reprinted from: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Bureau of Law Enforcement

• Ensure the right of all persons to safely use, share and enjoy Wisconsin's natural resources through firm, fair and effective law enforcement.
  
  
• Educate and inform citizens of the responsible use of Wisconsin's natural resource and the application of natural resource laws.
  
  
• In partnership with other, educate the public in the safe and responsible use of boats.
  
  
• Lead the citizens of Wisconsin in maintaining the tradition of ethical use and stewardship of our natural resource.

Wisconsin's Personal Watercraft Law

Boat Registration

Exemptions from Registration (Watercraft)

Boat Certificates of Number

• How to apply: Requests for boat registration and/or titling are to be submitted on DNR forms available at DNR field stations, marinas, and county clerks' offices.
  
  
• Expiration: Certificate of number or decal are issued for a two year period commencing April 1 and expiring on March 31.
  
  
• Transfers: Transfer of the ownership of a boat terminates the certificate of number and title. Upon receipt of the required fee and application, the Department will issue a new certificate of number and/or title for the boat. The number and title will remain with the boat unless expired.

• Duplicates: Duplicate certificates, title, and decals shall be issued for a fee upon the receipt of a proper application stating that the original certificate, titles or decals have been lost or destroyed.
  
  
• Display of Identification Number and Decals: Upon being issued certificate of number and decal, the owner of a boat shall display the issued number on each side of the forward half of the boat. Once the certificate of number is received, the owner of the boat must purchase adhesive number and letters or paint the numbers and letters on the boat using block letters not less than 3" high and in a contrasting color to the surface on which they are applied. Display the registration number with at least a 2" space or hyphen between the letters and center 4 numbers. It is the responsibility of the owner to be sure that the registration number is clearly visible and maintained in legible condition at all times. Place the registration decal (indicates the date through which the registration is valid) in line with and 3" from the registration number, toward the stern. In Wisconsin, registration expires on March 31 of the year shown on the decal.

Sailboat numbers and decals shall be affixed in the same manner as outlined above.
Federally documented boats shall display the decals on each side of the name on the transom.
It is unlawful for any other number or decals to be painted attached or otherwise displayed on either side of the forward half of any registration boat.
It is unlawful to operate or use any registered boat without having the certificate of the number available for inspection at all times on such boat.
A boat owner who changes residence shall within 15 days notify the DNR of both the old and the new address.

• Transfer of Ownership or Abandonment: The Purchaser of a boat shall within 15 days and prior to operate make application on forms furnished by the DNR. The previous owner's certificate and title shall accompany the application.
  
  
• DEALER NUMBERS MAY NOT BE USED ON BOATS FOR HIRE OR FOR PERSONAL USE.
  
  
• It is unlawful to transfer the number designated by the DNR from one boat to another.

Lighting Equipment Requirements

• PWC are specifically prohibited from operating between sunset and sunrise.
  
  
• White lights must be visible for 2 miles on a dark, clear night. Combination or colored lights must be visible foe 1 mile.
  
  
• All combination lamps shall be red to port and green to starboard and also fixed that each side of the combined lamp throws a light from directly ahead to 2 points abaft the beam on its respective sides.
  
  
• Every moored, anchored and drifting boat and other fixed and floating structures, outside of designated anchorages or beyond 200 feet from the shoreline shall be lighted from sunset to sunrise by a white light visible all around the horizon.

• Auxiliary: Sail Alone-Auxiliary equipped sailboats operating under sail alone under 26 feet in length are required to display combination red and green lights forward and carry ready at hand a flashlight or lantern showing a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to avoid collision.

• Auxiliary: Sail Alone-Auxiliary equipped sailboats operating under sail alone under 26 feet in length are required to display separate ten point sidelights visible 1 mile and carry ready at hand a flashlight or lantern showing a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to avoid collision.
  
  
  
• All other boats propelled by a muscular power and every sailboat not equipped with a motor underway from sunset to sunrise shall carry ready at hand a flashlight or lantern showing a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to avoid collision.

Equipment Requirements

• Fire Extinguisher: It is unlawful to operate a motorboat, except outboards of open construction, without fire extinguisher of the size, type and number specified.

• Flame Arrester: It is unlawful to operate a gasoline powered inboard boat unless the carburetor is filled with a Coast Guard approved flame arrester.
  
  
• Bilge Ventilator: It is unlawful to operate a boat, except those of open construction, using a liquid volatile fuel unless equipped with an efficient natural or mechanical bilge ventilator.
  
