20.1-13 Boating Regulation - North Dakota Statutes

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CHAPTER 20.1-13BOATING REGULATION20.1-13-01. General penalty. Any person violating a provision of this chapter for whicha penalty is not specifically provided is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.20.1-13-02.Operation of unnumbered and unlicensed motorboats prohibited -Penalty. Every motorboat propelled by a motor on the waters of this state must be numbered
and licensed as prescribed in this chapter. No person may operate or give permission for the
operation of any motorboat on such waters unless the motorboat is numbered and licensed in
accordance with this chapter, with applicable federal law, or with a federally approved numbering
system of another state, and unless:1.The certificate of number awarded to such motorboat is in full force and effect.2.The identifying number set forth in the certificate of number is displayed on each
side of the bow of such motorboat.Any person who violates this section is guilty of a class 2 noncriminal offense.20.1-13-03. Identification number and license - Penalty.1.The owner of each motorboat shall file an application for number and license with
the department on forms approved by it. The application must be signed by the
owner of the motorboat and must be accompanied by the appropriate fee. Upon
receipt of the application in approved form, the department shall enter the same
upon the records of its office and issue the applicant a certificate of number and
license stating the number awarded to the motorboat and the name and address of
the owner.When an identification number has previously been issued by thedepartment, the same application procedure and fee apply for the issuance of a
current license. The department shall pay all funds collected hereunder to the state
treasurer who shall credit such funds to the state game and fish fund to pay for the
costs of administering this chapter. The owner shall attach to each side of the bow
of the motorboat the identification number and current license of such type and in
such manner as may be prescribed by rules of the department in order that they
may be clearly visible.The number and license must be maintained in legiblecondition. The certificate of number must be available at all times for inspection on
the motorboat for which issued, whenever such motorboat is in operation.2.The owner of any motorboat already covered by a number in full force and effect
which has been awarded to it pursuant to then operative federal law or a federally
approved numbering system of another state may operate the motorboat on the
waters of this state for the ninety-day reciprocity period provided for in section
20.1-13-06. After the ninety-day reciprocity period has expired, such motorboats are
subject to the numbering and licensing provisions of subsection 1.3.Should the ownership of a motorboat change, a new application form, with the
license fee prorated on a yearly basis, must be filed with the department and a new
certificate of number and license must be awarded in the same manner as provided
for in an original award of number and license.4.In the event that an agency of the United States government has in force an overall
system of identification numbering for motorboats within the United States, the
numbering system employed pursuant to this chapter by the department must be in
conformity therewith.5.The department may award any certificate of number or license directly or may
authorize any person to act as agent for the awarding thereof. In the event that aPage No. 1person accepts such authorization, that person may be assigned a block of
numbers, certificates, and licenses which upon award, in conformity with this chapter
and with any rules of the department, are valid as if awarded directly by the
department.6.All records of the department made or kept pursuant to this section are public
records.7.Every certificate of number and license awarded pursuant to this chapter continues
in full force and effect for a period of three years unless sooner terminated or
discontinued in accordance with this chapter. Certificates of number and licenses
may be renewed by the owner in the same manner provided for in the initial securing
of the same.8.The department shall fix a day and month on which certificates of number and
licenses due to expire during the calendar year lapse and are no longer of any force
and effect unless renewed pursuant to this chapter.9.The owner shall furnish the department notice of the transfer of all or any part of the
owner's interest other than the creation of a security interest in a motorboat
numbered and licensed in this state pursuant to subsections 1 and 2, of the theft or
recovery of such motorboat, or of the destruction or abandonment of such
motorboat, within fifteen days thereof. Such transfer, destruction, or abandonment
terminates the certificate of number and license for such motorboat except that, in
the case of a transfer of a part interest which does not affect the owner's right to
