of designated flat water areas. Fire extinguisher. All motor boats, unless exempt, must carry a serviceable are advised sentence, community service work assignment and rehabilitation assess. ment. A person operating a boat on Utah waters is considered to have given con- Laws and Rules sent to take any chemical test by a peace officer who feels the person has been operating a boat while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. The arresting officer may seize and impound the offender’s boat, trailer and tow vehicle. If the operator refuses to take the chemical test, his or her boat registration will be revoked for one year. Refusal to take a chemical test will be used as evidence in court. Where is wakeless speed required? Wakeless speed is required within 150 feet of another boat, dock, launching area, designated slow area, other towed devices may be used o between sunrise and sunset. Perse being towed must wear “Coast Gu approved PFD.” Who has the right of way? Sailbo and manually powered craft usu: have the right of way over motorbo: Motorboats person, swimmer, water skier or angler. You are responsible for any injury or damage caused by your boat’s wake. How old must a person be to operate a motorboat or sailbeat? Persons under 16 years of age may operate a motorboat when accompanied on board by a person who is at least 18 years of age. Persons under 16 years of age may operate a sailboat if they are under the direct supervision of a person who is at least 18 years of age. What is the education requirement to operate a personal In narrow channels, boats underw must stay right of the middle of channel. Other safety and courtesy ti Swimming in launching, docki mooring or harbor areas is dangerc and prohibited. “No Swimming” ar are designated for your protecti Swimming from an unanchored b can create a dangerous situation unl one person is on board to operate boat. Wind can cause the boat to dr leaving swimmers stranded in watercraft? Persons 12 to 17 years of age may operate a personal watercraft, e.g., Jet Ski, Waverunner, Sea Doo, etc. provid- ed the rider: completes the Utah Personal Watercraft Education course and has in his possession the Personal Watercraft Education Certificate issued by the Division of Parks and Recreation. In addition to the education requirement, operators who are 12 to 15 years of age must be under the water. Courtesy docks are for your ce direct supervision of a person 18 years venience. Be courteous by leavi your boat there no longer than 15 m of age. A person less than 18 years of age who has not met the above requirements may not operate utes. a personal Boat ramps are for launching or watercraft unless accompanied on board by a person who is at least 18 years of age. Direct supervision means visual contact is maintained by the adult responsible for the youthful boat operator. To enroll a student in the Utah Personal Watercraft Education Course call 538-BOAT Vehicles should be parked in design ed parking areas, never on a launchi ramp. Emergency a proper lookout when towing a person on water skis or other devices. An observer at least eight years old must be on board to watch and communicate with the skier. The observer must display an international orange flag at least 12 inches square when a skier is down in the water. Water skis and various distress signals such as slov and repeatedly raising and lower your outstretched arms. If your b capsizes, it will usually float. S with it for flotation and so you can seen. VERN IVERSON, D.D.S. =3 Centrally Located in Eden *Nitrous Oxide, Stereo & Video *We gladly grocess your insurance claims o *Cosmetic stry Available = EDEN & ns requ Practice putting on your life jacket the water and throwing a type throwable floatation device. Know ators must maintain a safe course with s situations there is a fire, breakdown or collisi What about water skiing? Boat oper- o onto the ramp, a launch quickly. Wt boat, pull it away fr securing it for trave advance planning. Think about what do if someone falls overboard or calling area or 1-800-RIDE-PWC outside the Salt Lake calling area. - Be ready to launch your b before moving complete your retrieving your the ramp before within the Salt Lake All Phases of General Dentistry should stay clear of s: boats and manually powered craft : should not create a wake that n cause them trouble. Sailboats : manually powered craft must yield right of way when overtaking mot boats and when a motorboat is anchor. In overtaking and passing sit tions, the boat being passed has right of way, and the passing boat required to stay clear. When meeting another boat he on, stay to the right. Boats go downstream have right of way. Wi two boats are crossing paths, the b on the left must slow down and all the other boat to pass. - 745 Put on a PFD. Weather is unpredictable. Wa for changing weather c ditions. File a float plan. ] someone where you going and when you v return. It could s: -4663 your life if you bre 2595 NORTH HIGHWAY 162, EDEN UT down or have and ac dent. Learn boating safe Contact the Division Parks and Recreation *Member A.D.A. *Bleaching a free home study cou or information on ot boating safety class Serving Ogden Valley since 1958 We Maintain Day and Evening Hours 2627 North Highway 162 Eden FOR APPOINTMENTS, CALL: 745-3882 Successful complet: of such a course n lower your boat ins ance rates. Dick Dixon Branch Broke 745-3119 FORALLYOUR OGDEN VALLEY REAL ESTATE NEEDS dickd@wardleygmac.com Visit www.dickdixon.org WE MAKE IT HAPPEN! Note: This information pre vided courtesy of the Utah Division of Parks and Recreation. For more info mation call (801) 538-7221 or 538-7438. |
