Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
Boating Safety Section
2 Natural Resources Drive
Little Rock, Arkansas 72205
501 -223-6379
Game & Fish Web Site
Reprinted from an Arkansas Game and Fish Commision brochure
NEW LAWS FOR 1999
Note: New boating laws have been passed by the Arkansas Legislature, and they
went into effect July 30. These statutes fall into two categories:
1) Insurance for boats; and 2) Rules for personal watercraft,
often called jet skis.
Insurance for boats: Here are the highlights of Act 468, pertaining to insurance for boats:
* Requires that all boats with motors over 50 horsepower and all personal watercraft have a minimum of $50,000 liability insurance before operating on the waters of Arkansas. * Requires proof of insurance in order to register a boat or renew a registration. * Proof of insurance must be carried on the boat while it is operating. * Requires boat liveries (marinas) to carry a minimum $500,000 in liability coverage.
* Operators must be at least 14 years old to operate a personal watercraft without supervision. Persons 12 and 13 years old may operate with someone at least 18 years on board. Persons under 12 must have someone at least 21 years old on board in a position to take immediate control of the personal watercraft. * Operators can not exceed 10 miles per hour within 100 feet of the rear of another boat or personal watercraft and within 50 feet of either side of another boat or personal watercraft. * Operating at a greater than no-wake speed within 100 feet of an anchored or moored vessel, shoreline, dock pier, swim float, marked swim area, swimmer, surfer, person engaged in angling or any manually propelled vessel is prohibited. * Personal watercraft operators must have an observer to tow a skier. Mirrors are not allowed for skiing on personal watercraft. Also the personal watercraft must be able to accommodate the operator, observer and person being towed. Personal watercraft must be designed for a minimum of three persons in order to tow skiers. * Personal watercraft cannot be operated from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise. Running lights do not exempt personal watercraft from this. * The operator is required to wear the engine cut-off lanyard (kill switch) securely attached to his/her person, clothing, or personal flotation device at all times while operating. * Becoming airborne while jumping the wake of another vessel, within 100 feet of that vessel, is prohibited. * No person who owns a personal watercraft or who has charge over or control of a personal watercraft may authorize or knowingly permit the personal watercraft to be operated in violation of the personal watercraft law. This applies to a renter, too. * Liveries are required to have renters view a state-approved personal watercraft video prior to operating a personal watercraft.
REGISTRATION
Arkansas law requires the registration of vessels propelled by sail or machinery of any type. Exceptions:
Arkansas boat owners have the option of registering their boat at the office of the County RevenueAgent in the county where the boat is principally used or in their home county. Listing for assessment of taxes is required.
Effective January 1, 1996, registrations will be valid for 3 years. 1996 registration fees will be: Vessels less than 16 feet in length, $6.00; Vessels 16 to less than 26 feet, $12.00; Vessels 26 feet or more, $18.00.
Persons who purchase new or used boats will have 20 working days to register the boat in their name. Boats may be operated during this 20 day period with the bill of sale carried on board to prove ownership and date of purchase.
Out-of-state boats with valid registrations may be operated for up to 90 days without registering in Arkansas.
Military personnel stationed inArkansas are not required to exchange valid out-of-state registrations forArkansas registration. Recognized Dealers and Manufacturers may obtain an annual permit from the County RevenueAgent, at a cost of $2.00 per year, which enables a dealer, manufacturer, or his agent to operate an unregistered motorboat for demonstration or testing purposes only. The County RevenueAgent issues an identifying number which must be temporarily attached or displayed on both sides of the bow of any motorboat used for demonstration or testing purposes.
REGISTRATION NUMBER DISPLAY
The identification number assigned to each registered vessel shall be:
A pair of color-coded validation stickers are issued with the boat registration. These indicate the expiration date. Place one sticker on each side of the bow 3 inches behind, and on the same level as the identifying number.
No other numbers may be displayed on the bow of the vessel.
MUFFLER EQUIPMENT
Arkansas law prohibits the operation of any motorboat without an effective exhaust muffling system which insures quietness of operation, except during an authorized race or regatta.
LIGHTS
During the hours of darkness, all vessels must be equipped with prescribed lights: All vessels on non-federal waters and all non-powered (no motor on board) rowboats, canoes, or sailboats must have readily accessible, a light source to be used in sufficient time to prevent a collision. Motorboats operating on federally-controlled waters must have the combination red and green light on the bow and white horizon light aft (on stern).
LIFE PRESERVERS: PFD
State law passed in 1995, requires:
Boats under 16 feet in length, canoes and kayaks must have one Type 1, II or III (wearable) Personal Flotation Device (PFD) in serviceable condition and of proper size for each person on board.
Boats, 16 feet or longer, must have one Type I, II or III (wearable) PFD in serviceable condition and of proper size for each person on board and one Type IV (throwable) PFD in each boat.
Children under the age of 13 must wear a well fitting PFD at all times while aboard a boat. The only exceptions are when they are within the enclosed area of a houseboat, cruiser or within the railings of a party barge while the boat is not underway.
Personal watercraft: Occupants of personal watercraft (such as Jet skis, Sea-doos, etc.) are required to wear PFDs.
