New York Navigation Law Section 102 - Rules governing the operation of motor boats.

102. Rules governing the operation of motor boats. The following rules for the operation of motor boats within such zone are hereby established: 1. No motor boat shall be operated within a harbor line at a speed exceeding five miles per hour. The waters of the Saint Lawrence river lying southerly of Wells Island and northwesterly of a line drawn from the easterly tip of Wells Island beginning at a point known as "The Chalet" and easterly and southerly of Saint Elmo Island and continuing southerly of Dewey Island, Nobby Island, and, terminating at the steamship dock, southerly of a point known as "Hope Well Hall"; and the waters of the Saint Lawrence river lying northerly of the mainland of the town of Alexandria, Jefferson county, New York, and southerly of a line drawn from the point of land beginning on the mainland known as Bonne Castle and northerly of Squaw Island to the southwesterly part of Cuba Island, shall constitute harbors for all the purposes mentioned in this article.

2. Every person operating a motor boat shall at all times operate the same in a careful and prudent manner and at such a rate of speed as not to endanger the property of another or the life or limb of any person.

3. No motor boat shall be operated in a reckless manner. Reckless operation shall include operating a motor boat in a manner which unnecessarily interferes with the free and proper use of the waters of said river, or unnecessarily endangers other craft therein, or the life or limb of any person.

4. No motor boat shall be operated during the period from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise at a greater speed than fifteen miles per hour. No motor boat shall be operated during the period from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset at a greater speed than thirty miles per hour. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any motor boat while actually competing in a race held under the auspices of a racing association, chamber of commerce or duly incorporated yacht club.

The provisions of this section are intended to supplement other provisions of this chapter and applicable regulations. The more restrictive provision should be applied if more than one law or rule could be applied to a given situation.


Last modified: February 3, 2019