BOATING REGULATIONS

LEGAL REQUIREMENTS & REGULATIONS

Click here for a Presentation, from Homeland Security.

This listing is intended to provide basic information in a simplified way about legal requirements and regulations that many boaters must know in order to achieve voluntary compliance with the laws. This information is in no way the exact letter of the law in all cases and is not intended to give that impression. It will be as accurate and up to date as is possible. It is the boaters responsibility to learn more about the laws related to boating safety and to take classes as necessary to become as informed as possible because of the boaters presumption of knowledge. We therefore urge that all boaters and crew take a boating safety course as soon as possible. We do hope the information contained herein will be helpful to boaters to find out what they need to do to properly equip their individual boats. Boats are utilized in many ways for many uses, this means that different boats may require different equipment for its voyage.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries does hope this information is helpful and contributes to many safe and enjoyable days on Louisiana's beautiful waterways.
If you have any questions about the information contained herein please contact Sergeant Rachel Zechenelly at 225-765-2984. For information about boat registrations please call 225-765-2898.

BOATING SAFETY

This is as good a time as any to take a Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Boating Safety Course. Besides saving as much as 20% on your boat insurance it could help save your life. The information provided in the course will help you understand where you should be in relation to other vessels and which vessel has the right of way. You will learn how to read buoys, many navigation rules, right of way, lighting, anchoring, and many other skills needed by boaters on the waterways. This course is good for beginning boaters and old timers as well. Statistics show that most of the people killed in boating accidents are between 29 and 50 years of age with over 500 hours of boating time. Set the example for young boaters and bring someone with you to the course, help them understand and develop the life skill they will be able to use for the rest of their lives.

Vessel Operator Age Information:
Persons born after January 1, 1988, may not operate a motorboat powered by a motor in excess of 10 housepower unless he or she has successfully completed a boating safety course approved by NASBLA. These persons must be in possession of evidence of completion of the approved course whenever operating such a vessel.
It is illegal for anyone under the age of 16 years of age to operate a personal watercraft (PWC). However, persons under 16 who are 13 years of age or older on January 1, 2005, may operate a PWC if they have completed an approved boating safety course and carry proof of completion of the course.

It is illegal for a person who owns or has charge of a personal watercraft to knowingly permit a person under the age of 13 years to operate the PWC.
It is illegal for a rental company to rent a personal watercraft to anyone under 13 years of age.

Definition of a personal watercraft: (Jet Ski)
  A personal watercraft means a vessel which uses and inboard
  motor powering a water jet pump as its primary source of
  motive power and which is designed to be operated by a person
  sitting, standing, or kneeling on the vessel, rather than the
  conventional manner of sitting or standing inside the vessel.

A person shall not operate a personal watercraft unless each person aboard is wearing a Type I, Type II, Type III, or Type V personal flotation device approved by the United States Coast Guard.

A person operating a personal watercraft equipped by the manufacturer with a lanyard type engine cutoff switch shall attach such lanyard to his person, clothing, or flotation device as appropriate for the specific vessel.
A person shall not operate a personal watercraft at any time between the hours from sunset to sunrise.

A personal watercraft shall at all times be operated in a reasonable and prudent manner as defined in R.S. 34:851.5.

No person under the age of sixteen years of age shall operate a personal watercraft on the waters of this state. However persons under 16 years of age who are 13 years of age or older on January 1, 2005, may operate a PWC if they have completed an approved boating safety course and carry proof of completion of the course.

It shall be unlawful for the owner of any personal watercraft or any person having charge over or control of a personal watercraft to authorize or knowingly permit the same to be operated by a person under thirteen years of age in violation of this Section. Any person who violates this Section shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars ($100).
A livery shall not lease, hire, or rent a personal watercraft to or for operation by any person who is under thirteen years of age.