Laws and Safety Equipment

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Chapter Two: Utah Laws and Safety Requirements

Practice safe and legal boating every time you are on the water. Boating is a highly regulated recreational activity, and there may be occasions when a law enforcement officer will inspect your boat for compliance with equipment and legal conformity. The boat operator has the responsibility of ensuring the safety of all passengers and this includes making certain all required safety equipment is onboard the boat and ready to use.

LAW ENFORCEMENT

Boating laws are enforced primarily by Utah State Parks and Recreation Officers.

CONTACT INFORMATION: Utah State Parks and Recreation 1594 West North Temple, Suite 116 PO Box 146001 Salt Lake City , UT 84114-6001 801-538-7220 801-538-7458 (TTY) www.stateparks.utah.gov

Utah Law Enforcement Authority

Any Utah State Park Ranger or other law enforcement officer has the authority to stop and board any vessel, whether the vessel is on water or land. If that officer determines the vessel is overloaded, not seaworthy, or the required safety equipment is not on board the vessel, that officer may prohibit the launching of the vessel or stop the vessel from operating.

Jurisdiction of Utah’s Boating Program

The Utah Boating Act and Rules of the Board of Parks and Recreation pertain to any waters within the territorial limits of the State of Utah. Since Utah is an “inland” water state (without ocean coastlines or navigable waterways directly connected to an ocean), the U.S. Coast Guard allows the State of Utah to have the authority and jurisdiction for law enforcement and boating safety program management. The U.S. Coast Guard does not provide a law enforcement program and/or presence in Utah. It provides for a minimal amount of management authority and jurisdiction with specific regards to carrying passengers for hire on motorboats on waterways shared with another state, i.e. Bear Lake, Flaming Gorge, and Lake Powell.

Other Law Enforcement

• USCG – Responsible for federal boating regulations and enforcement on all federal navigable waters throughout the United States. This includes waters shared by two or more states.

• County or City marine officers (may be fire or police departments)– responsible for enforcement within the geographical boundaries of a particular County or City.