2011MN_boatingguide

8/6/2019 2011MN_boatingguide

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PLEASE NOTEThis book summarizes Minnesotas boating

laws and regulations in an easy-to-read orm.It supplies the inormation that most boatersneed to know about operating watercrat onthe states lakes and rivers. It does not presentthe actual laws and regulations, however. I youdesire a copy o these laws and regulations,

please contact the Department o NaturalResources Boat and Water Saety Section atthe address listed at the end o this booklet.

It should also be noted that laws and regula-tions are subject to change by the legislatureand through public hearings. Boaters mayalso be subject to ederal and local rules andrestrictions.

SEE PAGE 48 FOR INFORMATIONON LOCAL BOATING RESTRICTIONS

AND

PAGES 63-64 FOR FEDERAL WEBSITES

New LawDrain Plug law or boats, page 23.Check The Drain Plug (sticker), page 66.

New


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LICENSING YOUR BOAT.................................. 1What Must Be Licensed ...................................... 1License Procedures and Fees .............................. 2Hull Identication Number................................. 2License Certicate and Numbering ..................... 3Fees or Watercrat Registration and Titling .......... 4

Expiration and Renewal .......................................8Duplicate Licenses ..............................................9Transer o Ownership .........................................9Destroying or Abandoning Your Boat ...................9Dealers License ................................................10Collector Watercrat...........................................10

Watercrat Titling ...............................................10

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT ............................... 12Personal Flotation Devices (Lie Jackets) ............12Navigation Lights ...............................................17Fire Extinguishers ...............................................20

Ventilation .........................................................21Flame Arrestors ..................................................21Whistles/Horns ..................................................21Mufers/Noise Limits .........................................22Marine Toilets ....................................................22Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers ...................................23

GENERAL OPERATION...................................24Enorcement ......................................................24Age o Operators ...............................................24Rules o the Road ..............................................26Move Over Law .................................................27

Waterway Markers .............................................27General Prohibitions ..........................................31Capacity and Overloading .................................32Boating While Intoxicated (BWI) .......................32Water Skiing, Tubing, & Wake Boarding ............34Personal Watercrat (Jet Skis) ..............................35

Renting Watercrat .............................................42Accidents ......................................................... 42

2011Minnesota Boating Guide


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OTHER WATER ACTIVITIES ..........................43Scuba Diving .....................................................43Swimming .........................................................44

Temporary Structures, Docks and Buoys ............45Special Events ....................................................46Public Waters - Permits ......................................46Aquatic Plant Management - Permits .................46

LOCAL BOATING RESTRICTIONS .................48

BOAT TRAILERS.............................................48

BOATING SAFETY TIPS .................................49Cold Water Survival Time...................................51Propeller Injuries ...............................................52The Circle o Death ........................................52

THE SILENT KILLER - CARBONMONOXIDE .....................................................54

THE DROWNING MACHINE ..........................55

FLOAT PLAN...................................................56

BOATING COURSES .......................................56

BOATING ON LAKE SUPERIOR.....................56Visual Distress Signals .......................................57

SECURITY.......................................................58

PUBLIC WATER ACCESS...............................59Inormation & Maps...........................................59Launching Your Boat ..........................................59

WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS ...............60

SUNKEN BOATS & VEHICLES.......................60AGENCY DIRECTORY.....................................61

SUNRISE AND SUNSET TIMESCHEDULE.......................................................65

FREE PUBLICATIONS ORDER FORM...........66


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1

LICENSING YOUR BOAT

WHAT MUST BE LICENSED

All motorized and non-motorized watercrat mustbe licensed by the Department o Natural Resources(DNR). The types o watercrat that must be licensedinclude, but are not limited to, motorboats, row-

boats, sailboats, sailboards, canoes, kayaks, paddleboats, rowing shells or sculls, all-terrain vehiclesused in the water, and infatable crat.

Exceptions to this law are as ollows:

1. Watercrat currently registered in anotherstate and not kept in Minnesota or morethan 90 consecutive days.

2. Watercrat rom a country other than theUnited States and not kept in Minnesota ormore than 90 consecutive days.

3. Watercrat owned by the United Statesgovernment or other specied governmentalunits, except those boats used or rec-reational purposes.

4. Watercrat documented with the UnitedStates Coast Guard. (Note: Documentation is

a process where ocial papers on crat venet tons or larger are issued by the CoastGuard instead o state registration.)

5. A ships lieboat.6. Duck boats during the duck hunting season,

rice boats during the harvest season andseaplanes.7. Non-motorized watercrat nine eet in length

or less.

Unless a license is issued and in eect, its against

the law to operate or permit the operation o anywatercrat which requires a license.


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2

LICENSE PROCEDURES AND FEES

Register your watercrat in person at any deputy

registrar o motor vehicles (where you license yourcar); at the DNR License Center in St. Paul (addressat the end o this booklet) or do renewals online atwww.wildlielicense.com/mn/. When you registeryour boat, know its length, manuacturer, type ohull material (wood, metal, or plastic), type o pro-pulsion, model, year, serial or hull identicationnumber (HIN) and have a sales receipt that showsyou have paid the sales tax.

HULL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

A hull identication number (HIN) or serial num-ber is vital in registering and titling your boat. It isalso important to recovery i your boat is stolen ori there is a recall campaign by the manuacturer.

HINs can be ound on all boats manuactured

since model year 1973. They are a letter-numbercombination usually about 12-17 digits long (ex-ample: ABC12345L402) and are usually ound onthe right side o the stern or transom o the crat onthe outside. They may be stamped into the berglassor aluminum, or be on a separate plate. Location

may vary slightly on pontoon boats, personal wa-tercrat, kayaks, canoes etc. Boats built beore No-vember 1972 should have a shorter serial numbersomewhere on the crat.

Hull IdenticationNumber - usuallyfound on stern


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3

Length is the straight-line distance rom theoremost part o the boat (bow) to the rearmost parto the boat (stern). Bowsprits, outboard motor

brackets, rudders and other attachments are notincluded in the measurement. Watercrat licenses cover a period o threecalendar years and expire on December 31 o thelast year the license is valid. The expiration dateappears on both the license certicate and on the

validation decals which are applied to the boat.

LICENSE CERTIFICATE AND NUMBERING

I you apply or a new boat registration or renewan existing one in person at a deputy registrar (any-place you get your auto license) or the DNR LicenseCenter, you will receive your boat license decal andregistration card on the spot. I you apply throughthe mail, it will probably take several weeks beoreyou receive your decal and card.

Sign your license and keep it on board whenyou use it. I you are operating a non-motorizedcanoe, kayak, rowing shell, paddle boat, sailboardor sailboat you dont have to carry the license withyou. However, i an enorcement ocer asks to seeit, you must produce it within a reasonable time.

The owner o rented watercrat may keep thelicense certicate at the place the boat is rentedrom. The name o the rental business must beprinted on both sides o the rear hal o the watercratin letters at least three inches high.

The number issued to your boat appears on the

license. Except or non-motorized canoes, kayaks,rowing shells, paddle boats, sailboards and sailboats,this number must be displayed on the orward halo the hull on each side o the crat (see illustrationon page 6 ). The letters and numerals must be

at least three inches high, o a block character,and contrast with the background. They can


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4

Wa

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5

Foreachtitletra

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be painted or attached to the crat. They should readrom let to right and must always be legible.

Beore applying decals or numbers on the wa-

tercrat, make sure the surace is ree o dirt, grease,water, oil and wax. When you place your numberon your boat, leave a 2 to 3 inch space - or providea hyphen - between the MN and the our-digitnumber. Leave another 2 to 3 inch space or hyphenbetween the number and the two letters which ol-

low. Place the validation decal to the stern or rear othe license number within our inches o the licensenumber (see illustration below). Remember, onlythe current decal must be visible. Remove theexpired decals rst, beore applying the new ones.

Correct placement o license numbers and decalsThe license number which appears on your watercrat license cardmust be displayed on your boat as shown below.

95

License Numberat least 3" high letters MN 1234 AB{3"

2" - 3"space

Less than

4" space

License Number Area

Decal to rearand within 4"of license number

Left (port)side of boat

95

95

Less than

4" space

License Number AreaRight(starboard)side of boat

Decal to rearand within 4"of license number

License Numberat least 3" high letters MN 1234 AB{3"

2" - 3"space

95

6


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Decal

Decal

Decal

Decal

7

No other number, letter, or design may appearwithin 24 inches o the license number or decal.

The license number issued to your crat appears

on the decal and on the card. I your canoe, kayak,rowing shell, paddle boat, sailboard or sailboatdoesnt have a motor, place the decal on each side othe orward hal o the crat. No three-inch numbersare necessary (see illustration below).

