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Camas
is home to several waterways, including Lacamas,
Round and Fallen Leaf lakes, and portions of the
Columbia and Washougal rivers. The increased use
of these waterways has created potential dangers
to life and property, and prompted complaints
of excessive noise, speeding, intoxicated boaters,
and illegal fishing. To address these issues,
Camas Police has created a Marine Patrol Unit.
The
Revised Code of Washington (RCW), Clark County
Code (CCC) and Camas Municipal Code (CMC) govern
operation of vessels and conduct of persons to
help make waterways as safe as possible and officers
will strictly enforce all safety requirements.
We
believe public education is key to voluntary compliance,
so this brochure has been prepared to explain
certain laws and equipment requirements. While
not all inclusive, we hope you find it helpful
and informative.
AUTHORITY
RCW
79A.60.080 requires a vessel to stop when directed
to do so by a law enforcement officer. It is a
felony to attempt to elude a law enforcement vessel.
RCW
79A.60.100 and CCC 16.00.000 permit officers to
stop and board any vessel and direct it to a suitable
pier or anchorage to carry out enforcement of
laws and regulations.
CCC
16.08.060 and CMC 10.40.157 require the operator
or person in charge of a vessel to permit a law
enforcement officer to examine any equipment of
such vessel required by law.
CCC
16.08.050 and CMC 10.40.060 requires the operator
of a vessel to cooperate with officers by providing
their name and address, and the name and address
of the vessel owner. It is also a crime to give
a false name and address.
DEFINITIONS
“Darkness”
means that period between sunset and sunrise.
“Operate”
means to steer, direct, or otherwise have physical
control of a vessel that is underway.
“Slow-no-wake”
means the speed at which a particular vessel being
operated does not create a discernable wake, but
in no event a speed in excess of five miles per
hour.
“Underway”
means that a vessel is not at anchor, or made
fast to the shore, or aground.
“USCG”
means United States Coast Guard
“Vessel”
includes every description of watercraft on the
water, other than a seaplane, used or capable
of being used as a means of transportation on
the water.
“Water
skiing” means the physical act of being
towed behind a vessel on, but not limited to,
any skis, aquaplane, kneeboard, tube, or other
similar device.
MAJOR VIOLATIONS
CMC
10.40.000 INCAPACITY OF OPERATOR – It is
unlawful for any person who owns or is in control
of any vessel to authorize or knowingly permit
the same to be operated by any person who by reason
of physical or mental disability, incapacity or
immaturity, is incapable of safely and lawfully
operating such vessel under the prevailing circumstances,
including the type, size and motor power of the
vessel, and the weather and water conditions.
RCW
79A.60.000 OPERATE VESSEL IN A RECKLESS MANNER
– Operate vessel carelessly and heedlessly
with a willful and wanton disregard of the rights,
safety, or property of another.
RCW
79A.60.000 OPERATE VESSEL UNDER THE INFLUENCE
– Operate vessel with .08 grams or more
of alcohol per 210 liters of breath as shown by
analysis, or while under the influence of or affected
by intoxicating liquor and/or drugs.
RCW
79A.60.000 OPERATE VESSEL IN NEGLIGENT MANNER
– Operate a vessel in disregard of careful
and prudent operation, or in disregard of careful
and prudent rates of speed that are no greater
than is reasonable and proper under the conditions
existing at the point of operation……and
so as not to unduly or unreasonably endanger life,
limb, property or other rights of any person entitled
to the use of such waters.
MISCELLANEOUS
SWIMMING
Swimming shall be confined to restricted areas
designed for swimming, within 100 feet of a pier,
the shore, or an accompanying vessel. Except in
an emergency, swimming is prohibited within designated
channels or within 100 feet of a boat launch area
where such activity would obstruct or hinder navigation
or boat operation.
UNDERWATER
DIVING
Must be done within 200 feet of a properly displayed
diver’s flag. Vessels must be operated at
slow-no-wake speeds within this area.
PERSONAL
WATERCRAFT
Personal
watercraft, also commonly known as jet-skis, waverunners,
etc, are vessels less than 16 feet that use a
water jet pump as the primary source of motive
power and are designed to be used by a person
sitting, standing, or kneeling on. Personal watercraft
have the potential for causing serious injury
because they are small, fast, and quick to maneuver.
Personal
watercraft must be registered and display registration
numbers and a current decal on each side just
like larger vessels.
Operators
of personal watercraft must be at least 14 years
of age and wear a Type I, II, III or V Personal
Floatation Device (PFD), commonly known as a life
jacket, although Type V (inflatable) devices are
not recommended for this type of activity. It
is a misdemeanor for a person, such as a parent
or guardian or other responsible person, to allow
a minor younger than 14 to operate personal watercraft.
Personal
watercraft shall not be operated in a reckless
manner, including but not limited to:
• recklessly weaving through congested waterway
traffic;
• recklessly swerving at the last possible
moment to avoid a collision;
• recklessly jumping the wake of another
vessel unreasonably close to that vessel or when
visibility around that vessel is obstructed.
• chasing, harassing, or disturbing wildlife.
Personal
watercraft shall not be operated after dark.
Personal
watercraft must carry a marine-type fire extinguisher
and sound device (horn or whistle).
The
ignition safety switch lanyard must be attached
to the operator at all times.
Personal
watercraft shall not carry more passengers than
designated by the manufacturer, and every passenger
must wear a US Coast Guard approved PFD.
Personal
watercraft may be used for water skiing, however
the requirements for an observer and orange ski
flag still apply (see water skiing section).
