HB 733 -- Watercraft Regulations

Sponsor:  Hosmer

Currently, the Director of the Department of Revenue is
authorized to impose a penalty or cancel registration for
failure to register a documented vessel or for selling a
documented vessel without a certificate of registration.  Under
this bill, a penalty or cancellation can apply to vessels
documented prior to August 28, 1994, only if the person has
received at least a 30-day notice that registration is required.

The bill requires canoes 16 or more feet in length to have at
least one type I, II, III, or IV personal flotation device on
board for each person.  Watercraft 16 or more feet in length
must have at least one type IV throwable personal flotation
device for each person on board and each person being towed who
is not wearing one.  Watercraft less than 16 feet in length must
have at least one type I, II, or III personal flotation device
for each person on board.  Kayaks, sailboards, racing shells,
racing kayaks, and rowing sculls are exempted from some of the
flotation device requirements.  Type V personal flotation
devices may be carried in place of other devices required.
Between October 15 and March 15 on the Missouri River,
Mississippi River, Corps of Engineers lakes, Lake of the Ozarks,
and Thomas Hill Lake, occupants of any vessel less than 18 feet
in length are required to wear a type I, II, III, or V personal
flotation device when the vessel is underway or has the motor
running.

The chemical analysis of a person's urine may also be used to
determine if a person's blood alcohol content is excessive in
connection with operating watercraft.

A vessel operating within 100 feet of any other vessel or person
in the water or within 100 feet of docks or piers on any lake or
on waters of the Missouri or Mississippi rivers is restricted to
a speed no greater than a slow-no wake speed.

Any time a watercraft, except personal watercraft, is pulling a
person water skiing, tubing, or engaged in similar activity on
Missouri lakes, the Missouri River, or the Mississippi River,
the watercraft must display a red or orange flag.

No person may knowingly operate any watercraft within 100 feet
of a flagged vessel at a speed in excess of a slow-no wake
speed.  Currently, a flag must be used whenever a person leaves
a watercraft on waters of Missouri lakes, the Mississippi River,
or the Missouri River between the hours of 11 a.m. and sunset;
and operation around the watercraft is restricted to 50 yards.

Unsafe or reckless operation of a personal watercraft includes
operating at a speed greater than slow-no wake within 100 feet
of a vessel or any person in or on the water.

The Missouri State Water Patrol, with the consent of the
Director of the Department of Public Safety, may temporarily
close waters of the state to navigation or other use in response
to natural disasters when navigation or use poses an
unreasonable risk to individuals or property.

The bill also gives State Water Patrol officers arrest powers
outside of their jurisdiction in certain circumstances.

The bill contains an emergency clause.

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated September 13, 2001 at 2:03 pm