On sailboards and non-motorized sailboats,you may also place the decals on the stern i it isimpossible, because o the boats design, to placethem on the bow (see illustration below).


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Correct placement of license numbers and decalsfor motorized canoes and sailboats

MN 1234

CA

MN 1234 AB

I your canoe or sailboat is motorized, ax thethree-inch letters and numbers as previously de-scribed or other motorized crat. The square decal

should be placed to the stern or to the rear o thenumber (see illustration below).

EXPIRATION AND RENEWAL

All watercrat licenses expire on December 31o the last year the license is valid. Normally, youwill receive a notice by mail to renew your licenseor another three-year period. But whether you arenotied or not, you are responsible or renewing thelicense or your watercrat.

When you obtain your new license certicate

and validation decals, discard your old license


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certicate and replace the expired decals on yourboat with the new ones. Remember, only the cur-rent set o decals must be showing!

DUPLICATE LICENSES

Need a duplicate license? Stop by your localdeputy registrar o motor vehicles oce or theDNR License Center. To apply by mail, write to

the DNR License Center and ask or it. Be sure tosign your name on the letter and include the regis-tration number, description o the boat and the hullidentication number (HIN). The ee or a duplicatelicense is listed on the watercrat license ee chart.

TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP

I you buy a boat that is currently licensed inMinnesota, obtain the current license certicaterom the previous owner. Send or deliver it, along

with an application for transfer and the transfer feelisted on the ee chart, to the DNR License Center ordeputy registrar. Transer applications must be madewithin 15 days ater the transer actually occurs.The transferred registration is valid only or the timeremaining on the previous owners registration.

Then you must renew your license.

DESTROYING OR ABANDONING YOURBOAT

I you destroy or abandon your watercrat - or i

you license it in another state - notiy the LicenseCenter within 15 days.


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DEALERS LICENSE

Boat and motor dealers, wholesalers and man-

uacturers may apply or a dealers license or wa-tercrat used or demonstration purposes or or anyother purpose necessary to conduct business. Adealer will be issued only one number. This num-ber must be displayed on both sides o boats used orthese purposes, however, and may be detachable.

COLLECTOR WATERCRAFT

Watercrat that were built beore July 1, 1959,and are used solely as a collectors item, have the

option o displaying the boat registration numberand current decal on the orward hal o the boaton both sides on a detachable plate or board.The number size, type and decal placement isthe same as noted on pages 3-8 o this guide.

WATERCRAFT TITLING As a saeguard or boat owners, the MinnesotaLegislature created a law which requires the titlingo certain watercrat.

A watercrat title provides proo o ownership,

which becomes very important when buying orselling a boat.

A title also protects businesses that make boatloans, and aids in the recovery o stolen watercrat.

To determine whether or not your boat needsto be titled, review the check list on the ollowingpage.


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I your boat matches any o the descriptionsbelow, it DOES NOT need to be titled. My boat:

Is registered in another state and is neverused in Minnesota or over 90 days at atime.

Was manuactured beore August 1, 1979. Is 16 eet or less in length. Is a rowboat with oar locks and an outboard

motor rating o less than 40 HP. Is a canoe, kayak, ships lieboat or

seaplane. Is a documented vessel (documentation is

a process where ofcial papers are issued

by the Coast Guard on boats o 5 net tonsor larger). Is owned by a manuacturer or dealer and

is held or sale. Is used by a manufacturer for testing

purposes only.

Is a duck boat used only in season orduck hunting. Is a rice boat used only in season or

ricing. Is owned by a resort or recreational

camping area which is licensed by

the Minnesota Department o Health. Is a rowing shell or scull (not an ordinary

rowboat). Is owned by the United States, a state, this

state, or a political subdivision.

I you didnt check o any o the above conditions,you do need to title your boat.

I you need to title your boat, or arent sure i itneeds to be titled, contact any deputy registrar omotor vehicles office or the Department of Natural

Resources License Center or more inormation.


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TYPE III

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT

PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICES(Lie Jackets)

There are ve types o personal fotation devices(PFDs or lie jackets) approved or use on recre-ational boats:

Type I O-Shore Lie Jacket. This is a vest oryoke type device generally ound on commercialcrat. It is designed to turn most unconscious per-sons rom a ace downward to a ace up positionin the water.

Type II Near-Shore Buoyant Vest. The buoy-ant vest usually looks like a horse collar and is wornlike a bib. It has an unconscious turning abilitysimilar to the Type I, but it will not turn as manypersons under the same conditions.

Type III Flotation Aid. These devices areusually oam-lled and come in several colors andstyles, including ull-sleeved jackets. Type IIIdevices are not designed to turn an unconscious

victim, but they do provide protection or immersionhypothermia (exposure to cold water).

TYPE I TYPE II


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Type IV Throwable Devices. (BuoyantCushion, Ring Buoy or Horseshoe Buoy) Thesedevices are designed to be thrown to a victim in

the water, rather than worn. Cushions especiallyshould be checked oten to see i they are inserviceable condition.

TYPE IV

Type V Special Use

Devices. These are designed and ap-proved or restricted uses such as asailboarding harness, duck huntingfotation coveralls, or a whitewaterrating vest. This type o fotationdevice is restricted to the particularactivity or which it was designed.The label will indicate any restric-tions that apply to the particulardevice. Some Type Vs such as theHybrid PFD must be worn to be

counted in the total number o PFDson board your boat.

TYPE V

INFLATABLE

Infatable Lie Jackets The infatable PFD hasthe advantage o being very comortable and easyto wear. Once infated, the fotation is equal to or

greater than traditional lie jackets. Infatables dohave a couple o disadvantages. They must be in-


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fated to provide fotation, they may not provide asmuch protection rom cold water as some traditionaloam lie vests, they require regular maintenance

and rearming ater use to ensure that they will foatyou, and some infatable lie vests are required tobe worn in order to be counted as one o your U.S.Coast Guard approved wearable fotation devices.Infatables are not intended or use on personalwatercrat, by children, or while water skiing or

similar sports. Beore purchasing, make sure thatU.S. Coast Guard Approved is visible somewhereon the package or on the device itsel.

Lie Jacket Requirements

The ollowing personal fotation device (PFD)requirements* apply to all inland and border waterso the state. State law also requires children under10-years-old to wear a lie jacket on board all boats,with some exceptions. See pages 16-17.

The requirements or PFDs are as ollows:

On all boats, regardless o length (includ-ing canoes, kayaks and duck boats), there mustbe a readily accessible U.S. Coast Guard ap-proved Type I, II, III or V wearable PFD (lie

jacket) or each person on board. Type IV throw-able devices, such as buoyant cushions, are nolonger acceptable primary liesaving devices.

IN ADDITION, on boats 16 eet or longer (ex-cept canoes and kayaks) there must also be atleast one U.S. Coast Guard approved Type IV throw-able device, such as a buoyant cushion or ringbuoy immediately available or each boat.

The law does not state that PFDs must be worn,only that they are readily accessible except orpersonal watercraft (Wave Runners, Jet Skis,

etc.) and children under 10. (see page 16)HOWEVER... we highly recommend that PFDs


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15

MN 4316AD

Less than 16 feet

or any size canoeor kayak One life jacket

per person

16 feet or longerexcept canoesand kayaks

MN 2000 GT

always be worn by everyone on board any boat.Check the label on the PFD to make sure it is a

U.S. Coast Guard approved fotation device and

what type o device it is.

PLEASE NOTE:

The PFD must be o the appropriate size orthe intended wearer.

Readily accessible - means easily retrievablewithin a reasonable amount o time in anemergency. PFDs in plastic bags, locked

lockers, or under anchors or line are exam-ples o PFDs that are not accessible. Immediately available - means Type IV

throwable devices must be easily reached intime o an emergency by someone on boardthe boat. Generally this means they will be

in the open and not in a container. A U.S. Coast Guard approval label must be

* The ollowing are exempt rom state PFD carriage laws:1) All sailboards, and 2) rowing team members specifed inlaw and accompanied by a chase boat carrying the requiredPFDs.


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printed on or attached to the device, and youmust ollow all restrictions on it.

All lie preservers must be in serviceable

condition. That means that the PFD must beree o tears, rot, punctures and waterlogging(especially on kapok devices) and that all thestraps, zippers and buckles are present andin good shape.

A U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD must be

worn by a person being towed on water skisor other device, or carried in the towingwatercrat.

A U.S. Coast Guard approved Type V devicemay be substituted or any other approveddevice i it meets the same requirements andis noted on the Type V device (i.e. Equiva-lent to an approved Type III device.).

Anyone operating or riding on a personalwatercrat must WEAR a U.S. Coast Guardapproved Type I, II, III, or V PFD.