operate such motorboat, such transfer does not terminate the certificate of number
and license.10.Any holder of a certificate of number and license shall notify the department within
fifteen days if the holder's address no longer conforms to the address appearing on
the certificate and shall, as a part of such notification, furnish the department with
the holder's new address. The department may provide in its rules for the surrender
of the certificate bearing the former address and its replacement with a certificate
bearing the new address or for the alteration of an outstanding certificate to show the
new address of the holder.11.No number other than the number and license awarded to a motorboat or granted
reciprocity pursuant to this chapter may be painted, attached, or otherwise displayed
on either side of the bow of such motorboat.12.The certificate of number for vessels less than twenty-six feet [7.92 meters] in length
and leased or rented to another for the latter's noncommercial use of less than
twenty-four hours may be retained on shore by the vessel's owner or owner's
representative at the place from which the vessel departs or returns to the
possession of the owner or owner's representative. A vessel which does not have
the certificate of number on board must be identified while in use and comply with
such other requirements as the department prescribes.13.Any person who violates this section is guilty of a class 2 noncriminal offense.20.1-13-03.1.Manufacture and sale of outboard motors.No outboard motormanufactured after January 1, 1980, may be sold or offered for commercial sale by a dealer in
this state unless the motor has permanently engraved thereon by the manufacturer an identifying
serial number. The serial mark must be of a permanent nature so as to prevent or discourage
the removal, defacing, alteration, or destruction thereof. Any person who violates this section is
guilty of a class 2 noncriminal offense.20.1-13-03.2. Outboard motor - Serial number removed - Penalty. No person maypossess, repair, or sell an outboard motor, acquired after January 1, 1980, from which the serialPage No. 2number has been removed.Any person who violates this section is guilty of a class 2noncriminal offense.20.1-13-04. Rules - Licensing watercraft for hire - Annual inspection - Penalty. Thedirector, to promote the public safety, shall adopt rules to license watercraft used for hire, or
furnished with cottages let for hire, and to prescribe the safety equipment, construction, and
manner of operation of the craft. The director shall provide for annual inspection of all watercraft
used for hire to determine if rules governing the watercraft have been complied with and may
issue licenses to operate the watercraft. The director shall issue, along with each license, some
evidence that the craft has been inspected and conforms to the standards governing the craft.
No person may operate watercraft used for hire or furnished with cottages let for hire without a
current year's license. Any person who violates this section is guilty of a class 2 noncriminal
offense.20.1-13-05. Equipment - Penalty.1.Every vessel must have aboard:a.If equipped with a marine toilet or other similar device for the disposition of
sewage or other wastes, only that type of marine toilet equipped with a
treatment device meeting standards established by the state water pollution
control board.The department of health shall furnish a list of the types oftreatment devices currently available and considered acceptable for use with
marine toilets under this subdivision. No person owning or operating a vessel
upon the waters of this state may use, operate, or permit the use or operation
of any marine toilet or similar device unless it is approved under this
subdivision. No person may discharge into the waters of this state, directly or
indirectly from a vessel, any untreated sewage or other wastes. No container
of untreated sewage or other wastes may be placed, left, discharged, or caused
to be placed, left, or discharged in or near any waters of this state from a vessel
in such a manner or quantity as to create a nuisance or health hazard, or
pollute such waters.b.Such additional equipment designed to promote the safety of navigation and of
persons as the game and fish department may find appropriate and for which it
has provided in its rules.2.No person may operate or give permission for the operation of a vessel that is not
equipped as required by this section.3.Any person who violates this section is guilty of a class 2 noncriminal offense.20.1-13-06. Exemption from numbering provisions of this chapter. A motorboatmay not be required to be numbered under this chapter if it is:1.Already covered by a number, in full force and effect, awarded it pursuant to federal
law or a federally approved numbering system of another state, provided such
motorboat has not been within this state for more than ninety consecutive days.2.A motorboat from a foreign country temporarily using the waters of this state.3.A motorboat owned by the United States, a state, or a subdivision thereof.4.A ship's lifeboat.5.A motorboat belonging to a class of boats exempted from numbering by the
