Laws and Safety Equipment

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BOATING RESOURCES AND EVENTS

Public Boat Ramps and Parking Lots

• A boat ramp, seawall, or other mooring facility are used on a first-come, first-serve basis.
• Vessels must always be attended at any seawall or other mooring facility. Disabled vessels shall clear the area as soon as possible.
• Seawalls or other mooring facility are for vessels loading and unloading and as a holding area for vessels waiting to use boat ramps.
• Do not moor or conduct repairs to a vessel in any area which interferes with vessel traffic at a boat ramp. Ramp space shall be kept clear at all times for usage of vessels being launched or recovered.
• Vessels left abandoned at any seawall or other mooring facility or found adrift will be removed at the owner's expense. Vessels left unattended at any seawall or other mooring facility in excess of 48 hours without contacting the Division or a Fish and Wildlife Agent shall be deemed abandoned.

Follow these guidelines for parking lots:

• Park the vehicle or boat trailer in an designated parking space only.
• Don’t park, stop, or stand a vehicle or boat trailer in front of a boat ramp except in designated areas and don’t impede traffic
• Overnight camping in a parking lot is prohibited.
• Any abandoned vehicle or boat trailer will be removed at the owner's expense. Vehicles or boat trailers left unattended in a parking lot for in excess of 48 hours without contacting the Division or a Fish and Wildlife Agent shall be deemed abandoned.
• Operators of emergency vehicles shall have priority over all other vehicles. Vessel operators shall clear passage for emergency vehicles on their approach or when directed by an enforcement officer.

Tidal Water Boat Access Facilities

Any vessel utilizing tidal water boat access facilities provided by the Department must be registered with the State or shall purchase a "boat ramp certificate."

The "boat ramp certificate" fee is $35.00, and it must be affixed in a satisfactory location to the boat for which intended and is nontransferable.

REGATTAS, MOTORBOAT RACES, MARINE PARADES, TOURNAMENTS OR EXHIBITIONS

The Department may authorize the holding of regattas, motorboat or other boat races, marine parades, tournaments or exhibitions on any waters of this State.

• Whenever a regatta, motorboat race, or other boat race, marine parade, tournament or exhibition is proposed to be held, the person in charge thereof shall, at least 30 days prior thereto, file an application with the Department for permission to hold the event.

No event may be conducted without authorization of the Department in writing.