HB 1872 -- WATERCRAFT REGULATIONS (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 Missouri River, or
the Mississippi 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.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated October 11, 2002 at 9:02 am