department after said agency has found that the numbering of motorboats of such
class will not materially aid in their identification; and, if an agency of the federal
government has a numbering system applicable to the class of motorboats to whichPage No. 3the motorboat in question belongs, after the department has further found that the
motorboat would also be exempt from numbering if it were subject to the federal law.20.1-13-07. Prohibited operation - Penalty.1.No person may operate any motorboat or vessel, or manipulate any water skis,
surfboard, or similar device in a reckless or negligent manner so as to endanger the
life, limb, or property of any person. Reckless or negligent operation of a motorboat
or vessel includes weaving through congested motorboat or vessel traffic, jumping
the wake of another motorboat or vessel within one hundred feet [30.48 meters] of
the motorboat or vessel, or in any other manner that is not reasonable or prudent.2.A person may not operate a motorboat or vessel, or manipulate water skis, a
surfboard, or similar device if any of the following apply:a.That person has an alcohol concentration of at least ten one-hundredths of one
percent by weight at the time of the performance of the test within two hours
after the operating of a motorboat or vessel.b.That person is under the influence of intoxicating liquor.c.That person is under the influence of any drug or substance or combination of
drugs or substances to a degree which renders that person incapable of safely
operating a motorboat or vessel.d.That person is under the combined influence of alcohol and any other drugs or
substances to a degree which renders that person incapable of safely operating
a motorboat or vessel.The fact that a person charged with violating this section is or has been legally
entitled to use alcohol or other drugs or substances is not a defense against any
charge for violating this section, unless a drug which predominantly caused
impairment was used only as directed or cautioned by a practitioner who legally
prescribed or dispensed the drug to that person.3.No person under twelve years of age may operate a motorboat propelled by over a
ten horsepower motor unless the operator is accompanied by a person eighteen
years of age or older. Any person who violates this subsection is guilty of a class 2
noncriminal offense.4.No person of twelve through fifteen years of age may operate a motorboat propelled
by over a ten horsepower motor unless the operator is accompanied by a person
eighteen years of age or older or the operator has taken and passed a boating
course approved by the department. Any person who violates this subsection is
guilty of a class 2 noncriminal offense.5.No person may cause or knowingly permit a minor under sixteen years of age to
operate a motorboat propelled by over a ten horsepower motor unless the minor is
otherwise authorized to do so by this section.6.No person may operate a motorboat or vessel within one hundred feet [30.48
meters] of a person fishing from a shoreline, swimmer, swimming diving raft, or an
occupied, anchored or nonmotorized vessel, or within two hundred fifty feet [76.20
meters] of a reduced speed or slow or no wake sign at greater than slow or no wake
speed.7.No person may operate or permit the operation of a personal watercraft:Page No. 4a.Without each person on board the personal watercraft wearing a United States
coast guard approved type I, II, III, or V personal flotation device;b.Within one hundred feet [30.48 meters] of a person fishing from a shoreline,
swimmer, swimming diving raft, or an occupied, anchored or nonmotorized
vessel at greater than slow or no wake speed;c.While towing a person on water skis, a kneeboard, an inflatable craft, or any
other device unless an observer is on board;d.Without a lanyard-type engine cutoff switch being attached to the person,
clothing, or personal flotation device of the operator, if the personal watercraft is
equipped by the manufacturer with such a device;e.If any part of the spring-loaded throttle mechanism has been removed, altered,
or tampered with so as to interfere with the return-to-idle system;f.To chase or harass wildlife;g.Through emergent or floating vegetation at other than slow or no wake speed;h.In a manner that unreasonably or unnecessarily endangers life, limb, or
property, including weaving through congested watercraft traffic, jumping the
wake of another watercraft within one hundred feet [30.48 meters] of the other
watercraft; ori.In any other manner that is not reasonable and prudent.20.1-13-08. Collisions, accidents, casualties, and liability. The operator of a vesselinvolved in a collision, accident, or other casualty, so far as that person can do so without serious
danger to that person's own vessel, crew, and passengers, shall render to other persons affected
by the collision, accident, or other casualty such assistance as may be practicable and necessary
to save them from or minimize any danger caused by the collision, accident, or other casualty.
