Boating is fun… we’ll show you how Section 8 Wisconsin State Boating Laws Revised 2015

Boating is fun… we’ll show you howBoating is fun… we’ll show you howBoating is fun… we’ll show you howBoating is fun… we’ll show you how

Section 8

Wisconsin State Boating Laws

Revised 2015


Exotic Species:

Wisconsin statutes prohibit launching a boat, boat trailer, or boating equipment if there are any aquatic plants or zebra mussels attached.

Inspect your boat, trailer, bilge, live wells, and bait containers for visible plants, animals, & mud. Do not transport to other bodies of water.

Dry boats & equipment for at least 5 days.

Environmental Regulations


Hull Identification Number:• Boats built after 1972• Engraved or permanently

attached to transom• Similar to VIN of auto

Federal Documented Vessels:• Must be registered with

Wisconsin• Follow USCG guidelines

RegistrationRegistration


Certificate of Number (Registration):•Must be carried aboard vessel•Expires on March 31•Good for 3 years

ALL – except:•non-motorized - under 16 feet, canoes, kayaks•Registered in other states & in Wisconsin for 60 days or less



Registration Numbers and Validation Decal Display:• Affixed to bow – both sides• 3 inch BLOCK letters• Validation Decal: space 3” after letters• Contrasting colors to bow• Space or hyphen between letters and

numbers• Example: WS 3717 ZW or WS-3717-ZW• No other numbers displayed on bow



Valid Boating Safety Certificate - Issued By:

• WI DNR• United States Coast Guard Auxiliary• United Sates Power Squadrons• Other NASBLA approved course providers

Boat Rentals - Must Meet:• Wisconsin age requirements (16 for PWC)• Boating Safety Certificate requirements

Boat OperationBoat Operation


Boat Safety EducationBoat Safety Education

Wisconsin boating safety certification or

out-of-state equivalent certification is required for operators

born on or after January 1, 1989

7


Navigation Lights: (Displayed Sunset to Sunrise, periods of restricted visibility)

Motorboats: One White light visible for 2 miles (All Around), Combination Red (Port side) & Green (Starboard side) attached so the light shows directly ahead to 225 Degrees

Non-motorized: Must carry a White light and displayed in sufficient time to avoid collisions. Visible for 2 mile distance

Boat OperationBoat Operation


Who May Operate:Less than 12 years old: Never12–15 years old:

• Valid Boat Safety Certificate AND• Parental permission is not a substitute

for boat safety certificate.

16 years and older:• Valid Boat Safety Certificate• Minimum age to rent

PWC OperationPWC Operation


Boat Battery: Must be secured against shifting & Both negative and positive terminals must be covered. (Covered battery box with straps works best)

Fire Extinguisher: Unlawful to operate a motorboat, except outboards of open construction, without fire extinguisher of the size, type, and number as specified

Equipment RequirementEquipment Requirement


Fire Extinguisher Requirement by boat size and class:A = Less than 16’ = 1 size B-11 = 16’, less than 26’ = 1 size B-12 = 26’, less than 40’ = 2 size B-1 or 1 size B-23 = 40’, and over = 3 size B-1 or 1 size B-2 & 1 B-1

Gasoline Inboard boat engine: Must have a bilge ventilator (blower system) to vent fuel vapors & must have a USCG approved flame arrestor (carbureted engines)

Mufflers: Boat noise must not exceed 86db

Equipment RequirementEquipment Requirement


Available for each person on board:

• Type I – Offshore – Turn unconscious person face-up

• Type II - Near Shore – might turn person face-up

• Type III - Floatation Aid – will not turn person face-up

• Type IV – Throwable – not to be worn

• Type V – Special Use Device – vest, suits - used

according to label (Must be worn to be valid)

PFD Requirements:PFD Requirements:


All PFD’s Must Be:

•Proper size

•Readily accessible

• Serviceable condition

Federal Waters: Under age 13 must

wear PFD while underway(Great lakes)



• Vessel 16’ or over: must have Throwable

(except canoes or kayaks)

• One USCG approved wearable PFD of proper

size & type for each person on board

• PWC: Must wear Type I, II, III, or V to operate

• Inflatables are not legal for watersports

(PWC, Skiing, or whitewater paddling



• All must wear a PFD Non-inflatable Type I – III, or V

• Not legal to operate between sunset & sunrise• Minimum operator age of 12 (Rental age 16)• Lanyard must be attached to operator• If between 12– 16 years old: Must possess a

valid state-approved boating safety certificate• PWC restricted to slow-no-wake within 100’ of

any other boat, PWC, skier• PWC restricted to slow-no-wake within 200’ of

the shoreline of any lake

Requirements - PWCRequirements - PWC


• Illegal Reckless Operation:• Must be at “Slow - No Wake” speed:

• Within 100’ of any other vessel on the waterbody

• Within 200’ of shoreline on any lake• Less than 100’ from docks, piers, rafts or

restricted areas on any lake• Illegal to disturb wildlife & aquatic vegetation

Requirements - PWCRequirements - PWC


• Waterskiing: Requires 3 People (Minimum)• PWC: Must be rated by Manufacturer to carry 3

People (includes gear)• No Skiing between sunset & sunrise• Must have an observer, in addition to the

operator• Keep the towed person at least 100’ away

from:• Moored or anchored vessel, dock or raft, marked

swim area or person in the water.

Towing Behind VesselTowing Behind Vessel


Stay Clear of DiversStay Clear of Divers

Diver-Down:

Diver in the water

Alpha Flag:

Vessel unable

to maneuver

•Diver: within 50’ of flag


• Weaving in and out of congested area• Jumping Wakes (minimum distance)• Chasing, Harassing, Disturbing Wildlife or Vegetation• Causing damage from wake• Operating at greater than “slow, no wake” speed:• Within 100 ft. of any dock, raft, pier, or buoyed restricted

area on any lake at a speed in excess of “slow, no wake speed

• Loading beyond capacity stated on the capacity plate.• In restricted areas• Bow riding – walking, standing in areas of boat not designed

to• Operating under influence of intoxicant or controlled

substance or with a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or higher

Unlawful Operation:Unlawful Operation:


A "reportable" boat incident is any incident (regardless of the number of boats involved) that results in loss of life, injuries that require medical treatment beyond first aid, boat or property damage in excess of $2,000, or complete loss of a boat.

Wisconsin law requires every boat operator involved in a reportable boat incident to report the incident without delay to law enforcement officials. In addition, within 10 days of the incident, the operator must submit a written report:

http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/boat/crashinfo.html

Reporting a Boat Accident

Reporting a Boat Accident


Questions / Comments

Documents

Boating is fun… we’ll show you how Section 8 Wisconsin State Boating Laws Revised 2015