the the TO MAINE BOATING LAWS AND RESPONSIBILITIES In Effect As of August 2018 Copyright © 2020 Kalkomey Enterprises, LLC and its divisions and partners, www.kalkomey.com Simple Steps to Safe Boating Statistics show that drinking alcohol while boating and not wearing a life jacket are major causes of boating accidents and fatalities. Avoid Alcohol Research has proven that one-third of the amount of alcohol that makes a person legally intoxi- cated on land can make a boater equally intoxi- cated on the water. Most people become impaired after only one drink. To minimize the risk of an accident, make the wise choice— Don’t drink and boat! Wear a Life Jacket Recent year averages show that 90% of drowning victims were not wearing a life jacket. Drownings are rare when boaters wear a proper life jacket. To make your day of boating safe and enjoyable, always carry enough life jackets for everyone on board and have everyone wear them. Copyright © 2020 Kalkomey Enterprises, LLC and its divisions and partners, www.kalkomey.com the the TO MAINE BOATING LAWS AND RESPONSIBILITIES Published by Boat Ed®, a division of Kalkomey Enterprises, LLC, 14086 Proton Road, Dallas, TX 75244, 214-351-0461. Printed in the U.S.A. Copyright © 2011–2018 by Kalkomey Enterprises, LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any process without permission in writing from Kalkomey Enterprises, LLC. Effort has been made to make this publication as complete and accurate as possible. All references contained in this publication have been compiled from sources believed to be reliable, and to represent the best current opinion on the subject. 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Copyright © 2020 Kalkomey Enterprises, LLC and its divisions and partners, www.kalkomey.com Table of Contents Boating Basics Before Going Out Personal Watercraft Watercraft Length .............4 Steering and Stopping a PWC ..18 Watercraft Capacity ............4 Engine Cut-Off Switches ......18 Fueling a Watercraft ...........4 Reboarding a Capsized PWC ...19 Float Plan ...................5 Courtesy When Encountering Pre-Departure Checklist ........5 Other Watercraft ...........19 Environmental Considerations ..20 On the Water Other PWC Considerations ....21 Encountering Other Watercraft ..6 Requirements Specific to PWC ..21 Navigation Rules ..............7 Nighttime Navigation ..........8 U.S. Aids to Navigation System (ATON) ..................9 Weather Emergencies .........14 Other Watercraft Emergencies ..16 It’s the Law! Before Going Out Equipment & Requirements Registering Your Motorboat ....22 Personal Flotation Annual Excise Tax ............23 Devices (PFDs) ............29 Other Facts About Registering and Specifically for Stand-up Transferring Ownership .....25 Paddleboards ..............30 Hull Identification Number ....27 Specifically for Skiing .........32 Who May Operate a Watercraft . 27 Navigation Lights ............33 Marine Events ...............28 Fire Extinguishers ............36 Local Regulations ............28 Ventilation Systems ...........37 License to Carry Passengers Backfire Flame Arrestors .......37 for Hire ..................28 Mufflers ....................38 Enforcement ................28 Visual Distress Signals (VDSs) ..38 Sound-Producing Devices ......40 Diver-Down Flags ............40 Copyright © 2020 Kalkomey Enterprises, LLC and its divisions and partners, www.kalkomey.com 3 On the Water Unlawful Operation ..........41 Discharge of Oil and Other Rules of Operation for Watercraft Hazardous Substances .......48 on Internal Waters .........42 Discharge of Trash ............48 Steering and Sailing Rules ......43 Obstructing Navigation ........45 Homeland Security Restrictions ...............45 Alcohol and Drugs ...........46 Watercraft Accidents ..........46 Discharge of Waste ...........47 Buckets of Trouble ................................ 49 Invasive Species.................................. 50 Operation Game Thief ............................. 50 Definitions ...................................... 51 Watercraft Restrictions on Internal Waters ............. 53 Maine Required Equipment Checklist .....Inside Back Cover Where to Find Additional Information This handbook is a guide to Maine boating laws. ■ To stay up to date on new boating laws, call the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife at: 207-287-8000 Or visit our website at: www.maine.gov/ifw ■ For federal boating laws, visit the U.S. Coast Guard’s boating safety website: www.uscgboating.org Information in this handbook does not replace what is specifically legal for boating in Maine, which is found in Maine laws and rules and federal laws. Copyright © 2020 Kalkomey Enterprises, LLC and its divisions and partners, www.kalkomey.com Before Going Out Before going out on the water, take steps to make the outing safe and enjoyable. Watercraft Length Inboards Length is measured from the tip of the bow in a straight line to the stern. This does not include outboard motors, brackets, rudders, bow attachments, or swim platforms and ladders that are not a molded part of the hull. Length Watercraft Capacity ■ Always check the capacity plate, which is usually found near the operator’s position or on the watercraft’s transom. This plate Outboards indicates the maximum weight capacity and maximum number of people that the watercraft can carry safely. ■ Personal watercraft (PWC) and some other watercraft are not required to have a capacity plate. Always Length follow the recommended capacity in the owner’s manual and on the manufacturer’s warning decal. Fueling a Watercraft Never fuel at night unless it is an emergency. If you must refuel after dark, use only electric lights. Try to refuel away from the water or on a commercial fueling ramp. Copyright © 2020 Kalkomey Enterprises, LLC and its divisions and partners, www.kalkomey.com Boating Basics 5 Float Plan Before going out on a watercraft, it is always a good idea to leave a float plan with a relative or friend, or at least with a local marina. A float plan should: ■ Describe the watercraft, including its registration number, length, make, horsepower, and engine type. ■ State where you are going, the detailed route, your planned departure time, and your expected return time. ■ Give the name, address, and telephone number of each person on board and an emergency contact. Pre-Departure Checklist You can help ensure a good time while operating your water- craft by performing this pre-departure check. ✓ Check the weather forecast for the area and time frame during which you will be operating a watercraft. ✓ Make sure that the steering and throttle controls operate properly and all lights are working properly. ✓ Check for any fuel leaks from the tank, fuel lines, and carburetor. ✓ Check the engine compartment for oil leaks. ✓ Check hose connections for leaks or cracks, and make sure hose clamps are tight. ✓ Drain all water from the engine compartment, and be sure the bilge plug is replaced and secure. ✓ Check to be sure you have a fully charged engine battery and fire extinguishers. ✓ If so equipped, make sure the engine cut-off switch and wrist lanyard are in good order. ✓ Make sure you have the required number of personal flotation devices (PFDs), and check that they are in good condition. ✓ Leave a float plan with a reliable friend or relative. Copyright © 2020 Kalkomey Enterprises, LLC and its divisions and partners, www.kalkomey.com On the Water Safe navigation on Maine waterways is everyone’s responsibility. All operators are equally responsible for taking action necessary to avoid collisions. Encountering Other Watercraft Even though no watercraft has the “right-of-way” over another watercraft, there are some rules that every operator should follow when encountering other watercraft. It is the responsibility of both operators to take the action needed to avoid a collision. The next page shows what to do when encountering another watercraft. To prevent collisions, every operator should follow the three basic rules of navigation. ■ Practice good seamanship. ■ Keep a sharp lookout. ■ Maintain a safe speed and distance. Encountering Watercraft With Limited Maneuverability ■ When operating a power-driven watercraft, you must give way to: • Any watercraft not under command, such as an anchored or disabled watercraft. • Any watercraft restricted in its ability to maneuver, such