  
• Toilets: It is unlawful to maintain or operate any boat equipped with a toilet on the inland or outlying waters of this state unless such toilet is sealed or otherwise rendered inoperative or meets the specifications of the Department of Industry, Labor and Human Relations. Boat toilet requirements may be obtained from the DNR.
  
  
• Boat Battery: It shall be unlawful to operate a motor driven boat equipped with a storage battery unless such battery is secured against shifting. Such battery shall be equipped nonconductive terminal shields to prevent accidental shorting of battery terminals. Both positive and negative terminals need to be covered. (Covered battery box with strap works best.)
  
  
  
• Mufflers: No person may operate a motorboat without a muffler or one which exceeds noise level standards (86 db on "A" weighted scale) with a muffler.
  
  
• Capacity Plates: The majority of boats manufactured or offered for sale in this state shall have affixed thereto a capacity plate. Never exceed the maximum limits of your boat. To do so is to endanger your life and that of you passengers. It is also accepted evidence that you are operating your boat unlawfully.

Personal Floatation Devices-PFD's

• Boats: It is unlawful to operate any boat (including inflatables and innertubes) unless at least one of the following type PFD's of the proper size is available for each person on board:
  
  Type I = Wearable Type PFD's
  Type II = Wearable Type PFD's
  Type III = Wearable Type PFD's
  Type V = Must be worn to be legal when boat is underway

• Personal Watercraft (PWC): It is unlawful to operate a PWC unless each person is wearing a type I, II, III, or type V personal flotation device.
  
  
• Wind Surfers: Are not required to obey the PWC law, but are encouraged to do so.

''Approved'' Personal Flotation Devices-PFD's

Type I-PFD-Life Perserver- This is a jacket type worn like a coat and designed to turn an unconscious person's face up in the water.

Type II-PFD-Buoyant Vest- Horse collar type and worn like a bib.

Type III-PFD-Special Purpose Device- Skivests, fisherman's vest, float-coats.

Type IV-PFD-Buoyant Cushion, Ring Buoy- These are throwable devices and are not designed to be worn. They must be immediately available.

Type V-PFD-Special Use Device- A Coast Guard approved Type V PFD may be carried in lieu of a Type I-III PFD, if the Type V device is approved for the activity in which the craft is being used. (Note: Type V devices are approved for specific and restricted uses and may have to be worn to be approved.)

Capsizing and falls overboard are the leading cause of boating fatalities in Wisconsin.

Traffic Rules

• Meeting: When 2 motorboats are approaching each other from head on, and head or so nearly so as to involve risk of collision, each boat shall bear to the right and pass the other boat of ins left side.

• Right-of-Way: When 2 motorboats are approaching each other entirely by sail or musclepower are proceeding in such a direction as to involve risk of collision, the motor boat shall yield the right-of-way.
  
  
• Overtaking: A boat may overtake and pass another boat on either side if it can be done with safety, but the overtaking boat shall always yield the right-of-way to the boat being overtaken.
  A boat granted the right-of-way shall maintain its course and speed, unless to do so would possibly result in a collision.

Speed Restrictions

• It is unlawful to operate a motorboat at a speed that is greater than reasonable and prudent under the existing conditions. The speed shall be so controlled as to avoid colliding with any object, person or conveyance lawful in or on the water.
  
  
• Motorboats may not be operated at speed greater than "slow-no-wake' on lakes 50 acres or less having public access, except when such lakes serve as thoroughfares between 2 or more navigable lakes.
  
  
• It is unlawful to operate a motorboat within 100 feet of any dock, raft, pier, or buoyed restricted area on any lake at a speed in excess of "slow-no-wake".

Age Restrictions

• No person under the age of 10 years may operate a motorboat.
  
  
• No person under 12 may operate a personal watercraft (PWC).
  
  
• Persons 10 years but less than 12 years of age mat operate a motorboat (except PWC) only if they are accompanied by a parent or guardian or a person at least 18 years of age designated by the parent or guardian.
  
  
• Persons at least 12 but less than 16 years of age may operate a motorboat only if they are accompanied by a parent or guardian or a person at least 18 years of age designated by the parent or guardian (except PWC) or if they have successfully completed a Department of Natural Resources prescribed Boating Safety Course and possess a safety certificate issued by the Department or state of their residency.
  
  
• No person under 16 may rent a personal watercraft.
  
  
• Persons at least 12 but less then 16 years of age may operate a personal watercraft if they have successfully completed a DNR prescribed Boating Safety Course and possess a safety certificate issued by the Department or state of their residency. Parental accompaniment may not be substituted for possession of a valid DNR safety certificate.
  