Mandatory Child Lie Jacket Wear Law:Minnesota law requires a U.S. Coast Guardapproved lie jacket to be worn by childrenless than 10 years old when aboard anywatercrat while underway. Underway meansnot attached to a permanent mooring or tied

to a dock. There are exceptions to the wearlaw or:(1) children who are below the top deck or

in an enclosed cabin,(2) children aboard passenger vessels being

operated by a licensed captain,

(3) children on a boat that is anchored or thepurpose o swimming or diving.

Some inants are too small or any lie jacket,even though the label may say 0-30 lbs. Ingeneral, babies under 6 months or 16pounds are too small or a lie jacket to beeective due to the size o their head in rela-


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A white portablelight shown in timeto avoid collision

tionship to their body mass. I your inant isnewborn, please consider waiting until thebaby is a little older beore taking them

boating. NOTE: Fastening a boat cushion to acar seat is not considered a lawul fota-tion device or an inant and could trap thebaby underwater i your boat capsized andthe seat entered the water upside down.

NAVIGATION LIGHTS

Navigation lights must be on rom sunset tosunrise (see sunrise/sunset schedule at end o book-let).

Non-motorized Boats (see illustration be-low). All non-motorized watercrat, whetherunderway or at anchor, must at least carry awhite lantern or fashlight. This light shouldbe strong enough so that other boats aroundthe horizon can see it at least two miles

away. The light must be displayed in su-cient time to avoid a collision with anotherwatercrat.(Note: Canoes, sailboats etc. thatare operating under power must ollow thelighting rules or motorboats.)*

Motorboats. Most motorboats 16 eet ormore in length will likely be equipped with

the correct navigation lights by the manuac-turer. In any case, the lights must be dis-


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Combination225 Red-Green360 White

played according to state rules described inthis section.*

Visibility Rules. White lights must be visible

or two miles on a dark, clear night (with oneexception under the International Rules).Combination or side lights must be visibleor one mile.

Combination or side lights must shine redto port (let side) and green to starboard (right

side). They must be attached so the lightshows rom directly ahead to 22.5 to therear o the beam (midpoint o the boat) onthe respective side. Lights may be detachableand need only be displayed rom sunset tosunrise.

Lighting Tips. I you can see the red light ona motorboat give it the right-o-way seepage 26. Also, check your light sockets andwiring oten they can corrode over time.

* Boats on waters subject to U.S. jurisdiction may also

display navigation lights under current ederal inlandregulations.

Option A When underway, motorboats less than 40 eetlong display (see diagram below):

(1) A 225 combination red and green bow(ront) light.

(2) A 360 white stern (rear) light. When atanchor, only the 360 white light isnecessary.

18


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Option BMotorboats 65 eet or less, when underway,

display (see diagram below):

(1) Either separate 112.5 red and green sidelights or a combination 225 red and greenbow light.

(2) A 225 white light on the orward hal othe boat, placed at least three eet above

the red-green lights, showing 112.5 toeach side and visible or three miles. Onboats 40 to 65 eet long, this light must beat least nine eet above the gunwale.

(3) A 135 white light on the stern hal othe crat showing 67.5 to each side.

This light may be carried o the centerline. When at anchor, only one 360 w

hitelight is necessary.

Combination225 Red-Green

225 White

225 White

135 White

135 White

112.5 Red

OR

112.5 Green

19


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20

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

All re extinguishers must be U.S.Coast Guard

approved, ully charged, and readily accessible.

When looking or an extinguisher at a storeor marine dealer, it is important to look orthe words U.S. Coast Guard Approvedright on the carton.

Although two sizes o extinguishers are ap-proved or recreational crat (B-I or B-II),most extinguishers on the market will be B-I.The words Marine Type USCG Type BC-SizeI will be in small letters right on the extin-guishers label along with the approval num-ber. The letter B means the extinguisherwill put out fammable liquid res. The letterC means it can also be used or electricalres.

Fire extinguishers are a good idea on any

boat where uel is used or carried. They arerequired as ollows:

* When a motorboat is equipped with a U.S. Coast Guard

approved xed re extinguishing system in the enginecompartment, one less B-I extinguisher is required.

** Enclosed engines and uel tanks are generally ound oninboards or stern drives and also on larger outboard boatswith built-in uel tanks. Most motorboats are required tocarry at least one re extinguisher. However, open out-board boats with unenclosed portable uel tanks and no

foorboards, decking, a cabin or other spaces that couldtrap uel vapor are not required to carry an extinguisher.

< 26 with enclosedengine, uel tanksor other spaces**

26 < 40

Boat Size

40 - 65

Fire Extinguisher(s) Required*

1 size B-I

3 size B-I or 1 size B-II &1 size B-I

2 size B-I or 1 size B-II

> 65 3 size B-II


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VENTILATION

Motorboats carrying or using any uel that has a

fashpoint o 110F or less (like gasoline) in anycompartment must be equipped with an ecientventilating system to remove combustible gases.This system must consist o at least one intake ductthat extends rom the deck below the level o thecarburetor air intake (or halway to the bilge) and

an exhaust duct that extends rom the deck to thelowest portion o the bilge. The cowls o these ductsmust be properly trimmed or maximum ventilation.A power-operated bilge blower is highly recom-mended and it should be run at least our minutesbeore starting the engine.

FLAME ARRESTORS

Gasoline engines, other than outboard motors,must be equipped with a U.S. Coast Guard approvedbackre fame arrestor on the carburetor.

WHISTLES/HORNS

Motorboats 16 eet to less than 26 eet longmust be equipped with a hand, mouth, orpower-operated whistle or horn capable o

producing a continuous sound or two sec-onds and audible or at least one-hal mile. Motorboats 26 eet to less than 40 eet in

length must be equipped with a hand orpower-operated horn or whistle capable oproducing a continuous sound or two sec-

onds and audible or at least one mile. Motorboats 40 eet or more in length must

be equipped with a power-operated horn orwhistle capable o producing a continuoussound or at least two seconds and audibleor at least one mile.

The only boat that can carry a siren is a gov-ernment patrol crat.


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MUFFLERS/NOISE LIMITS

All watercrat motors must have a mufer, un-

derwater exhaust, or other device that adequatelysuppresses the sound o the motor.

It is unlawul to modiy, equip, sell or operate amotorboat (except under a permit rom the countysheri or U.S. Coast Guard) that exceeds the levelsnoted in the table below. It is also illegal to have analtered mufer, mufer cutout, mufer bypass, orany other device designed or installed so that it canbe used to continually or intermittently bypass anymufer or mufer system, or to reduce or eliminatethe eectiveness o a mufer or mufer system.

MARINE TOILETS

Under state law, toilets on board watercrat mustbe no-discharge devices. Waste must be retained onboard or proper disposal ater returning to shore.

For a copy o a act sheet on marine toilets, drainwater disposal and areas where USCG certiedtreatment devices may be used under ederal rules,contact the DNR Boat and Water Saety Section at

the address or phone number in the Agency Direc-tory at the end o this booklet.

Motorboat Noise Law Summary Chart

*Ocers and deputies may use either (or both) the passby or stationary test procedure.

Taken at least 4above the waterand at least 4

behind the tran-som o the boat.

Boat or EngineManuacture

Date

Pass By Test*StationaryIdle Test*

Beore January1, 1982

January 1, 1982and ater

84 dBA 86 dBA

82 dBA 84 dBA

Usually taken at50. An equivalentreading may also

be taken at otherdistances.


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Minnesota waters are threatened by manyinvasive species. It is illegal to transport any aquaticplants, zebra mussel, New Zealand mudsnail or otherprohibited invasive species on public roads, or tolaunch a boat or trailer with these species attached.

How you can help stop their spread:4Remove visible aquatic plants and animals romyour boat, trailer, and other boating equipmentbeore leaving the water access (see diagram).

4Drainwater rom motor, boat bilges, live wells,and other boating equipment holding water. Drainplugs must be removed rom bilges and live wellsand all water draining devices must remain openwhile transporting on a public road.

4Spray, rinse, or dry boats and recreational

equipment to remove or kill species that were notvisible when leaving a water body. Beore transport-ing to another water body: spray/rinse with high pressure and/or hot

tap water (above 120F or 49C) especiallyi moored or more than a day; or

dry or at least 5 days.