That person shall also give that person's name, address, and vessel identification in writing to
any person injured and to the owner of any property damaged in the collision, accident, or other
casualty. If a collision, accident, or other casualty involving a vessel results in death or injury to a
person or damage to property in excess of an amount specified by the director by rule, or a
person disappears from the vessel under circumstances that indicate death or injury, the operator
of the vessel shall file with the department a full description of the collision, accident, or other
casualty, including such information as the director may require by rule.Any operator of a vessel, or other person who complies with this section or whogratuitously and in good faith renders assistance at the scene of a vessel collision, accident, or
other casualty without objection of any person assisted may not be held liable for any civil
damages as a result of the rendering of assistance or for any act or omission in providing or
arranging salvage, towage, medical treatment, or other assistance where the assisting person
acts as an ordinary, reasonably prudent person would have acted under the same or similar
circumstances.20.1-13-09. Transmittal of information. In accordance with any request duly made byan authorized official or agency of the United States, any information compiled or otherwise
available to the department pursuant to section 20.1-13-08 must be transmitted to said official or
agency.20.1-13-10. Water skis and surfboard - Penalty.1.No person may manipulate any water skis, surfboard, or similar device without
wearing a life preserver approved by the department.Page No. 52.No person may operate a vessel on any waters of this state towing a person or
persons on water skis, a surfboard, or similar device, nor may any person engage in
water skiing, surfboarding, or similar activity at any time between the hours from one
hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise.3.The provisions of subsections 1 and 2 do not apply to a performer engaged in a
professional exhibition or a person engaged in an activity authorized under section
20.1-13-11, and the provisions of subsection 1 do not apply to a person sixteen
years of age or older engaged in windsurfing or boardsailing.4.No person may operate or manipulate any vessel, towrope, or other device by which
the direction or location of water skis, a surfboard, or similar device may be affected
or controlled in such a way as to cause the water skis, surfboard, or similar device,
or any person thereon, to collide with or strike against any object or person.5.No person may operate a vessel on any waters of this state towing a person or
persons on water skis, a surfboard, or similar device unless there is another person
in the towing vessel observing the person or persons being towed. However, this
subsection does not apply to members of any organization regularly staging water
ski shows, tournaments, or exhibitions while engaged in the performance of such
shows, tournaments, or exhibitions. The department shall adopt rules to allow such
organizations to practice in preparation for such events, as prescribed in section
20.1-13-11.6.Any person who violates this section is guilty of a class 2 noncriminal offense.20.1-13-11. Regattas, races, marine parades, tournaments, or exhibitions.1.The department may authorize the holding of regattas, motorboat, or other boat
races, marine parades, tournaments, or exhibitions on any waters of this state. It
shall adopt and may, from time to time, amend rules concerning the safety of
motorboats and other vessels and persons thereon, either observers or participants.
Whenever a regatta, motorboat, or other boat race, marine parade, tournament, or
exhibition is proposed to be held, the person in charge thereof, shall, at least ten
days prior thereto, file an application with the department for permission to hold the
same.The application must set forth the date, time, and location where it isproposed to be held, and it may not be conducted without authorization of the
department in writing.2.The provisions of this section do not exempt any person from compliance with
applicable federal law or regulation, and do not require the securing of a state permit
pursuant to this section if a permit therefor has been obtained from an authorized
agency of the United States.20.1-13-12. Local regulation prohibited.1.The provisions of this chapter, and of other applicable state laws, govern the
operation, equipment, numbering, and all other matters relating thereto whenever
any vessel is operated on the waters of this state, or when any activity regulated by
this chapter takes place thereon. Nothing in this chapter prevents the adoption of
any ordinance or local law relating to operation and equipment of vessels the
provisions of which are identical to the provisions of this chapter, amendments
thereto, or rules issued thereunder. Such ordinances or local laws are operative
only so long as and to the extent that they continue to be identical to provisions of
this chapter, amendments thereto, or rules issued thereunder.2.Any subdivision of this state may, at any time, but only after public notice, make
formal application to the department for special rules with reference to the operationPage No. 6of vessels on any waters within its territorial limits and shall set forth therein the
reasons which make such special rules necessary or appropriate.3.The department is hereby authorized to make special rules with reference to the
operation of vessels on any waters within the territorial limits of any subdivision of
