Connecticut DEP - New Laws to Impact Fishing Boating

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I just received news about some changes in Connecticut that will have an impact on boating, fishing and tournaments. If you fish in CT, take a moment to read this:

State of Connecticut

Department of Environmental Protection

RE: New Boating Regulations and Boating Under the Influence Law

The Department of Environmental Protection announces some significant changes to boating regulation effective March 9, 2004.

· No person under 16 years of age, who has been issued a Certificate of Personal Watercraft Operation (CPWO) on or after March 9, 2004, may operate a personal watercraft on Connecticut waters without the onboard supervision of a person who is at least 18 years of age, who possesses a CPWO. Operators under 16 years of age, who were issued a CPWO prior to March 9, 2004 will be able to operate by themselves, although the DEP recommends that they be accompanied by a person 18 years or older who possesses a card. All out of state boaters must be 16 to operate a PWC by themselves. This was the recommendation of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, the Personal Watercraft Industry Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics with regard to age restrictions on operating PWC. Section 15-121-A15 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies

· Personal Watercraft (PWC) must be operated at “Slow-No-Wake” speed within 200 feet of shore or of a dock, pier, float or anchored or moored vessel in all waters of the State, unless the PWC is approaching the float, dock or shore to enable a water skier to take off or land. Prior to this, the 200-foot distance applied only in lakes and ponds. Section 15-121-A15

· The terms “Six-Miles-Per-Hour” and “Steerage Speed” in Connecticut waters have been replaced with the nationally recognized term “Slow-No-Wake”. “Slow-No-Wake” has been defined to mean that a vessel shall not produce more than a minimum wake and shall not attain speeds greater than 6 miles per hour over the ground unless a higher minimum speed is necessary to maintain steerageway when traveling with a strong current. In no case shall the wake produced by the vessel be such that it creates a danger of injury to persons, or will damage vessels or structures of any kind. The only place “Steerage Speed” will continue to be enforced is within 100 feet of markers placed to designate a restricted swim area or boat access area which has been authorized by the Commissioner of Environmental Protection. Section 15-121-A1(j)

· Requests for a duplicate Safe Boating Certificate or Certificate of Personal Watercraft Operation because of marriage or divorce will be processed free of charge.

Section 15-140-f-4

· Boaters may begin to see the Federally approved alternately flashing red and yellow light on Connecticut vessels used for public safety activities, including fire boats. While the light does not convey any special operating privileges, it does identify the boat as being used for public safety activities. Section 15-121-A18

· Anyone planning to discharge pyrotechnic displays (fireworks) over state waters must get a marine event permit from the DEP Boating Division. Applications may be obtained by calling the DEP Boating Division at (860) 434-8638 or online at www.dep.state.ct.us/rec/boating/index.htm. Anyone applying for a marine event or regatta permit must now apply 30 days in advance. Section 15-121-A6

· It is illegal to consume any alcoholic liquor at a state boat launch.

Section 26-16-1(p)

· It is illegal to fish at a state boat launch when fishing interferes with boating activities. Section 26-16-1(q)

· It is illegal to leave a boat unattended at a state boat launch when not actively launching or retrieving the boat. Section 26-16-1(k)

· The DEP has established a new speed zone on the Connecticut River, which combines existing restricted areas into one zone, from navigation aid #143, just south of the Charter Oak Bridge, north to the rail road bridge in Hartford.

Section 15-121-B15(7)

· It is illegal to bathe, swim, snorkel or SCUBA dive from a state boat launch.

Section 26-16-1(r)

· The speed limit for Mansfield Hollow Lake, Mansfield, is 8 mph.

Section 15-121-B15n

· Electric motors are permitted on Crystal Lake, Middletown and Messerschmidt’s Pond, Deep River/Westbrook. Section 15-121-B16

· Buoys are no longer needed to delineate the “no-water skiing” areas for Beach Pond, Voluntown and Pachaug Pond, Griswold. On Beach Pond, no person shall water ski in the narrow area from the dam east 800 feet to the mouth of the narrow area. On Pachaug Pond, no person shall water ski in the narrow area from the dam 1,000 feet southeast to the mouth of the narrow area. Section 15-121-B16e(1)

· Within the area of Lattin’s Cove on Candlewood Lake, Danbury, buoys are no longer needed to delineate the restricted speed zone. No person shall operate a boat in excess of Slow-No-Wake from the south end of the cove, northerly for 2,500 feet.

Section 15-121-B15a

· Wing-In-Ground (WIG) effect vessels operated for recreational purposes must get approval from the Commissioner of the DEP before operating in Connecticut waters or USCG Captain of the Port for commercial or research operations. A WIG is a vessel that is capable of operating completely above the surface of the water on a dynamic cushion created by aerodynamic lift due to the ground effect between the vessel and the water surface. Section 15-121-A10

The DEP would also like to remind boaters of two laws that passed October 1, 2003.

· It is illegal to transport a vessel or trailer used to transport a vessel in the state without inspecting the vessel for the presence of vegetation and properly removing and disposing of the vegetation. The penalty is a violation, which requires a court appearance, and a fine of up to $100. Public Act 03-136

· The laws for boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs have been amended to mirror motor vehicle law. The new legal Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) level for intoxication is 0.08%. If you are under 21 years old, the legal level is 0.02%. The penalty for a first violation may include a fine of up to $1,000, one (1) year suspension of your boating privileges and 6 months (at least 48 hours which cannot be suspended) in jail or be suspended with probation requiring 100 hours community service. Penalties for subsequent arrests within 10 years result in increased fines, jail time and loss of boating privileges. Penalties for refusal to submit to a chemical test are more substantial than failing the test. Public Act 03-244

These regulations and laws have been implemented to increase safety on Connecticut’s waters and to minimize environmental damages that can be associated with boating practices.

For more information contact Eleanor Mariani, DEP Boating Division at (860) 434-8638 or at [email protected]