4 Dispose o unwanted bait in the trash.

For more inormation, contact the DNR InvasiveSpecies Program, Ecological Resources, at

(651) 259-5100 or (888) 646-6367 or visitwww.mndnr.gov/invasives

MN 4316 AD

Anchor LiveWell

AxleRollers

Transom

Well

Lower Unit/

Propeller

New


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GENERAL OPERATION

ENFORCEMENT

Enorcement o Minnesotas boat and water saetylaws rests with the DNRs conservation ocers andthe county sheris. All state and county enorcementcrat will be marked on both sides or with a blue

state pennant. Some waters o the state are also un-der ederal jurisdiction. The U.S. Coast Guard andthe National Park Service enorce ederal boatingregulations.

Whenever an enorcement ocer contacts you,you are required to stop and allow him or her to

come alongside. The ocer may warn you about astorm or caution you about the way youre operatingyour boat. Always remember that a key job o theseocers is to ensure your saety afoat.

I you need an enorcement ocer, contact him orher by phone, in person, or by mail at the locations

given at the end o this pamphlet. Boaters on somewaters may be able to request assistance by usinga marine radio. Examples o these areas are Lake othe Woods, Lake Superior, the Lower St. Croix River,the Mississippi River downstream rom Minneapolis,the Minnesota River downstream rom Shakopee,and Lake Minnetonka.

Violation o a boat and water saety statute or ruleis a misdemeanor, with some exceptions or repeatviolations or more serious oenses.

AGE OF OPERATORSThe restrictions on boat operators appear on the

next page. Operators permit education materialscan be obtained rom the DNR (addresses andphone numbers at end o this booklet), and sheris

oces.


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I you are age 12 - 17, visiting Minnesota, and

already possess a valid watercrat operators certi-cate/permit issued by your home state, you dontneed to obtain another one rom Minnesota. Iyou do not have a certicate rom your state youmay obtain one rom Minnesota by successullycompleting the DNRs home study boating course.It is available ree by calling or e-mailing the DNRInormation Center - contact inormation can beound at the end o this booklet.

The Minnesota Internet boating saety courseat www.mndnr.gov/boatingcourse is an option or

young boaters wishing to earn their WatercratOperators Permit. Its also a great idea or more

25 hp or less - norestriction.

more than 25 thru 75 hp -must have someone at

least 21 on board withinreach o the controls.

over 75 hp - cannotoperate, even with adulton board.

1less than 12years o age

12-17 yearso age 25 hp or less - norestriction.

over 25 hp - must eitherhave:

a watercrat operators

permit, orsomeone at least 21on board within reacho the controls.

1

Motorboat Operator Age Restrictions(except personal watercrat - see page 38)

Operator Age Restrictions

2

3

2


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mature skippers who want to broaden their boatingknowledge and perhaps receive a discount on theirboat insurance! (Many boat insurance companies

oer discounts to boat owners who have taken anapproved boating saety course like ours!)

The great thing about our Internet course is thatas soon as you pass the nal exam, you can printout a temporary Watercrat Operators Permit (12-17years) or Adult Certicate o Completion (18 yearsand over) right away.

RULES OF THE ROAD

Passing

When overtaking another watercrat going in thesame direction, the crat being overtaken mustmaintain course and speed. The passing watercratmust keep a sucient distance to avoid collision orendangering the other crat rom its wake.

MeetingWhen two watercrat approach each other head-on, each must alter course to the right to avoidcollision. I the two watercrat are ar enough to thelet o each other, no change in direction is neededor sae passage. Both watercrat will maintain their

course and speed so as to pass clear o each other,and keep to the right in narrow channels.

CrossingI two watercrat approach each other at a right

angle, the watercrat to the right shall have the right-o-way.

Non-Motorized CratNon-motorized crat (sailboats, canoes, etc.)

have the right-o-way over motorized crat in all

situations, except when the non-motorized crat isovertaking or passing.


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Commercial VesselsSmall boats should not insist on the right-o-way

when approaching large commercial vessels, which

are limited in maneuverability.

Emergency CratAll watercrat will yield right-o-way to an author-

ized watercrat displaying a red or blue fashinglight.

Move Over LawWhen approaching and passing a law enorce-

ment watercrat with its emergency lights activated,the operator o a watercrat must saely move thewatercrat away rom the law enorcement watercratand maintain a slow-no wake speed while within150 eet o the law enorcement watercrat.

WATERWAY MARKERS

Ocial waterway markers may be in the ormo a buoy, sign or light, either in the water or onshore. They assist the boater by marking channels,denoting unsae areas, directing trac, controllingspeed, protecting resources and other unctions. O-cial markers are usually placed by the U.S. Coast

Guard, state, county or local governmental unit.Private markers o any type may not be placedin the water overnight without a permit rom thecounty sheri.

The illustrations on pages 29-31 show the mostcommon buoys used in Minnesota. Although just

buoys are shown here, signs can be substituted incertain areas. As an example, a green square signis the same as a green buoy and red triangular signis the same as a red buoy - these are oten calleddaymarks. They can be used to mark each side o achannel, which is common on the Mississippi Riverbelow the Twin Cities. A red-white octagonal sign


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can be used to mark the center o a channel. Regula-tory and inormational signs are generally a whiterectangle with orange markings and black lettering.

I a buoy or sign is lighted, it will usually displaythe color and fash characteristics noted underneatheach buoy on pages 29-31. Flashing means notmore than 30 fashes per minute. Quick-fashingmeans at least 60 fashes per minute and generallyindicates caution or danger. Here are some tips on

waterway markers to make boating more enjoy-able:

Dont rely entirely on waterway markers,especially buoys. They can move o stationdue to wind, waves, current, ice or otherreasons.

Buoys and other waterway markers may notbe present outside o the normal boatingseason. Check locally beore heading out.

Unless you are very amiliar with that bodyo water, avoid travel on lakes and riversduring the hours o darkness.

Use care on observing white fashing lightssince their meaning depends on that o thewaterway marker.

Red and green channel markers may benumbered: green - odd and red - even.

Size specications or buoys. For all buoys

except mooring buoys, the minimum heightabove water is 36 inches and the minimumdiameter is 9 inches. For mooring buoys themaximum size is 24 inches in diameter, ispherical, or a maximum o 24 inches wide

i some other shape. Mooring buoys mustextend at least 8 inches above the water.


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BOATING

CHANNEL LIESBETWEENTHESE BUOYS

RED

ashing red

GREENashing green

Channel Marker Buoys All-green and all-red companion buoys in-dicate that the boating channel is between them.

In fowing water, the red buoy is on the right sideo the channel when acing upstream.

As o 2003, there are two striped buoys thatmark sae navigational areas or boaters. The changewas necessary in order to comply with the U.S. Aids

to Navigation System: 1) the red-white striped buoy(usually with a red topmark) now indicates the centero a channel and should be passed closely on eitherside; 2) the black and white striped buoy (ormerlyred-white striped) indicates there is a shorewardobstruction and that you should not pass betweenit and the nearest shore.

DO NOT

PASSBETWEENSHORE AND

BUOY

CENTER OFCHANNEL

RED AND WHITE STRIPESashing white

BLACK AND WHITE STRIPESquick-ashing white


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Regulatory Buoys and Signs Boats Keep Out. A white buoy or sign with anorange diamond and cross means that boats must

keep out o the area. Black lettering on the buoy orsign gives the reason or the restriction, or example,SWIM AREA.

Danger. A white buoy or sign with an orangediamond warns boaters o danger - rocks, dams,rapids, etc. The source o danger will also be let-tered in black. In winter, ice hazards may also beidentied with this marker in the orm o a sign.

BOATS KEEP OUT

ashing white

DANGER

quick-ashing white

Controlled Area. A white buoy or sign with anorange circle and black lettering indicates controlledor restricted areas on the water. The most commonrestriction is slow - no wake speed. Slow - no wakemeans operating your boat at the slowest possible

speed necessary to maintain steerage, but in no casegreater than fve miles-per-hour.

MILFOIL

CONTROLLED AREAashing white

INFORMATIONashing white

MILFOILnone


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MOORING BUOYashing white

Inormation. A white buoy or sign with anorange rectangle provides the boater with inor-mation or directions. Inormation will be lettered

in black.

Miloil. A yellow buoy or sign indicating thatan area is inested with Eurasian watermiloil. Thewords Miloil or Miloil Area will appear in black

letters.

Mooring Buoys. Buoys designed or moor-ing boats are all-white with a blue stripe midwaybetween the top and the waterline. A minimum o16 square inches o white refectorization, part owhich must be visible rom any direction, is required

on all mooring buoys. (Obtain a permit rom thecounty sheri beore placing a mooring buoy inthe water.)

GENERAL PROHIBITIONS

Its against the law:

To operate a watercrat in a careless or reck-less manner.

To operate a watercrat so that its wash orwake endangers, harasses, or intereres with

any person or property. To operate a watercrat so it obstructs or

tends to obstruct ordinary navigation. To operate a watercrat within an area le-

gally marked o or set aside as a swimmingarea, or within 150 eet o a divers warningfag (see page 43).