this state.20.1-13-13. Owner's civil liability. The owner of a vessel is liable for any injury ordamage occasioned by the negligent operation of such vessel, whether such negligence consists
of a violation of state statutes, or neglecting to observe such ordinary care and such operation as
the rules of the common law require. The owner is not liable, however, unless such vessel is
being used with the owner's express or implied consent. It must be presumed that such vessel is
being operated with the knowledge and consent of the owner, if at the time of the injury or
damage it is under the control of the owner's spouse, father, mother, brother, sister, son,
daughter, or other immediate member of the owner's family. Nothing herein relieves any other
person from any liability that person would otherwise have, and nothing contained herein
authorizes or permits any recovery in excess of injury or damage actually incurred.20.1-13-14.Rules - Enforcement.Rules may be adopted pursuant to this chapterunder chapter 28-32. Every game warden, sheriff's officer, or highway patrolman of this state
has the authority to enforce the provisions of this chapter and in the exercise thereof has the
authority to stop and board any vessel subject to this chapter.20.1-13-15. Declaration of policy and purpose. It is the policy of this state to improveboating safety and to foster greater development, use, and enjoyment of all the waters of the
state by encouraging and assisting participation by the several political subdivisions of the state,
the boating industry, and the boating public in development of more comprehensive boating
safety programs, and by creating more flexible regulatory authority concerning the use of boats
and equipment. It is further declared to be the policy of the state to encourage greater and
continuing uniformity of boating laws and rules as among the subdivisions of the state, the state,
several states, and the federal government; a higher degree of reciprocity and comity among the
several jurisdictions; and closer cooperation and assistance between the state and the federal
government in developing, administering, and enforcing federal and state laws and rules
pertaining to boating safety.20.1-13-16. Boating safety program. The department shall develop and administer acomprehensive statewide boating safety program and administer state and federal funds
provided to the state for the purpose of implementing and supplementing improved boating
safety in this state.20.1-13-17.Conformity with applicable federal boat and associated equipmentsafety standards - Penalty. No boat or associated equipment manufactured after July 1, 1973,
not excluding any boat or associated equipment manufactured after July 1, 1973, whose owner is
this state or a political subdivision thereof, may be used on the waters of this state unless the
boat and associated equipment conform with applicable federal boat and associated equipment
safety standards as provided in the Federal Boat Safety Act of 1971 [Pub. L. 92-75; 85 Stat. 213;
46 U.S.C. 1451 et seq.], and acts amendatory thereto. Any person who violates this section is
guilty of a class 2 noncriminal offense.20.1-13-18.Termination of unsafe use.Any person authorized to enforce theprovisions of this chapter who observes a vessel being used without sufficient lifesaving or
firefighting devices or in an overloaded or other unsafe condition as defined in department rules,
and in the person's judgment such use creates an especially hazardous condition, may direct the
operator to take whatever immediate and reasonable steps would be necessary for the safety of
those aboard the vessel, including directing the operator to return to mooring and to remain there
until the situation creating the hazard is corrected or ended.20.1-13-19.Display of labels evidencing compliance.The state game and fishdepartment may require the display of seals, labels, plates, insignia, or other devices for thePage No. 7purpose of certifying or evidencing compliance with state or federal safety rules and standards for
boats and associated equipment.20.1-13-20. Personal flotation devices. It is unlawful for any person to operate or to bea passenger on any vessel less than twenty-seven feet [8.2296 meters] in length unless all
persons, ten years of age or younger present on the vessel, wear an appropriately sized and
properly fastened coast guard-approved type I, II, or III wearable personal flotation device while
the vessel is in operation. A personal flotation device is appropriately sized if it is designed to be
worn by a person of similar age, size, or weight as the wearer.20.1-13-21.Evidence of tax payment or exemption.With an application for amotorboat number and license under section 20.1-13-03 by an applicant in whose name the
motorboat has not previously been licensed, the applicant shall present proof of payment of sales
or use tax that was due upon acquisition or bringing the motorboat into this state for storage or
use in this state or shall present proof of exemption from sales or use taxes. Credit for taxes paid
by the applicant upon acquisition of the motorboat in another state must be allowed as provided
in section 57-40.2-11 if proof of that payment is presented. To establish that the motorboat was
acquired through a casual sale and qualifies for exempt status, the applicant shall present a
receipt for the sale signed by the seller and showing the seller's name and address.Thedepartment may waive the furnishing of a signed receipt for a casual sale if the applicant shows
good cause why a receipt is unavailable and signs a statement showing the name and address of
the seller and stating that to the best of the applicant's knowledge the seller is not in the business
of selling boats.Page No. 8Document Outlinechapter 20.1-13 boating regulation