State Law vs. Federal Law

Registration and Titling Requirements:

To operate a vessel equipped with propulsion machinery on the waters of Alaska, it must be registered with the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and display current registration numbers and validation decals. The following vessels are exceptions from registration:

• Non-motorized vessels such as canoes, kayaks, rafts and sailboats without motors are not required to be registered, but may be. Registration assists in emergencies and boat theft investigations and can substantially reduce the time and cost involved with these efforts.
• "Vessels having valid registration in another state and not remaining in Alaska waters for more than 90 consecutive days.
• Ship's life boats that are used solely for life-saving purposes.
• Large boats properly documented with the Unites States Coast Guard

Once the DMV is in receipt of the application and fee, you will be issued an Alaska Certificate of Number. This must be kept aboard the boat at all times and be readily available for inspection by a law enforcement officer. You will also be issued a set of Validation Decals. The boat registration and validation decals are valid for three years.

The boat registration and validation decals are valid for three years!

You must display your validation decals and registration numbers (beginning with AK) on the forward half of your vessel well above the waterline where it can be easily read by law enforcement officials. Letters and numbers are to be block style of at least 3" tall and must be black or another color that contrasts with the hull. Letters and numbers are to read from left to right and have a space or hyphen to separate letters and numbers. The validation decals must be affixed within six inches and in line with the registration numbers.

Laws for Required Wearing of PFDs :

In addition to the federal PFD carriage requirements, Alaska has the following requirements for wearing a PFD:

Children under 13 years of age must wear a properly fitting PFD while boating!

Additional Equipment Requirements:

All vessels must have aboard the minimum federal equipment requirements. However, some states may require additional safety gear to be carried aboard - check with your local waterway authorities before going out. The Alaska Office of Boating Safety suggests the following items:

Recommended Additional Safety Equipment!

• Compass, GPS, maps/charts
• Marine VHF radio or cell phone in a waterproof bag
• Anchoring equipment
• Bailing device
• Spare parts & tools
• Oars or paddles
• First Aid kit
• Overnight Kit: tarp, sleeping bag and extra food and water
• Distress signals on your person
• Reboarding device

Mandatory Education and Age Requirements:

• At this time, Alaska has no mandatory education requirements. However, the Alaska Office of Boating Safety highly recommends that all boaters take boating courses relevant to their type of boating, and then continue to refresh and build on their knowledge over time.
• Boaters should look for courses that are approved by the National Association of Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) such as those offered by the United States Power Squadrons (USPS) or the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary (USCGA). The BoatU.S. Online Boating Safety course is NASBLA approved and is a good learning tool as well.
• On waters of state parks in Alaska all operators under 14 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

Reckless & Negligent Operation:

The failure to exercise the degree of care necessary to prevent endangering persons, property or wildlife may be considered careless or negligent operation. Therefore, no person shall operate any vessel or manipulate water skis, wakeboard, tube or similar device in manner that can bring harm to you, your passengers, other boaters or the environment.

Some activities that may be discouraged in Alaska:

• Speeding in no-wake zones or boating in areas marked as restricted.
• Weaving through congested waterways and other boat traffic or failure to follow the navigation rules.
• Exceeding the weight or number of persons on board or overpowering the craft with an engine larger than designated as listed on the capacity plate.
• Allowing a passenger to ride on the gunwale, bow, transom or in any other position that is obviously dangerous.
• Chasing, harassing or disturbing wildlife with your vessel.

Some personal watercraft (PWC) activities that may be discouraged:

• It is recommended to slow to within 10 miles per hour (mph) when within 100 feet of a motorboat or a sailboat underway.
• It is recommended to slow to within no-wake speed when within 100 feet of anchored boats or paddlecraft, or within 200 feet of the shoreline, a swimmer, diver's flag, dock or launch ramp.
• PWC operation is discouraged between sunset and sunrise or at other times of restricted visibility unless properly equipped with the required navigation lights.
• Avoid wake jumping and operating in the same area for extended periods of time. Also, avoid operating too close to popular anchorages and camping areas.
• It is strongly recommended that if a PWC is equipped with an emergency engine cut off lanyard, it should be properly attached to the operator during operation.

Boat Speed Limits:

Boat speed limits are regulated by law for certain areas and conditions. When no speed limit is posted, operate your boat so that it will not endanger others. Always keep a proper lookout and never load a boat with passengers or cargo beyond its safe carrying capacity. You are responsible for your wake!

• White buoys with red or orange markings and black letters will indicate speed limits and no-wake zones.
• When operating your boat in a no-wake zone you must proceed at a speed at which the vessel does not produce a wake, not to exceed 5 miles per hour.
• At all times, travel at a safe speed so that proper and effective action to avoid collision can be taken and the boat stopped in an appropriate distance, especially in times of restricted visibility such as in fog or stormy conditions.

Special Activities Restrictions and Considerations:

Many states regulate certain water sports activities such as waterskiing, diving and hunting from a vessel. For your safety, and for those who may be in the water, you should learn and abide by these special laws.

Special Activities, Restrictions & Requirements:

• Ski boats towing a skier should keep at least 100 feet away from other boats.
• Boaters must either have an observer that is at least 12 years of age or a rear view mirror installed on the boat to monitor the skier.
• Skiers that are under 13 years of age must wear a PFD. It is recommended when towing a person 13 years of age or older on water skis or similar device, the participant should wear a properly fitting U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD.
• Vessels engaged in scuba diving and snorkeling should display a red and white diver down flag. Although display of this flag is not required, when boaters encounter this flag, they should stay at least 100 feet away unless operating at no wake speed.
• It is recommended to that vessels engaged in diving activity and restricted in their ability to maneuver, should hoist a blue and white Alfa flag. This does not replace the diver's flag.

Operating Under the Influence

Under both state and federal law, operating a boat while intoxicated is illegal. As on the roadways, on-water enforcement officers may administer sobriety tests and conduct a chemical test to determine level of sobriety.

In Alaska

• No person shall operate any vessel, personal watercraft, water skis or similar device while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Boaters that have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or greater are considered boating/operating under the influence (OUI).
• Alaska law prescribes fines and possible jail times for those who violate state OUI laws.

Officer Authority, Compliance & Assistance

Alaska State Park Rangers, Troopers and other peace officers have the authority to stop, halt or inspect vessels to enforce Alaska and federal boating laws. Additionally, the United States Coast Guard has enforcement authority on federally controlled waters.

State park rangers, troopers and other peace officers have the authority to enforce boating laws!

Boat operators must immediately yield and reduce speed when being overtaken, approached or directed by a law enforcement official. When operating in an area of law enforcement activity, you must reduce speed and give a wide berth until beyond the area of operation of the law enforcement vessel.

Accident Reporting Requirements

Other State Boating Laws

Often times local jurisdictions such as municipalities or State and Federal Management Areas within a state will have different, more restrictive laws. Boating laws are subject to change and it is your responsibility to be informed of the law as it applies to you and your on-water activities. To be absolutely certain about specific boating laws in your state it is wise to contact your state boating agency.

It is Your Responsibility – Be Informed!

We provide this information as a service and strive to keep this website up to date. Please let us know of any inconsistencies by bringing them to our attention at once at onlinecourse@boatus.com. Resources for these pages include state statutes, state web pages and state approved boating guides. BoatU.S. is not responsible for any misinterpretation of the law or any change in the law that is not adequately reflected in these pages. Damages as a result of failing to abide by stated law shall not be the responsibility of BoatU.S., BoatU.S. Foundation or its employees.

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