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To ride or sit on the gunwales, bow, transom,or decking over the bow, sides or stern o anymotorboat while underway, unless it is

equipped with an adequate railing, or tooperate a motorboat while any person is soriding or sitting.

To operate a watercrat so that it obstructs orintereres with the take o, landing, or taxiingo a seaplane.

To moor or attach a watercrat to any buoy,except a mooring buoy, or to any other mark-ing device or guide, or to tamper, molest,remove, or destroy a navigational aid.

To deposit or leave reuse in or upon thewaters o the state or at public access areas.

CAPACITY AND OVERLOADING

The boats operator must limit the total horse-power, weight AND maximum number o passengers

to that shown on the capacity plate installed by theboats manuacturer. It is unlawul and dangerousto load or power your boat beyond its maximumcapacity.

BOATING WHILE INTOXICATED (BWI) -

The alcohol concentration or impaired operationis .08.

Operating a motorboat while under the infuenceo alcohol, a controlled substance (or its metabolite),or other illegal chemical is unlawul. Operators

who are impaired may be required to take tests byan enorcement ocer. There is a penalty or reusal.BWI convictions and reusals are recorded on theviolators drivers license record.

Most o the BWI law is now ound in the motor

vehicle statutes, and frst time violators (no priorDWIs o any kind) who are convicted are subject


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to:(1) up to a $1,000 ne plus surcharges,(2) possible jail time,

(3) loss o motorboat operating privileges or 90days during the boating season, ater con-viction and written notication by the DNR.

In addition to the above penalties, persons whoreuse testing will also be subject to a separate andmore severe criminal charge or reusal and loss otheir motorboat operating privileges or one year,immediately upon reusal.

I any o the ollowing aggravating actors are

involved, the oense automatically becomes a grossmisdemeanor (a 4th conviction in 10 years can resultin a elony penalty):

an alcohol concentration o .20 or more, prior DWI conviction(s) or reusal(s) o any

kind in the past 10 years, there is a child less than 16 years o age onboard.

Penalties will increase with any o the aggravatingactors or a reusal, and can include the ollowing:

a higher ne, mandatory jail time, loss o motor vehicle drivers license, loss o motor vehicle plates and oreiture o the motorboat and trailer being

operated at the time o arrest.

The BWI law does not prohibit drinking alcoholicbeverages aboard boats nor having an open bottle.The law applies to operators o motorboats that arenot anchored, beached, moored, docked or being

rowed or propelled by non-mechanical means atthe time o the oense.


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WATER SKIING, TUBING & WAKEBOARDING

Laws and Rules

(1) It is unlawul to tow a person on water skis,wakeboard, tube, or similar device unlessthere is a mirror providing the operator awide eld o vision to the rear, or unlessanother person in the towing watercrat iscontinuously observing the person beingtowed.

(2) Water skiing, tubing and similar acts areprohibited between one hour ater sunset to

sunrise o the ollowing day.(3) Tow ropes may not be longer than 150 eetin length, unless a permit is obtained romthe county sheri.

(4) A wearable U.S. Coast Guard approvedpersonal fotation device (PFD) must either

be worn by the person being towed, orcarried in the towing watercrat.

Note: For regulations on towing people with apersonal watercrat (Jet Ski, PWC, etc.) - see page36. Also, there may be local restrictions on towing

(especially in the Twin Cities Area) see page 48.

Tubing Tips

Tubing has become extremely popular over thelast ew years and it can be a sae and enjoyablewater sport. Unortunately, there has also been anincrease in the number o accidents involving boatspulling tubes and other infatable water toys. Theaccidents involve injuries caused by:

(1) The tube hitting a wake and fipping, there-


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by throwing the rider(s) into the wateror against each other.

(2) Tubes swinging out as a boat turns - hitting

an object or throwing the occupant o.(3) Injuries caused by the tow line and when

two tubes being towed by the same boatcollide with each other.

Tubes are aected mostly by the maneuvers o

the boat doing the towing, similar to a clocks pen-dulum. Riders do not have the directional controlthat water skiers have, so the boat operator needsto take special precautions.

Speed needs to be kept low (most tube manuac-turers recommend a maximum o 15-20 mph) toreduce the likelihood and consequences o an acci-dent. Turns should be made gradually and away romshore, other boats, swim rats or docks to reduce thechance o collision. Tow only a single tube at a time.It is highly recommended that anyone on a tube wear

a PFD. It is also a good idea to have an observer inthe towing crat, in addition to a wide-angle mirror.Many manuacturers also recommend that no oneunder 6-years-old be towed on a tube, and that youollow the manuacturers recommended passengerweight limits.

PERSONAL WATERCRAFT

What is a personal water-crat? Sometimes known as

Jet Skis, Wave Runners, SeaDoos etc., a personal watercrat is dened by lawas a motorboat that is: 1) powered by an inboardmotor powering a water jet pump or by an outboardor propeller-driven motor; and 2) designed to be

operated by a person or persons sitting, standing,or kneeling on the crat, rather than in the conven-

MN 1234 AB


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tional manner o sitting or standing inside a mo-torboat.

All personal watercrat are considered motorboats

and thereore, any regulations that govern othermotorboats (such as shing boats, cabin cruisers,etc.), also govern personal watercrat.

Personal Watercrat LawsIn summary, the law requires that:

Anyone operating or riding on a personalwatercrat must wear a U.S. Coast Guard ap-proved Type I, II, III or V personal fotationdevice (PFD or lie jacket).

Personal watercrat must travel at slow - nowake speed (5mph or less) within 150 eet onon-motorized boats, shore (unless launch-ing or landing skiers directly to or rom openwater), docks, swim rats, swimmers, or anymoored or anchored boat.

Operation o personal watercrat is allowedonly rom 9:30 a.m. to 1 hour beore sunset. I you tow a person on water skis, or any

other device, there must be an additionalperson on board the personal watercratto act as an observer. (The observer does not

have to be acing backward.) The skier/knee-boarder etc. must also be wearing a PFDor there must be one on board the personalwatercrat or the skier.

Factory-installed or actory-speciedwide-eld rearview mirrors are allowed in-

stead o an observer when pulling a skier orother device (tube, kneeboard, etc.). Themirrors must be specied by the personalwatercrat manuacturer. Ater-market mir-rors, stick-on mirrors, motorcycle mirrors,etc., do not qualiy or the observer exemp-tion.


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I the machine is equipped by the manuac-turer with a lanyard-type engine cutoswitch, it must be attached to the person,

lie jacket or clothing o the operator whenunderway.

You may not operate a personal watercrat iany part o the spring-loaded throttle systemhas been removed or tampered with so itintereres with the return-to-idle system.

You may not chase or harass wildlie. You may not travel through emergent or

foating vegetation at greater than slow - nowake speed.

You may not operate a personal watercrat

in a manner that unreasonably or unneces-sarily endangers lie, limb or property. You may not weave through congested

watercrat trac, or jump the wake oanother watercrat within 150 eet o theother watercrat. This includes other

personal watercrat. A personal watercrat rules decal issued bythe DNR needs to be on the crat in ullview o the operator.

You may not operate a personal watercratwhile acing backward.

It is unlawul or the owner o the personal wa-tercrat to permit its operation in violation o theage restrictions. See personal watercrat operatorage chart on next page.

Selling and Renting Personal Watercrat

Personal watercrat dealers are required todistribute a summary o the laws and rulesgoverning personal watercrat. Upon request

by a purchaser, they must provide instruc-tion regarding laws governing personal wa-


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tercrat, as well as sae operation o the crat. Rental operators must provide required

saety equipment and a copy o the personal

watercrat laws ree o charge, as well asinstruction on laws and operation o thecrat.

Both personal watercrat dealers and rentaloperations must keep a signature record oall persons who buy or rent personal water-crat. This record is to indicate that the buyeror renter has been provided with a copy othe personal watercrat laws and has readthem. In addition, those persons less than18 years o age must show their watercrat

operators permit beore renting a personalwatercrat, and the permit number must

Personal Watercrat Operator Age Restrictionsregardless o horsepower

(other motorboats - see page 25)

Operator Age Restrictions

Cannot operate, evenwith adult on board.

Must either have:

less than 13years o age

14-17 yearso age

13 years o agesomeone at least 21 onboard, or

a watercrat operatorspermit and be in visualsupervision by someone

at least 21.

a watercrat operator spermit, or

someone at least 21 onboard.

Must either have:


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be recorded on the orm by the rental agent.These orms are available rom the DNR Boatand Water Saety Section, must be retained

or at least six months, and must be availableor inspection by DNR conservation ocersor county sheris deputies during normalbusiness hours.

