Download Alabama Boating Laws and Regulations Book-2009 Edition:

Prohibited Operations

• Operating a vessel or personal watercraft under the age of 12.  Must be 14 years old and have a vessel license to operate a vessel or personal watercraft alone.  Click here for information on operator age and vessel license.
• Operating a vessel in such a manner and at a rate of speed as will create a hazardous wash or wake when approaching or passing another vessel or when entering or leaving a harbor or marina area.
• No person, except in jump buoys and like objects used normally in competitive and recreational skiing, shall operate or manipulate any vessel, tow rope or other device by which the direction or location of water skis, aquaplane or similar device may be affected or controlled in such a way as to cause the water skis, aquaplane or similar device or any person thereon to collide with or strike any object or person.
• Operating a vessel towing a person or persons on water skis, or an aquaplane or similar device unless there is in the vessel a person, in addition to the operator who is at least 12 years of age and is observing and is capable of communicating to the operator the progress of the person being towed or unless the vessel is equipped with a wide- angle mirror with a viewing surface of at least 500 sq. centimeters (78 square inches) and a field of vision of at least a 170 degrees.
• Operating a vessel above plane speed when persons or equipment are positioned in a manner that would obstruct the operator’s view or impair the safe operation of the vessel. (Sailboats are exempt from this section)
• Operating a vessel in violation of any established speed zone.
• Operating a vessel after April 28, 1999 which violates federal laws regulating the horsepower of the engine of the vessel.
• The exhaust of every internal combustion engine used on any vessel shall be effectively muffled by equipment so constructed and used as to muffle the noise of the exhaust in a reasonable manner. It is unlawful for any person to operate or give permission to operate any vessel powered by an engine or outboard motor in such a manner as to exceed a noise level of 86 decibels measured at a minimum distance of 15.2 meters (50 feet) from the vessel. The use of cut-outs is prohibited, except for vessels competing in a regatta or official boat race, and for such vessels while on trial runs.
• Sponsoring a regatta, race, marine parade, tournament, trial runs, or exhibition without providing adequate protection from marine traffic, interference and hazards, and obtaining a permit at least 15 days prior to the event.
• No person shall operate or give permission to operate any vessel on the waters of this state towing a person or persons on water skis, surfboard, spinners, or other similar devices unless such person or persons being towed are wearing a Type I, II, III, or Type V U. S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (PFD).
• Operating or giving permission for the operation of any vessel unless the vessel is currently registered and numbered in accordance with laws and regulations.
• No person shall operate any vessel on the waters of this state within 244 meters (800 feet) below a hydro-electric dam and/or navigational lock and dam unless each person aboard, including the operator, is wearing a U. S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device Type I, II, III, or V. Such personal flotation device will be worn and securely fastened in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions and recommendations for such personal flotation device.
• No vessel shall be loaded with passengers or cargo beyond its safe carrying capacity, taking into consideration weather and existing operation conditions.
• No person shall moor to, except in emergencies or interfere with, destroy, submerge, climb upon, damage, move or cause to be removed from its mooring, any regulatory signs, markers or aids to navigation.
• No person shall operate or give permission for the operation of a vessel which is not equipped with safety equipment required by law.