State Law vs. Federal Law

Registration and Titling Requirements:

Recreational vessels used or moored principally in California's waters must be titled and registered in the state of California. The following are the only exceptions:

• Boats propelled manually
• Boats 8 feet or less in length and propelled solely by sail
• Certain vessels owned by public agencies
• Vessels documented by the Coast Guard
• Foreign vessels
• Ship's lifeboats used solely for life saving purposes
• Vessels having valid registration in the state of principal use and not remaining in California waters for over 90 consecutive days

To register your vessel, you must visit the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Upon receipt of required information, fees and applicable taxes, the DMV will issue a Certificate of Number. This must be kept aboard the boat at all times and be readily available for inspection.

Registration decals are valid for a period of 2 years!

The DMV will also issue a set of registration stickers valid for 2 years. You must display your registration stickers and registration numbers (beginning with CF) on the forward half of your vessel. Letters and numbers must be at least 3" tall in black or other contrasting color. They must be affixed so they are easily read by law enforcement officials. Registration stickers must be displayed three inches away from the number and toward the rear of the boat.

A Certificate of Ownership (title) is also issued by the DMV – keep this in a safe place.

Laws for Required Wearing of PFDs :

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

Children 11 and younger must wear a PFD on boats 26 feet and under!

Additional Equipment Requirements:

In addition to minimum federal equipment requirements, some states may require other safety items to be carried aboard. Currently, California does not require any additional safety equipment beyond the federal requirements. However, the Department of Boating and Waterways recommends consideration of the following additional safety items:

Recommended Additional Safety Equipment!

• Compass and charts
• Marine VHF radio
• Anchoring equipment
• Bailing device
• Spare parts & tools
• Extra starting battery
• Oars or paddles
• Flashlight

Mufflers and Noise Levels:

An effective muffling system is required for the exhaust of each internal combustion engine. Any boat operated on the inland waters of the state of California, or coastal waters up to one mile from shore, must be muffled or otherwise prevented from exceeding the noise levels defined below. Unmodified outboards usually meet legal requirements:

When measured by the Stationary Sound Level Measurement Procedure for Pleasure Motorboats (SAE J2005), motorboats must not exceed:

• 90 dB (A) for engines manufactured before January 1, 1993
• 88 dB (A) for engines manufactured on or after January 1, 1993

Generally, unbaffled exhaust pipes do not meet noise level requirements!

When measured by the Shoreline Sound Level Measurement Procedure (SAE J1970), motorboats must not exceed:

Requirements for Waste, Oil and Garbage Disposal:

• Federal regulations and equipment standards established jointly by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Coast Guard govern the uses of marine sanitation devices (MSDs).
• Federal law forbids the discharge of sewage, treated or untreated, or any waste derived from sewage, into the lakes, reservoirs, or fresh water impoundments in the state of California. It is a misdemeanor to disconnect, bypass, or operate a marine sanitation device so as to discharge sewage into water, unless expressly authorized or permitted by law.
• State law prohibits dumping of any human waste in a marina, yacht harbor, fresh water lake, or fresh water impoundment, from any vessel tied to any dock, slip, or wharf that has toilet facilities available for the use of persons on the vessel.
• A state or local peace officer who reasonably suspects that a vessel is discharging sewage in an area where discharge is prohibited, may board the vessel, if the owner is aboard, for the purpose of inspecting the marine sanitation device for proper operation.

Your boat's marine sanitation device (MSD) may be inspected for proper operation!

• Discharge of fuel, oil or any oil product, including contaminated bilge water, is strictly prohibited. All boats 26 feet or longer must properly display an Oily Waste Discharge placard.
• All boats 26 feet or longer, when operating in waters under federal jurisdiction, must display an informational placard on the subject of federal marine pollution prevention laws. The placard must be of a required size and placed in a location where crew and passengers can read it.
• All boats 40 feet or longer operating more than 3 miles from shore that are equipped with a galley and berthing, must also carry a Waste Management Plan. This plan must outline procedures for proper marine pollution regulations for garbage management and designate a person in charge for carrying out this plan.

Mandatory Education & Licensing:

Although California has no mandatory education requirements, the Department of Boating and Waterways recommends taking a boating safety class offered by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, US Power Squadrons or American Red Cross. The Department of Boating and Waterways also offers a home study guide, called "California Boating" that can be ordered at www.dbw.ca.gov. Additionally, internet courses, such as the BoatU.S. Online Boating Safety Course, are a good way to learn how to make boating safe and enjoyable for everyone.

Persons convicted of on water moving violations must take a court ordered boating safety class!

Any person convicted of a moving violation in the Harbors and Navigation Code, the Federal Rules of the Road and regulations adopted by the Department of Boating and Waterways while operating a vessel shall be ordered by the court to complete and pass an approved boating safety class within 7 months from the time of conviction.

Age & Horsepower Restrictions

A person under the age of 16 may not operate a motorboat of more than 15 horsepower unless the boat is a sailboat and does not exceed 30 feet in length - OR - the boat is a dinghy used between a moored boat and shore or between 2 moored boats. The law does allow persons aged 12-15 to operate motorboats of more than 15 horsepower or sailboats over 30 feet if supervised by a person on board who is at least 18 years of age.

A person under that age of 16 may not operate a personal watercraft (PWC) of more than 15 horsepower unless they are between the ages of 12-15 and are supervised by a person on board who is at least 18 years of age. Any person, who allows an unsupervised person under the age of 16 to operate, is guilty of an infraction.