Some o the General Watercrat Laws That Apply

to Personal Watercrat

All personal watercrat must display validregistration decals and registration (MN)numbers on the orward hal o both sideso the crat (see pages 3-7).

Your watercrat license card must be kept onboard your crat when its in use.

All personal watercrat with enclosed engineor uel compartments (almost all personalwatercrat all into one or the other category)

must carry a ully charged, readily accessi-ble, U.S. Coast Guard approved re extin-guisher.

Personal watercrat may not exceed themaximum watercrat noise levels. Also, youmay not modiy any motorboat (including

personal watercrat) in a way that ampliesor increases the noise it emits above water-crat noise limits. No person shall operate orsell a motorboat so modied.

No person shall sell or oer or sale replace-ment or additional parts or a motorboat

which when installed in the motorboat willampliy or increase the noise emitted abovethe noise limit. No person shall operate amotorboat incorporating such parts.

It is unlawul to operate a personal watercrat

while intoxicated.


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Personal watercrat concernsUnortunately, along with the growth in the num-

ber o personal watercrat has come accidents and

complaints rom lakeshore residents, other boatersand water recreation enthusiasts.

Ride with prideMany personal watercrat accidents involve new

and inexperienced riders who havent received

adequate training. I you or your amily own apersonal watercrat or are going to purchase one,be sure to ask the dealer to provide you with anysaety inormation they may have or your crat.All machines are supplied with an owners manualand many come equipped with a saety video. Besure everyone who operates the machine (includingriends and guests) watches the video and reads thesaety inormation and knows all the special lawsthat regulate personal watercrat beore they areallowed to operate.

Give it the gasMany accidents have occurred because the

operators orgot (or never learned) that a personalwatercrat will not turn unless you apply the throttle.There is no rudder, so the only way it will turn is i

there is water spraying out the steering nozzle. Thisseems simple, but its amazing how easy it can beto orget when you are hurtling towards some xedobject. A normal reaction might be to cut the powerand then turn the handlebars. This can be a mistake!Remember, to make a turn, keep the throttle pressed

as you move the handlebars.

Use sound judgmentPersonal watercrat noise complaints are one o

the most common types o calls received by water

saety ocials. Although the sound emitted by per-sonal watercrat is generally less than the legal noise


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limit or motorboats, the way that some people oper-ate their machines causes a great deal o concernamong other people on the lake.

Some personal watercrat riders tend to run theirmachines or long periods o time in a relativelysmall area. Many o their neighbors nd that havingto listen to one or more personal watercrat buzzingaround or several hours in ront o their propertyis very disturbing. In act, the problem became so

severe on one Minnesota lake, local authoritiesbanned personal watercrat operation or more than30 minutes in one area. Jumping personal watercratout o the water causes an increase in noise levelswhich can also be irritating to people.

Be a good neighborIts not a bad idea to talk to your neighbors beore

you bring your new machine home. Tell them to eelree to let you know i the noise rom your machineis disturbing them and that youll try to not operate

in the same area or a long period o time. I youregoing to jump waves, you had best do it ar enoughout in the lake so the noise wont bother people try-ing to enjoy a day o quiet relaxation. You might alsooer to take them or a ride too! Its amazing howunderstanding people become ater they experience

the un o riding a personal watercrat.

Protect your riding privilegesPersonal watercrat can be sae and enjoyable

as long as enthusiasts learn how to operate theirmachine careully, become amiliar with Minne-

sotas personal watercrat laws, and respect theirneighbors peace and quiet by moving around thelake rather than operating in just one small area.Personal watercrat riders will continue to be able toenjoy their sport without urther regulation as long

as they obey the laws and ride responsibly.


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RENTING WATERCRAFT

All watercrat oered or rent are subject to

periodic inspection by the county sheri. Aninspection decal will be issued to each cratthat passes this inspection.

The rental agent is required to provide U.S.Coast Guard approved personal fotation de-vices (PFDs) in serviceable condition, as wellas all other required saety equipment.

Watercrat may not be rented, or oered orrent, unless they are in sae condition.

All rental crat must meet the ederal manu-acturers fotation requirements as o the

date they were constructed.A boat may not be rented to a person whois under the infuence o alcohol or a con-trolled substance.

A rental boat loaded beyond its weight ca-pacity or powered beyond its horsepower

capacity may not leave the place where it isrented.

See page 37 or regulations governing personalwatercrat dealers and rental operators.

ACCIDENTS - minimum property damage level is$2,000

An accident can happen whenever you are onthe water despite all the precautions you may have

taken. I an accident does occur, ollow these simplesteps:

(1) Stop at the scene and assist others who arein trouble i you can do so saely (requiredby law).

(2) Dont risk your lie or the lives o others tosave equipment.


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(3) Summon help by dialing 911 anywhere inMinnesota.

(4) I a second boat or other property is

involved, exchange your name and boatnumber with the other operator or owner(as required by law).

(5) Promptly report all boating accidents tothe county sheri when there is: 1) prop-erty damage o $2,000 or more, 2) per-

sonal injury or 3) a atality. This is requiredby law.

OTHER WATER ACTIVITIES

SCUBA DIVING

Scuba divers mustdisplay a warningfag when diving.

The divers fag must measure at least 15inches horizontally and 12 inches vertically.Both sides must have a red-colored back-ground bisected diagonally by a three-inch

wide white stripe. There is also a blue andwhite divers fag authorized under theederal rules o the road.

No more than our divers shall dive underone fag.

Divers must remain within 50 eet (measuredhorizontally) o the warning fag. I a group o divers is using a contained area,

the perimeter o the area must be marked.The area must be outside the normal areao navigation. These markings must consist o

the ocial divers fag and must be placedaround the perimeter o the diving area at

DIVER'S FLAG

REDAND

WHITE


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intervals o not more than 150 eet. Do not place a divers fag where it will ob-

struct navigation.

The divers fag may be displayed on a water-crat or foat or be anchored to the bottom.The top o the fag must be at least 30 inchesabove the surace, however.

Boats not involved with the diving operationmust remain 150 eet away rom a fag.

Persons who dive at any time rom sunset tosunrise must carry a divers light visible whenabove the water or a distance o 150 eet.

Scuba or skin diving while in possession o aspear is unlawul rom sunset to sunrise.

SWIMMING

Private AreasThe owner or lessee o shoreline property may

mark o up to 2,500 square eet, but not more than

50 eet along the lake rontage, or a swimming areadirectly in ront o his or her property. Markers todesignate a private swimming area must be whitewith an orange diamond and cross on each side (seeillustration on top let, page 30). The markers mustextend out o the water at least six inches but no

more than 14 and should be spaced no more than 15eet apart. (Note: A white gallon plastic bottle withthe orange markings painted on each side ulllsthis requirement.)

Public Areas

Public swimming areas (including resorts) mustbe marked o with the standard 9" or larger buoy:Boats Keep Out. This buoy is white with an orangeband at the bottom and top. Between the orangebands is an orange diamond with a cross inside. The

design appears on opposite sides o the buoy. Aboveor below the diamond shapes are the words SWIM


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AREA in black, two-inch lettering (see illustration ontop let, page 30). Marker buoys must not be spacedmore than 75 eet apart. Smaller all-white markers

may be used to add denition to the area markedby regulation markers. No specic size limits areimposed on public swimming areas.

PermitsObtain a permit or swimming area markers rom

the county sheri. No swimming marker may ob-struct navigation or unduly interere with public useo the water. Sheris or conservation ocers maydirect the owner to move such markers or removethem rom the water.

TEMPORARY STRUCTURES, DOCKS ANDBUOYS

Docks that extend rom shore may not interere withnavigation and generally require no permit, unless

they exceed certain width or number o moor-ing space limits. The permit rules or structures inpublic waters are under revision as o this printing.For current inormation, see the DNR publicationDocks and Access in Public Waters by checking

the DNR website: www.mndnr.gov/publications/waters or contacting the DNR Inormation Center at(651) 296-6157 or toll ree (888) 646-6367. (Note:There may be local ordinances on docks.)

Structures such as swimming rats, boat lits,buoys, slalom courses, ski jumps, etc., which do not

extend rom shore, cannot be placed in the waterbetween sunset and sunrise without rst obtain-ing a permit rom the county sheri. All structuresplaced under a permit must have the permit numberpainted on them. In addition, the structure or buoymust either have a light visible in all directions orbe refectorized so as to refect light rom all direc-tions.


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Persons placing structures on joint ederal-statewaters may need to obtain a permit rom the U.S.Army Corps o Engineers. (See Special Events be-

low, or examples o these waters.)