SPEED
RESTRICTIONS
GENERAL:
Vessels shall not exceed a slow-no-wake speed
within 100 feet of any shoreline, breakwater,
person in the water, boat launch, log sorting
area, or established moorage, regardless of the
speed otherwise authorized on a particular body
of water; except on the Columbia River the distance
shall be 200 feet.
Vessels
shall not exceed a maximum speed of 40 MPH, except
on the Columbia River.
Vessels
shall not exceed posted speed limits.
Vessels
shall not exceed a slow-no-wake speed within 200
feet of a posted divers flag.
Regardless
of the 40 MPH speed limit, a vessel shall be operated
in a careful and prudent manner and at a speed
no greater than is reasonable and proper under
the conditions at the time and place of operation,
taking into account the amount and character of
traffic; size of waters; freedom from obstruction
to view ahead; and so as to not unreasonably endanger
persons or property or other rights of any person
entitled to use of the water. The operator of
any vessel shall be responsible for its wake and
any damage or injuries caused by a wake.
SPECIAL RESTRICTIONS
LACAMAS
LAKE:
• Vessels shall not exceed slow-no-wake
speeds easterly of the buoys at the east end of
the lake across from the state boat launch and
westerly of the buoys at the west end of the lake.
• Seaplanes, when taxiing, shall not exceed
12 MPH.
ROUND LAKE:
• No internal combustion engines allowed.
WASHOUGAL
RIVER:
• No motorboats allowed above Hathaway Park
and the Washougal corporate limits.
WATER SKIING
Skiers
must wear a USCG approved Type I, II, III or V
Personal Flotation Device (PFD), commonly known
as a life jacket, although Type V (inflatable)
devices are not recommended for this activity.
The
towing vessel must have an observer on board independent
of the operator. The observer must be physically
capable and mentally competent to watch the skier.
An
orange or red 12X12” ski flag mounted on
a two-foot pole must be displayed whenever the
skier is down in the water.
Water
skiing is prohibited at night (between one hour
after sunset and one hour before sunrise).
Reckless
water skiing in a willful and wanton manner likely
to endanger any person or property is prohibited.
This applies to both the skier and the operator
of the vessel.
VESSEL REGISTRATION
All
vessels with an engine of 10HP or greater, including
personal watercraft, must be registered. If you
are a Washington State resident, it is a gross
misdemeanor to intentionally register a vessel
in another state to avoid paying Washington taxes.
All
registered vessels must display the registration
number and a current year decal on each side of
the vessel near the bow. The registration number
must be in block letters at least three inches
high and of a contrasting color to the paint scheme
so as to be readily identifiable. Script lettering
is not permitted.
Operators are required to produce a registration
certificate when requested by a law enforcement
officer (RCW 88.02.090).
VESSEL EQUIPMENT
Please
note that the following is the minimum required
equipment. Additional safety equipment, such as
signal flares, first aid kit, tools, radio, etc,
are encouraged.
CANOES/KAYAKS:
• Must have a USCG approved Type I, II,
III or V Personal Flotation Device (PFD), commonly
known as a life jacket, for everyone on board.
The PFD must be readily accessible and of the
proper size and type for the wearer. All Type
V PFD’s must be worn to meet carriage requirements.
• Children 12 years of age and younger must
wear a PFD at all times.
• Must have a sound device (horn or whistle).
• Must have a white lantern visible when
operated after dark.
VESSELS
UNDER 16 FEET:
• Must have USCG approved PFD’s as
described above.
• Children 12 years of age and younger must
wear a PFD at all times.
• Must have a USCG approved type “B-1”
marine fire extinguisher on vessels with enclosed
living spaces, enclosed engine or fuel spaces,
or permanently mounted fuel tanks.
• Must have a sound device (horn or whistle).
• Must have navigation lights/anchor light
when operated after dark
• Must have a backfire flame arrestor for
each carburetor of gas-powered engines built after
1940, except outboards.
• Must have a powered ventilation system
for enclosed engine spaces on vessels built after
August 1, 1980. Older vessels must have either
natural or powered ventilation.
VESSELS
16 FEET TO 26 FEET
• Must have all of the above, and:
• One Type IV throwable PFD (cushion or
ring).
VESSELS
19 FEET AND OVER
• Must have all of the above, except:
• Children 12 years of age and younger do
not need to wear life vest (one must still be
available).
GENERAL VESSEL OPERATION
OVERLOADING/OVERPOWERING:
No person shall knowingly load or power a vessel
beyond the maximum capacity specified by the manufacturer.
RIDING
ON DECKS/GUNWALES:
No person shall be allowed to ride or sit on the
gunwales or on the decking over the bow of a vessel
underway unless the vessel is equipped with adequate
guards or railings.
MOORING
TO BUOYS:
No person shall moor a vessel to or obstruct any
of the buoys or beacons placed in any waters,
nor in any manner hang on to any buoy or beacon.
NAVIGATION
RULES:
Familiarity with the rules is recommended, but
not required. Boaters should be familiar with
the “rules of the road” for crossing
and overtaking situations, as well as meeting
other vessels head on.
REGATTAS:
It is unlawful for any person to hold or participate
in any regatta, motorboat race, boating exhibition,
water ski tournament, or similar event unless
a permit is obtained through the police department.
VESSEL ACCIDENTS
The
operator of a vessel involved in a boating accident
must stop immediately and assist anyone injured
or in danger.
It
is a felony for the operator of a vessel to leave
the scene of an accident where someone has been
injured without rendering all practical and necessary
assistance to the person(s) injured.
A boating accident report must be completed if:
• A person dies or disappears from the vessel;
• A person is injured and requires medical
treatment beyond first aid;
• Damage to vessels or property exceeds
$500 or there is complete loss of a vessel.
Failure
to give accident information to a law enforcement
agency is a violation of RCW 79A.60.200. |
