No Wake Laws

[bboswell]

Buddy of mine had a bit of a confrontation with a local property owner over making a wake in a boat channel that is not marked as "no wake" and is also open to the open bay (meaning not protected shoreline)

Land owner claimed a law stating no wake within 50' of any structure..... While I don't think that was breached I can't even find a reference to this law or regulation on TPWD or USCG.

Can anyone shed some light on this?

[cmh2007]

I haven't ever heard that and I'm a professional mariner. The only thing I can think of is that the mariner I'd responsible for managing his wake and is responsible for any damages caused by his wake.

[BrandonA]

Not sure of the law but my question is why would a person wake a person regardless. 50 ft is to close marker or not. Are you in that big of a hurry. And hell if you are stay on plane and go. Don't slow down.

[UltraMax]

I don't know where the law is but I believe that is correct. No wake within 50' of any structure.

[d_e_smith]

No hazardous wake for boats, 50' of structure for PWC.

[bboswell]

No Wake Laws

Not sure of the law but my question is why would a person wake a person regardless. 50 ft is to close marker or not. Are you in that big of a hurry. And hell if you are stay on plane and go. Don't slow down.

No hurry or disregard intended.

Very shallow bay with a boat lane that runs from entrance of our condo's along the shore and joins a boat lane that goes to the deeper part of the bay. These lanes are dredged deeper than the adjoining bay flats but have become silted in to where a std V-hull boat (like my buddy's) must be on plane to avoid being stuck.

Once you hit the "sea gates" at the entrance to the private harbor for the condo's it is clearly marked "no wake" and this has been followed.

I am an avid "no wake" enforcer and the only reason I personally avoided this particular confrontation is because my flats boat will run the skinny bay directly to the sea gates without using the dredged channel.

[Atfulldraw]

The only one I know of is --- no operation of jet skis within 50' of any structure

All operational rules for regular motorboats also apply to PWC.

In addition to those requirements, it is unlawful for any person to:

operate PWC at night (sunset until sunrise);

operate PWC within 50 feet of another PWC, motorboat, vessel, platform, person, object, or shore except at headway speed without creating a swell or wake (Headway speed = Slow, idle speed, or speed only fast enough to maintain steerage); and

operate a PWC and jump the wake of another vessel recklessly or unnecessarily close.

[bboswell]

The only one I know of is --- no operation of jet skis within 50' of any structure

Only one I can find as well.

[Atfulldraw]

It's been twenty five years since I studied for the 6-pack though....

I may have forgotten a few things

[denowt]

What sort of "structure" does the complainer have in this shallow water?

IMO, if he has to be on plane to avoid getting stuck, then it's not much of a "boat channel" and the complainer can pound sand, or better yet, dredge the sand out of the channel.

Regardless, if there's not a "no wake" bouy/sign, then I wouldn't worry about it.
Or better yet, call the local game warden for clarification.
If your buddy is in the right, then file a fisherman harassment claim against the complainer.

[manwitaplan]

This seems to be a gray area. I have read where cities can apply their own ordinance like Austin did here :

http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=228719

I also read where Galveston has some city ordinance for Offats bayou.

We had a game warden on the San Jac river below the **** tell us that a few of the "no wake" zones were bogus and she could not write tickets because they were put their by individuals and not recognized by the State or Coast Guard.

Bottom line is in the end the boat owner is responsible for any damage caused by their wake but proving it will be a tough chore.

Good Luck and keep us posted.

[bboswell]

This seems to be a gray area. I have read where cities can apply their own ordinance like Austin did here :

http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=228719

I also read where Galveston has some city ordinance for Offats bayou.

We had a game warden on the San Jac river below the **** tell us that a few of the "no wake" zones were bogus and she could not write tickets because they were put their by individuals and not recognized by the State or Coast Guard.

Bottom line is in the end the boat owner is responsible for any damage caused by their wake but proving it will be a tough chore.

Good Luck and keep us posted.

Thanks for the information that pretty much confirms what I thought

There will be no update. We are on vacation and not interested in dealing with confrontation the rest of the week.

[npe001]

I need to renew my captains license

[b.latiolais]

The only one I know of is --- no operation of jet skis within 50' of any structure

Had a game warden at the house a couple of days ago and he told us the same thing. There are not really "No Wake" laws. More so of what you stattd about the 50' from structure etc...

[glen]

Law states PWC and 50 feet. However cities and lakes can have their own ordinances. It is stated that you are responsible for your wake so any and all damages caused by the boat captain are his responsibility. So if he has a boat tied up and your buddy blows through and his boat is damaged your buddy has violated the law. If you guys want me to post a quick list of common boating laws I will Thursday when I go back to work.