SPECIAL EVENTS

Persons holding regattas, races, tournaments, orother competition or exhibition events on the water

must rst obtain a permit or the event rom thecounty sheri.

Those persons holding events on commercially-navigable, joint-jurisdictional waters (primarily LakeSuperior, the Mississippi River downstream rom St.Anthony Falls, the Minnesota River east o Shakopee,and the St. Croix River rom Stillwater downstream)must obtain a marine event permit rom the U.S.Coast Guard.

PUBLIC WATERS - PERMITS

Any work in the bed o public waters (below theordinary high water level), such as dredging, lling,draining, and placement o structures, OR waterappropriations o more than ten thousand gallonsper day or one million gallons per year requires a

permit rom the DNR Waters Division.

AQUATIC PLANT MANAGEMENT - PERMITS

Any control o aquatic vegetation, either nativespecies or non-native invasive species, in public

waters (lakes, rivers, or wetlands) or the control oother aquatic nuisances (e.g., swimmer's itch) allsunder the regulatory authority o the MinnesotaDepartment o Natural Resources. Those activitieswhich require a permit, as well as activities that canbe done without a permit, are summarized on thenext page.


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Aquatic plant management permit is required to:

remove submerged vegetation in: a) an areao more than 2,500 square eet OR b) an areaexceeding 50 eet along the shoreline or one-hal the owners total rontage, whichever isless,

apply herbicides, algicides or other pesticidesin public waters,

remove water lilies or other foating-leavegetation in an area exceeding a 15-ootwide channel,

remove cattails, bulrush, wild rice, or otheremergent plants by any means.

move a bog o any size that is ree-foating or

lodged in any area other than its originallocation, transplant aquatic plants into public waters, install or operate an automated plant control

device in public waters.

However, there are some things a lakeshore prop-erty owner can do without a permit to maintain aboat docking site or swimming area.

A lakeshore property owner may physically ormechanically clear the ollowing without a permit:

Submerged Vegetation: An area or swim-

ming or boat docking not exceeding 2,500square eet and not extending more than 50eet or one-hal the length o the ownersshoreline rontage (whichever is less) may becleared o submerged aquatic vegetationonly by cutting or pulling the plants.

Floating-Lea Vegetation: A boat channel 15eet or less in width extending to open watermay be maintained by mechanical means(cutting or pulling) through foating-lea(water lilies) and submerged vegetation. The

channel must take the most direct route toopen water and remain in the same locationeach year.


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Vegetation that is cut or pulled must beimmediately and permanently removed romthe water and disposed o on high ground

where it will not re-enter the lake.

LOCAL BOATINGRESTRICTIONS

Certain bodies o water in Minnesota have localrestrictions as to type and size o watercrat or motorhorsepower, areas which can be used by boats, boatspeed, times or use and minimum distance betweenboats. With ew exceptions, local restrictions on boat

use on Minnesota waters must be approved by theDNR and be posted at public access points.Questions regarding lakes or rivers with local

restrictions can be directed to the appropriatecounty sheri, the DNR oces listed at the end othis publication, or you can view a list on the DNR

web page at: www.mndnr.gov/regulations/boatwater- then click on Local surace use regulations.

BOAT TRAILERS

DimensionsThe maximum length o a boat trailer and boat

is 45 eet. No trailer load may exceed 8 1/2 eet inwidth or 13 1/2 eet in height.

LightsTwo red taillights, license plate light (not required

on trailers with permanent registration) and two redrefectors are required on all trailers. Signal andbrake lamps are recommended on all trailers andrequired at night or whenever the signal o the tow-

ing vehicle is not visible to the other drivers. Largertrailers also require clearance and/or marker lamps.


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Hitch and CouplingThe hitch and coupling o the trailer must meet

state standards. Saety chains or cables are re-

quired.

BrakesBrakes o adequate eectiveness are required on

all trailers o 3,000 pounds or more gross weight.

FollowingDrivers o vehicles towing a trailer must maintain

a distance o 500 eet between their vehicle and thevehicle ahead.

More inormation on trailer laws is available romthe Minnesota Department o Public Saety in St.Paul or rom any Minnesota State Patrol oce.

BOATING SAFETY TIPS

What accident causes the most deaths amongboaters? Falls overboard and capsizing. In a smallboat, resist the urge to stand up. I you must movearound, keep your weight low and close to the centero the crat. Wear your personal fotation device (PFD or lie

jacket), especially in small boats. Approved PFDs arenow stylish, comortable and practical. Models areavailable or all ages and or various boating activi-ties. Wearing your PFD is the best lie insurancepolicy afoat. Collisions with a second boat or another object

dont just happen. They are usually the result oinattention, atigue, and a lack o knowledge aboutlocal water conditions. Keep an eye on the weather, especially on largerlakes such as Mille Lacs, Leech, Lake o the Woods,or Superior. Obtain up-to-date weather inormation

rom a marine band radio, AM radio, or by simplywatching the sky. (Summer storms in Minnesota


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usually come rom the west and particularly romthe southwest.)

I you are caught in rough weather, put on your

PFD, keep low in your boat and head or the closestshore. In heavy waves, your boat handles best whenyou head into the waves at an angle. Whitewater canoeing and kayaking are notsports or the beginner. Learn whitewater techniquesrom experts, wear your PFD at all times, and use

common sense in shooting rapids. Infatable toys are no substitute or swimmingskills. Learn how to swim. Know your swimmingability. Supervise youngsters around the water. I someone is in trouble in the water, use el-ementary rescue methods rst, such as throwingsomething that foats to the victim. Only as a lastresort should you ever enter the water to save some-one. Even then, take a buoyant object like a PFDwith you. Beore you leave on a boating or shing trip, let

someone know where you are going and when youwill return. I you run into trouble, this will assistauthorities in looking or you. Cold water shock and hypothermia (below nor-mal body temperature) are insidious killers that maybe involved in as many as one-hal o Minnesotas

boating deaths. The refexive gasp that occurswhen you hit cold water can be atal i your headis under water when you take that sudden breathand inhale water. I you survive the rst minute oimmersion in water less than 50 degrees, you onlyhave about ten minutes o meaningul movement to

reboard your boat, tread water or zip on a lie vestbeore your muscles stien rom the cold. Then thereis only about one hour beore the cold renders youunconscious. Unless you are wearing a lie jacket,drowning is inevitable beore the hour runs out.

Cold water robs body heat 25 times aster thanair o the same temperature, so i you capsize or all


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Booze is bad news! Alcohol and drugs areinvolved in about one third o all boating atali-ties. In act, a Coast Guard study rom a ew yearsback showed that a boater who was legally in-toxicated was 10 times more likely to becomeinvolved in a atal accident than one who was sober.

Alcohol also adversely aects vital body unctionssuch as balance, coordination, vision and judgment.Combining the eects o cold water and alcohol canspeed the onset o hypothermia (a dangerous cooling

o the bodys inner temperature), causing even goodswimmers to drown in minutes - oten within a ew

out o your boat, immediately attempt to reboardyour crat. Most small boats i overturned, can berighted and bailed out. In act, modern small crat

have built-in fotation that will support the weightof the occupants, even after capsizing or swamping. Iyou cant right the boat - climb on top and hang on.

Wearing your PFD will help protect you rom hy-pothermia in several ways. It decreases the amounto movement necessary to remain afoat, and it also

helps to insulate you rom heat loss. A PFD will alsokeep you afoat i you become unconscious due tohypothermia.

COLD WATER SURVIVAL TIME

The Danger Zone indicates where safety precautions andappropriate behavior can increase your chances of survival

when immersed in cold water.

DurationofImmersion(hours)

Water Temperature ( F)

Danger Zone

Low Probabilityof Death

30 40 50 60 70

High Probabilityof Death

5

4

3

2

1

ICE


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yards o saety.Even without drinking, our hours exposure to

environmental stressors such as sun, wind, noise,

vibration and temperature produce a kind o boatershypnosis which can slow your reaction time almostas much as i you were drunk. Adding alcohol ordrugs to these stressors intensies their eects to aperilous level.

PROPELLER INJURIES

Each year, people are seriously injured and killedby being hit by a propeller. Be sure to turn o yourmotor any time people are in the water near your

boat, especially near the stern. Never allow pas-sengers to board or exit rom the water when themotor is running. The prop may continue to turneven when the motor is in neutral, or someonecould accidentally bump the shit lever. Stay awayrom other boats towing skiers or tubers. Never use

reverse to pick someone up rom the water, insteadgo around again. Dont let them sit on the transom,gunwales or bow while underway, unless there areadequate railings to prevent alling overboard. Usethe engine cut-o lanyard that came with your motorand consider installing propeller saety devices.