TYPES OF PFDs
Type I PFD, or offshore life jacket, provides the most buoyancy. It is effective for all waters, especially open, rough or remote waters where rescue may be delayed. It is designed to turn most unconscious wearers in the water to a face-up position. The Type I comes in two sizes. The adult size provides at least 22 pounds buoyancy, the child size. 11 Pounds.
Type II PFD, or near-shore buoyant vest, is intended for calm, inland water or where there is a good chance of quick rescue. This type will turn some unconscious wearers to a face-up position in the water but not as effectively as a Type I device. An adult size device provides at least 15'/2 pounds buoyancy, a child size provides 11 pounds. Infant sizes provide at least 7 pounds buoyancy.
Type III PFD, or flotation aid, is intended for calm, inland water where there is a good chance of quick rescue. It is designed so conscious wearers can place themselves in a face-up position in the water. The wearer may have to tilt his head back to avoid turning facedown in the water. Examples of Type III PFDs are float coats, fishing vests and vests designed with features suitable for various sports.
Type IV PFD, or throwable device, is intended for calm, inland water with heavy boat traffic where help is always present. It is designed to be thrown to a person in the water and grasped and held by the user until rescued. It is not designed to be worn. Type IV devices include buoyant cushions, ring buoys and horseshoe buoys.
Type V PFD, a special use device, is intended for specific activities and may be carried instead of another PFD only if used according to the approval condition on the label. Some Type V devices provide significant hypothermia protection. Varieties include deck suits, work vests, board sailing vests, and inflatable PFD's. If a type V PFD is used in place of a type 1, II or III, it must be worn at all times.
WATER SKIING
A person being towed on water skis, aquaplanes, or similar devices must wear a Type I, II, III, or V PFD. This does not apply to organized water carnivals or exhibitions. Water skiing or similar activity is prohibited during the hours of darkness (one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise). Boats towing persons on water skis or similar devices must have, in addition to the driver, an observer at least 12 years of age or a wide angle convex marine mirror to observe the person being towed.
PROHIBITED OPERATION
Operation of any vessel, water skis, or similar devices in a reckless or negligent manner so as to endanger the life, limb, or property of any person is prohibited; including but not limited to, weaving through congested vessel traffic, operating within 100 feet of a towboat that is underway, jumping the wake of another vessel too close to such other vessel, or when visibility around such other vessel is obstructed and swerving at the last possible moment to avoid collision shall constitute reckless operation of a vessel. Operation of a vessel in a negligent manner, including but not limited to, inattentive operation, failure to keep a proper lookout, failure to observe the inland navigation rules of the road as implemented by the United States Coast
Guard, or operating in a manner which results in a collision with another vessel or object is prohibited.
Persons under 12 years of age may not operate a boat powered by more than 10 horsepower except under the direct and audible supervision of a parent, guardian, or other person over 17 years old.
Operation at such a rate of speed as to create hazardous wash or wake upon approaching or passing vessels is prohibited.
Operation at a speed exceeding 5 miles per hour within 100 feet of a designated recreation area, a dock, pier, raft, float, boat, dam intake structure, or other obstruction is prohibited unless a contrary speed limit is posted.
Operators of vessels 26 feet or less in length may not allow any person to ride or sit on the gunwales or on the decking over the bow while underway unless they are engaged with adequate guards or railing to prevent passengers from being lost overboard. This does not prevent fishing from a forward deck while under the power of a trolling motor.
Loading a vessel beyond its safe carrying capacity as stated on the manufacturers capacity plate or overpowering a boat with a motor that exceeds the maximum safe horsepower on the capacity plate is prohibited.
No person shall operate or give permission for the operation of a motorboat which is not properly equipped or numbered.
Sirens or blue lights are prohibited except on law enforcement vessels.
Operating a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is prohibited.A blood alcohol level of .10% establishes that the operator is under the influence. Operators who register .10% or above are subject to arrest. Any person who operates a boat on the waters of the state is consenting to a test to determine if they are intoxicated.
Motorboats powered with greater than 25 horsepower motors may not be operated on the Eleven Point River from its confluence with the Spring River, upstream to the Arkansas and Missouri state line .
ACCIDENT REPORTING
The operator of every vessel involved in a collision, accident, or other casualty, is required by Arkansas Law to: (1 ) Render such assistance as may be practicable to other persons affected by the incident in order to save them or minimize any danger—so far as he can without serious danger to his own vessel, crew, or passengers. (2) Give his name, address, and identification of his vessel in writing to any person injured and to the owner of any property damaged in the incident. (3) Notify the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission or local Sheriff's department of the accident in order for an officer to respond and investigate the accident. To report a BoatingAccident call 1-800-482-9262. All accidents involving death, injury or property damane of $500 or more must be reported.
LAW ENFORCEMENT
It is the duty of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and County Sheriffs' departments to enforce the provisions of the Boating Laws. Commission Wildlife Officers have the authority to stop and board anv vessel subject to the Act.
Boating Education courses are being offered statewide, free of charge. If you are interested in signing up for a course, contact the Boating Education Section at 223-6378.
The information contained in this document is a summary of Arkansas Boating Law, Title 27, as amended, and the regulations promulgated by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. It is not, nor is intended to be, a complete copy. Certain waters are controlled by special regulations normally posted at boating access areas. For detailed information, contact your local Wildlife Officer or the Boating Law Administrator, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205 (501-223-6379). Revised 2-29-96