Rules on Boating
 Vermont  Law requires that you check boat and trailer for milfoil before launching 

TOPICS:

Boats, Water Skiers, Docks, Lake Customs - scroll down to topic

Boats:

1.Motor boats must be registered and the certificate carried in boat.

2.Must contain one (1) Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (PFD) for each person aboard.

3.Shall not be operated in a careless and negligent manner,  nor be overloaded.

4.Must be kept a minimum of 200 feet from all objects, swimmers and shore when operated at speeds of more than 5 miles per hour.

5.Each boater shall be responsible for damage caused by boat wake.

6.A child under age 12 must WEAR a Coast Guard approved personal flotation device while in a boat  (including towed vessels such as tubes).

7.No person under the age of 12 may operate a motorboat powered by more than six (6) horsepower.

8.All persons under the age of 16 must wear an approved personal flotation device while aboard a sailboat.

9.All persons being towed behind boats must wear a PFD.

10.Boating while intoxicated or under influence punishable by state law same as DWI.

11.All persons born after Jan 1, 1974 are required to have proof of completion of a boating safety course before operating a motorboat in Vermont.  Courses are given in every state.  For information,  see internet:  www.boatsafe.com. 

WATER SKIERS

1.Must always wear an approved PFD.

2.Must stay a minimum of 200 feet from boats, docks, floats, and swimmers,  except when leaving shore, when traveling at more than  5 miles per hour.    (Because of this law) our attorney states that all boats on Lake Pauline should travel at speeds of less than 5 miles per hour.

3.Shall not ski in a careless and negligent manner.

4.Shall have two (2) persons on board, one to operate boat and watch ahead,    and the other to observe skier.  Observer must be 12 years old or older.   

DOCKS IN VERMONT LAKES

In accordance with 29 V.S.A. Chapter 11, Management of Lakes and Ponds, docks in Vermont lakes and ponds must meet at least one of the following two requirements.  Failure to comply with at least one of these two criteria may subject the dock owner to an enforcement action by the Agency of Natural Resources.

Criteria 1:

a.Navigation or boating is not unreasonably impeded and

b.The dock is wooden or metal, used solely for noncommercial purposes, and is mounted on piles or floats; and

c.The combined length of all docks located within 100 feet of each other which are owned or controlled by the same person does not exceed 50 feet; and

d.The total surface area of all docks located within 100 feet of each other which are owned or controlled by the same person does not exceed 500 square feet; and

e.Concrete, masonry, earth or rock fill, sheet piling, bulkheading, cribwork, or similar construction does not form any part of the dock.

Criteria 2:  Possession of an unexpired permit for the dock, issued un 20 V.S.A. Chapter 11, Management of Lake and Ponds.

The Agency is undertaking shoreline inspections to enforce this statue.  If your dock does not meet at least one of the above criteria, or if you have questions, contact Steven Hanna of the Shoreland Encroachment Program.

APPROVED CUSTOMS RECOMMENDED 
BY LAKE RESCUE ASSOCIATION

1.Water skiing and fast boating is discouraged before 9:00 A.M. and after 7:00 P.M.  No skiing after dark,  Vermont law.

2.FAST BOAT AND SKI TRAFFIC SHOULD GO IN A GENERALLY COUNTER-CLOCKWISE DIRECTION.

3.When two (2) boats are approaching each other,  each boat shall bear to the right and pass other boat on the left side.  Boats without power have right-of-way, Vermont state and Federal law.

4.Make complaints and report violations to State Police at (802)  234-9933

                  "Safe and considerate boating is everyone's
                     responsibility for an enjoyable summer"