Reckless & Negligent Operations:

No person shall operate any vessel or manipulate water skis, aquaplane, or similar device in a reckless or negligent manner. The failure to exercise the degree of care necessary to prevent endangering life, limb, or property is considered reckless and negligent.

Some activities considered negligent or reckless operation in California:

• Speeding in confined, congested or restricted areas (no-wake zones)
• Operating under the influence of alcohol or narcotics
• Buzzing or wetting down other boaters or reckless operation of a ski boat
• Allowing a passenger to ride on the gunwale, bow, transom or in any other position obviously dangerous may be considered negligent operation
• Maneuvering towed skiers or towed devices as to pass the towline over another vessel or its skier
• Navigating a vessel, skis or other devices between a towing boat and its tow or tows

Additional laws that apply to personal watercraft (PWC):

• Jumping the wake of another vessel within 100 feet of the other vessel
• Aiming a PWC at another person or vessel and swerving at the last minute to spray
• Operating a PWC close to another vessel so that they must swerve to avoid a collision
• Operating a PWC between sunset and sunrise, even if it is equipped with navigation lights
• Self-circling devices on personal watercraft may not be altered if equipped with such a device
• Personal watercraft may not operate without a properly attached emergency engine cutoff lanyard that runs from the power switch to the operator's body.

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.

• The maximum speed for motorboats within 100 feet of a bather and within 200 feet of a bathing beach, swimming float, diving platform or lifeline, passenger landing being used, or landing where boats are tied up is 5 miles per hour.
• In times of restricted visibility such as in fog, stormy conditions or nighttime operation, you must be able to stop your vessel within half the distance of forward visibility. At all times, operators must be prepared to avoid a collision and have engines ready for immediate maneuvering.

Special Activities Restrictions and Considerations:

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

Special Activities, Restrictions & Requirements:

• Teak surfing, platform dragging, or body surfing behind a vessel, or allowing someone to occupy the swim platform, swim deck, swim step or swim ladder for any period of time, except very briefly (such as loading, unloading or docking) is a violation of California law. These banned activities can have deadly consequences because of the carbon monoxide associated with the boat's exhaust that can accumulate in these areas. Participants can be overcome by exhaust fumes and go unconscious which could lead to drowning. Participants are also dangerously close to the boat's propeller/s which could result in an accident.
• A person on water skis or similar device must wear a properly fitting vest style PFD. Inflatable life jackets and ski belts are not approved.
• When towing a person on water skis or similar device, the observer must be at least 12 years old and able to observe the skier and relay signals to the operator.
• You may not water ski from sunset to sunrise - local laws may also restrict skiing at certain times of the day in certain areas.
• A red or orange 12 inch square flag must be hoisted to indicate a downed skier or a skier preparing to ski, or to indicate that a ski or ski rope is in the water in the vicinity of the vessel.
• Vessels engaged in diving activity and are restricted in their ability to maneuver, must hoist a blue and white alpha flag that measures at least one meter (3'3") in height and must be visible all around the horizon.

Operating Under the Influence

Operating a boat while intoxicated is a federal offense and subject to a $1,000 fine. State Boating Under the Influence (BUI) laws are becoming more stringent. As on the roadways, on-water enforcement officers may administer sobriety tests and conduct a blood alcohol content (BAC) examination.

In California

• No person shall operate any vessel, water skis or similar device while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• No person who is addicted to any drugs shall operate any vessel, water skis or similar device.
• No person 21 years of age or older may operate any type vessel, water skis or similar device with a BAC of 0.08% or greater.
• A person under 21 years of age or older who has been arrested for operating a mechanically propelled vessel "under the influence" may be subjected to a chemical test to determine BAC.
• Refusal to submit to a chemical test may result in increased penalties upon conviction. Guilty operators could receive up to a $1,000 fine and six months in jail.
• A person under the age of 21 with a BAC of 0.01% or more may face a fine of up to $250 and be required to participate in an alcohol education or community service program. The person may also lose their privilege of getting or keeping a driver's license.
• The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) may suspend or revoke your vehicle driver's license if convicted of operating a vessel while intoxicated.
• Any person convicted of operating a motorboat under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be ordered by the court to take a boating safety course approved by the Department of Boating and Waterways.

Officer Authority, Compliance & Assistance

In California, every peace officer of the state, city, county, harbor district, or other political subdivision of the state has the authority to stop and inspect vessels to enforce local boating laws when there is probable cause that a violation exists.

Peace officers of the state have the authority to stop and inspect vessels!

Peace officers also have the authority to terminate voyages, escort boaters ashore, or order boaters to the nearest moorage if an unsafe condition is found that cannot be corrected on the spot.

Boat operators must immediately yield and reduce speed when being overtaken, approached or directed by a law enforcement official operating a siren and/or displaying an illuminated blue light. 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

Anyone involved in a boating accident that results in serious injury, death or disappearance must notify authorities as soon as possible. Be prepared to provide name, address and vessel registration numbers to authorities and all other involved parties.

If you are involved in a boating accident, you must file an accident report with the Department of Boating and Waterways if:

• a person dies, disappears or is injured and requires treatment beyond first aid
• property damage exceeds $500 or there is complete loss of a vessel

Accident reports must be filed:

• Within 48 hours of the occurrence if a person dies within 24 hours of the accident, is injured and requires medical treatment beyond first-aid, or disappears from a vessel.
• Within 10 days of the occurrence of the accident if an earlier report is not required (see above).

An accident report form is available at most sheriff's and harbormaster's offices and many police departments or can be found at www.dbw.ca.gov.

Other State Boating Laws

Often times counties, cities and districts 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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