  
• Parents or guardians are punishable by law for knowingly allowing unauthorized persons to operate a motorboat.
  Note: ''Accompanied,'' for the purposes of these regulations, means ''aboard the same boat.''

Prohibited Methods of Operation

Number of Drinks

Key:
Impaired (may be under the influence)
Under the influence
Absoluttely DO NOT operate

It is unlawful:

• To operate a motorboat or use waterskis, aquaplane or similar device while under the influence of an intoxicant or a controlled substance.
  
  
• To fail to stop for duly authorized patrol boat displaying a blue light or requesting you to stop by any other method.
  
  
• To operate or use any boat, or manipulate any water skis, aquaplane or similar device in a careless, negligent, or reckless manner so as to endanger his life, property or the life, property or person of another.
  
  
• For any person in charge or control of a boat to authorize or permit the boat to be operated by any person who is knowingly physically or mentally incapable of operating suck boat under the prevailing circumstances.
  
  
• While operating a motorboat to create a hazardous wake or wash when approaching or passing another boat. An operator is liable for damages caused to another by the wake or wash.
  
  
• To operate a motorboat repeatedly in a circuitous course within 200 feet around any other boat or around any person who is swimming, if such circuitous course is within 200 feet of such boat or swimmer.
  
  
• For any boat or water skier to operate or approach closer than 100 feet top any skin diver's flag or any swimmer unless the boat is part of the skin diving operation or is accompanying the swimmer.
  
  
• While operating a motorboat to allow any person to ride or sit on the gunwales, tops of seat, backs or sides or on the decking over the bow while under way, unless such person is inboard of guards or railings provided on the boat to prevent passengers from being lost overboard, except for anchoring, mooring or cast off.
  
  
• It is further recommended that on fishing boats (i.e. bass boats etc.) with carpeted decks, no person remain on the carpeted deck when the boat is moving faster than idle speed. Use only permanently attached, true seats.
  
  
• To operate a boat within an clearly marked in accordance with law by buoys or some other distinguishing device as a bathing or swimming area or other restricted use area, except in the case of emergency aids or regulatory markers.
  
  
• To move, remove, molest, tamper with, destroy or attempt to destroy or moor or fasten a boat (except to mooring buoys) to any navigation aids or regulatory markers.
  
  
• To anchor, place, affix, or abandon any unattended boat, raft, float or similar structure in the traveled portion of any river, channel, or in any traffic lanes established and legally marked, so that to prevent, impede or interfere with safe passage of any other boat through the same.
  
  
• To operate any boat beyond the safe carrying capacity of passengers or cargo or to equip a boat with propulsion in excess of its safe power capacity, taking into consideration existing operating conditions.
  
  
• To unnecessarily sound by sound-producing device on any boat or to use a siren except on authorized patrol boats.
  
  
• To operate contrary to any legally posted municipal boating ordinances.

Water Skiing

• To operate a motorboat having in tow a person on water skis, aquaplane or similar device other than in a careful and prudent manner and at a reasonable and safe distance from persons or proerty.
  
  
• To engage in water skiing, aquaplane or similar activity from sunset to sunrise.
  
  
• To operate a motorboat towing a person whether or not water skis, aquaplane, parasail, or similar device, unless there is in the boat a competent person in addition to the operator in a position to observe in fact, and must observe the person being towed and relay signals to the operator.
  
  
  
• To operate a motorboat towing persons engage in water skiing, aquaplane, parasail, or similar activity within 100 feet of any occupied anchored boat, any personal watercraft, or marked swimming area or public boat landing, except where pick-up and drop areas established and marked with regulatory markers.
  
  
• To operate a personal watercraft towing a person on water skiing, aquaplane or similar divice unless the personal watercraft is designed to seat at least 3 persons.
  
  
• For a person engaged in water skiing, aquaplane or similar activity to get within 100 feet of a personal watercraft or allow the tow rope while in use to get within 100 feet of a personal watercraft.
  Note: Local ordinances may be mare restrictive. Inquire through local boat patrol or municipality.

Skin Diving

• It is unlawful to engage in underwater skin diving or swimming with use of swimming fins outside a marked swim area or beyond 150 feet from shore unless the location of such swimming or diving is marked by a diver's flag.
  
  
• It is unlawful to scuba dive outside a marked swim area unless the location of the scuba diving is marked by a diver's flag.
  
  
• Except in case of emergency, anyone engaged in such swimming or diving shall not rise to the surface outside of 50 feet from diver's flag.
  
