“THE RULES” – BOATING/JET SKI SAFETY
A detailed description of the laws can be viewed at www.masoncounty.net. Select the Sheriff Department, Special Units, Marine Division.
Remember, state law requires:
- Must maintain a distance of 100 feet from rafts, docks, and swimming areas, unless traveling at no-wake speed.
- Whenever possible, boats and personal watercraft should travel in a counter-clockwise direction (i.e. keep the shoreline to your right).
- Personal watercraft should not cross within 150 feet behind another vessel.
High speed boating is when the boat reaches a "planing" condition. Make sure you are in open water to avoid collision. For fast boats, inland lakes have a 55 mph speed limit.
“Slow no wake” is a speed of a vessel which makes a wake or wash that is minimal. Go no faster than this when within 100 feet of any dock, raft, anchored vessel, bathing beaches, or buoys.
Intoxicated vessel operators go to jail!
PFD's must be worn.
The kill switch must be connected to the operator.
Do not follow less than 11.5 feet behind another boat.
An operator must be 16 years of age or older or have a boating safety certificate if between the ages of 12 and 16 years of age.
A personal watercraft (PCW) cannot be operated between sunset and sunrise. Our no high speed boating hours, 7:30pm to 11:00am, also apply.
The Sheriff’s Water Safety Patrol does not have a policy of giving only a warning to violators. It is the discretion of the officer, and the nature of the conduct, which determines how each situation will be handled.
CALL 911: If you observe someone operating unsafely, or in violation of the No High Speed Boating rule, you should call 911. An officer will respond if possible.
NOTE: Anyone placing any kind of structure in the lake could potentially be held liable in the case of an accident involving the structure. It is a good idea to place reflectors on any structure placed in the lake.