THE CIRCLE OF DEATH

Every year, serious injuries and deaths occur whenoperators let go o the steering wheel or outboardsteering handle while the boat is moving. A phe-nomenon called steering torque orces the motor toslam let causing the boat to swerve sharply to theright, throwing the victim into the water.

The boat continues to travel in a circle and returnsto strike the victim in the water, inficting massive

propeller wounds. Thus the term circle o death.The way to avoid circle o death accidents is to


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avoid letting go o the steering wheel or handle until

the boat ceases all orward motion.I you notice that it takes extra pressure on thesteering wheel or handle, have your boat ser-viced immediately. On some smaller outboards,repair may be as simple as tightening a bolt.

For outboards and inboard-outboard crat, cor-

rective measures may involve resetting the boatstrim tab, the small n mounted on the anti-venti-lation or cavitation plate just behind the prop.

I the motor is equipped with an automatic killswitch, be sure to asten the lanyard to your lie

jacket or some article o clothing such as a belt loop.I you do all out o your boat, the lanyard, which isattached to the electrical system, disables the motor,keeping the boat rom circling back to hit you.

Be sure that clamp-on swivel seats are tightlysecured and that seat backs are sturdy enough

to withstand the shock o a victim being thrownagainst them.

1

2

3

Boat continuesto travel in acircle.

Boater releasesgrip on tiller, crat cutshard right, causing them

to be ejected into water.

Boat returns tostrike victim.


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THE SILENT KILLER -CARBON MONOXIDE

Passengers o just about any boat with a motor onboard can be victims o carbon monoxide poisoning.Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, tastelessgas that can be toxic even in very small quantitiessince its eects are cumulative over time. There have

been injuries and deaths caused by the inltrationo poisonous gasses into boats living and sleepingspaces.

Common signs o carbon monoxide poisoninginclude irritated eyes, headache, nausea, weak-ness and dizziness. These symptoms can oten be

misdiagnosed as seasickness or intoxication!A newly-recognized phenomenon has been

discovered where swimmers died when theyventured too closely to houseboats swim platormswhile engines or generators were running, andvictims have been poisoned while being towed ordragged too near the stern o a boat.

To help avoid the dangers o carbon monoxideon your watercrat:

Keep air fowing throughout the boat when-

ever any gas or diesel engine or propaneappliance is running. Stay away rom any area where engine or

generator exhaust is vented. Do not leave your generator running at night

or when anchored.

Install carbon monoxide detectors in theliving areas o your boat, test them requentlyand never remove the batteries unless youare replacing them with new ones.

Keep your boat and motor properly main-tained including keeping exhaust clamps

tight and in place. Also, its a good idea to


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replace exhaust hoses i there is cracking ordeterioration.

Skiing, dragging, or tubing closer than 20 eetrom a motorboat can be atal rom carbon monox-ide poisoning - so stay well away!

THE DROWNING MACHINE

Lowhead dams have claimed 13 lives in the lasttwenty years. These dams are usually small structuresno more than 10 eet high, although some are aslow as six inches. Because o their small size, they

do not appear to be dangerous, especially rom aboat or canoe upstream. In the spring and duringother periods o high runo, however, the damsbecome very dangerous. The recirculating currentcreated by the water pouring over the dam creates abackwash. This current takes any object - including

people wearing PFDs - to the bottom o the stream,releases it to the surace, sucks it back to the aceo the dam, and pushes it back to the bottom; thecycle can continue indenitely. Swimmers, anglers,canoeists and people in motorboats all have allenvictim to this perect drowning machine. Keep well

clear o these structures.

This sign, installed at

many dam sites aroundthe state, warns peopleof the potential dangersof a lowhead dam.

DANGER!HAZARDOUS RECIRCULATINGCURRENTS BELOW THIS DAM

CAN TRAP AND DROWN A VICTIM


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FLOAT PLAN

Beore you head out on the water, let someoneknow where you are going to be boating or shingand when you will return. Give them a descriptiono your car, where it will be parked, inormationabout your boat and who will be on board. Be sure tocontact that person i you are delayed and give them

a revised return time. It is very important that theperson understands they are to contact the countysheri or other appropriate agency right away i youdont return by the appointed time. In most cases,a delay in calling or assistance can mean the di-erence between successul rescue and a recovery

operation.

BOATING COURSES

Learn more about boating and water saety.

Organizations such as the DNR, U.S. Coast GuardAuxiliary, U.S. Power Squadrons, Red Cross, andlocal school districts have ree or low cost educa-tion programs and publications available. Call (800)336-BOAT toll ree to nd the class nearest you orcheck out the Internet sites on pages 63-64.

BOATING ON LAKESUPERIOR

As more people turn to the waters o Lake Superioror shing and boating, the importance o boatingsaety cannot be overemphasized.

Take a boating saety course rom the U.S.Coast Guard Auxiliary (USCGA), or U.S.Power Squadrons and get advice rom vet-eran boaters.


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Minnesota

WisconsinMichigan

Ontario

Lake Superior

Make sure your crat size is appropriate andyou have the required saety equipment -have a USCGA Vessel Saety Check (VSC) tomake sure.

Weather can change rapidly on the lake -

monitor the skies and radio. Water temperatures on Superior are alwayscold - even in the summer - always wearyour lie jacket and consider other survivalgear as well.

Carry a VHF marine radio, chart, visual

distress signals and Global PositioningSystem (GPS) - but remember electronicscan sometimes ail.

Let someone know where you are going andwhen you will return.

Take advantage o the DNRs sae harbors

and launch ramps on Lake Superior. Order aree copy o the Lake Superior Boating Guideby contacting the DNR at the address ore-mail at the back o this booklet. You mayalso download it rom www.mndnr.gov/

boating and click on Lake Superior BoatingGuide.

VISUAL DISTRESS SIGNALS

Lake Superior is the only place in Minnesota

where ederal law requires the proper number andtype o visual distress signals (VDS) to be carried


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on board boats: Crat less than 16 eet, boats participating in

organized events, non-motorized open sail-

boats less than 26 eet and manually pro-pelled boats are NOT required to carry VDSduring the daytime, but must carry night VDSwhen operating between sunset and sunrise.

All VDS must be U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)approved or certied as meeting USCG re-

quirements, in serviceable condition andreadily accessible. Pyrotechnic devices maynot be beyond their expiration date. Non-pyrotechnic VDS include the orange distressfag (day signal only) and the electric distresslight (night signal only) that automaticallyfashes the international SOS signal. The dis-tress fag must be at least 3 X 3 eet with ablack square and ball on an orange background.

For more complete inormation on VDS andother ederal requirements see the booklet

Federal Requirements & Saety Tips avail-able at no charge rom the U.S. CoastGuard at www.uscgboating.org online.

SECURITY

Due to heightened national security, please notethe ollowing when you are boating or shing: On occasion, U.S. Navy ships may be en-

countered on Lake Superior or the Duluth-Superior Harbor - stay at least 100 yards

rom these vessels, and operate at slow-nowake speed within 500 yards.

I possible, avoid commercial ships and portareas on Lake Superior.

Observe any restricted areas near powerplants, dams and bridges and when possible,

avoid anchoring near these areas.


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Report any suspicious activity immediatelyby using your cell phone (always call 911 oran emergency response) or use your marine

radio to contact the U.S. Coast Guard, stateor local enorcement ocers. The CoastGuard has also established a 24-hour toll-ree number at its national response center1-877-24WATCH.Suspicious activities could include:

(1) People appearing to be engaged insurveillance activities, especially aroundcritical or restricted areas (see above).

(2) Unusual boating activity or unattendedboats in unusual locations.

(3) Persons attempting to buy or rent a boatwith cash or a short-term undened use.

(4) Large numbers o people on board non-passenger vessels.

(5) Unusual nighttime activity or lightsfashing between boats.

PUBLIC WATER ACCESS

INFORMATION & MAPS

Minnesota has over 3,000 public accesses to lakesand rivers. Over 1,500 o these are managed by theDepartment o Natural Resources. Free maps show-ing access location and inormation are available ormost counties. You can view and print them onlineat the DNR web page:

www.mndnr.gov/wateraccessor call the DNR Inormation Center at

(651) 296-6157 or toll ree (888) 646-6367.

LAUNCHING YOUR BOAT

Here are a couple o tips when using an access:


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Make the next launch easier - practice back-ing your boat trailer in an empty parkinglot beore venturing out to the lake or river.

At the access, make sure your boat is readyto launch beore you back your trailer ontothe ramp remove travel covers, tie-downs(except the bow winch line), tilt the motoror lower unit up, attach a control line tohandle the boat during the launch and en-

sure your drain plug is in. When you retrieve your boat,

Documents

2011MN_boatingguide