  
• The diver's flag shall not be less than 12 inches high and 15 inches long, display one diagonal white stripe 3 inches wide on a red background and must be clearly apparent at a distance of 100 yards.
  
  
• No person diving or swimming shall interfere with someone engaged in fishing.
  
  
• No person shall dive or swim in any area established navigation lane.

Accidents

• The operator of any boat involved in a boating accident must render assistance to the persons affected.
  
  Accident Reporting-When a boating accident results in death or injury to any person or total damage in excess of $500 to boats or other property, every operator of a involved in such accident shall without delay and the quickest means available, give notice of the accident to a conservation warden or local law enforcement officer and shall file a written report within 10 days to the DNR on DNR form 4100-20 to DNR-Boat Safety, Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707.
  
  When the operator of a boat is physically incapable of making the report, and there is another occupant shall make such a report on form 4100-20, "Operator Boating Accident Report," which is available from law enforcement agencies.

Distress Signal Flag

Throwing Refuse in Waters

• It is unlawful to leave, deposit, place, or throw on the waters, ice, shores of water or upon public or private property any cans, bottles, debris, refuse, solid waste material or fish parts.

Waterway Markers

• Placement of all buoys or markers: It is unlawful to place any aids, markers or buoys on shore or in the waters of this state unless authorized by the political subdivision or municipality having jurisdiction. They in turn must obtain the necessary approvals from the Department of Natural Resources and any Federal Agencies concerned before the aid is placed.

Channel Marker Buoys

• All-green and all-red companion buoys indicate that the boating channel is between them. In flowing water, the red buoys is on the right side of the channel when facing upstream. The boating channel lies between these buoys.
  
  
• All White Buoys with Black Vertical Strips-These buoys show the center of the channel and should be passed close to on either side.
  
  
• Mooring-Buoys-These buoys shall be all white with a blue stripe mid-way between the top and the waterline. They will be spherical or ovate in shape with a minimum of 18 inches above the water-line. Authorization for placement shall be regulated the same as any other buoy, aid, or marker when placed more than 150 feet from shore.

Regulatory Buoy and Sign

• Restriction. A white buoy or sign with an orange diamond and cross means that boats must keep out of the area. Black lettering on the buoy or sign gives the reason for the restriction, for example, SWIM AREA.
  
  
• Danger. A white buoy or sign with an orange diamond warns boaters of danger-rocks, dams, rapids, etc. The source of danger will also be lettered in black. In winter, ice, hazards may also be identified with this marker in the form of a sign.
  
  
• Controlled Area. A white buoy or sign with an orange circle indicates controlled or restricted areas on the water, such as slow, minimum-wake zones. Information on the specific restrictions will be lettered in black.
  
  
• Informational. A white buoy or sign with an orange rectangle provides the boater with information or directions. Information will be in black.

Suggestions for Safety

10 Most Common Boating Violations

• 1. Failure to provide proper number of personal flotation devices.
• 2. Operating boat without valid certificate of number,
• 3. Operating boat in prohibited area, in excess of speed limit on lakes 50 acres or less, or in excess of fixed limits.
• 4. Personal Watercraft violations.
• 5. Operating motorboat while under the influence of an intoxicant, or operating motorboat with BAC of 0.1% or greater.
• 6. Operating within 100 feet of dock, raft, pier, etc.
• 7. Operating boat at night without required lights.
• 8. Failure to display registration number or decal on boat.
• 9. Failure to secure or cover storage battery.
• 10. Failure to have certificate of number on board.

The Zebra Mussel- A Boaters Concern

• DRAIN all water from your boat, trailer, bilges, live wells, coolers, buckets, engine compartments or any other areas where water may be trapped. Even small amounts of water can hold zebra mussel larvae.
  
  
• INSPECT your boat hull, prop, trailer or any other equipment and thoroughly scrape off any attached mussel. Young adults attached to boat hulls feel like grainy surface.
  
  
• FLUSH your boat, trailer and any other equipment with hot tap water above 140 degrees F. Hotter temperatures in the range of 110 to 140 F are more effective for killing zebra mussels. An alternative to hot water treatment is to disinfect live wells or other areas where water is trapped using a household bleach solution (two tablespoons of bleach per gallon of hot water). Do not put this bleach water into the lake!
  
  
• LEAVE your boat and/or equipment in a sunny location for at least 3 day before using it on inland waters. Adult zebra mussels, when deprived of a moist environment, should die. Outboard engines should be tipped up to allow cooling passages to thoroughly drain in order to prevent mussels from attaching. Another option is to flush the motor cooling system with hot water using special "Motor Muffs" available at your local marina.

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