1998 Minnesota Statutes

     86B.311 General rules for operation. 

    Subdivision 1.    Safe operation.  A person may not 
 operate or allow the operation of a watercraft or use a device 
 relating to the use of the watercraft: 

    (1) in a careless or heedless manner in disregard of the 
 rights or safety of others; 

    (2) in a reckless or grossly negligent manner that causes 
 personal injury to another or damage to the property of another; 

    (3) upon the waters of this state without the equipment 
 required by this chapter and the rules adopted under this 
 chapter; or 

    (4) that is loaded with passengers or cargo beyond the 
 watercraft's safe carrying capacity or is equipped with a motor 
 or other propulsion machinery beyond the watercraft's safe power 
 capacity.  

    Subd. 2.    Obstruction to navigation.  A person may not 
 operate a watercraft in a manner that obstructs or tends to 
 obstruct normal and ordinary navigation on the waters of this 
 state.  

    Subd. 3.    Unauthorized mooring prohibited.  A person 
 may not moor, attach, or hold in any manner a watercraft to a 
 buoy or any other marking device or guide placed in the waters 
 of this state pursuant to lawful authority.  This subdivision 
 does not apply to a mooring buoy.  

    Subd. 4.    Swimming or bathing areas.  A person may not 
 operate a watercraft within a water area that has been marked 
 off or set aside as a swimming or bathing area as prescribed by 
 the commissioner's rules.  

    Subd. 5.    Riding on gunwales or decking.  A person may 
 not ride or sit and a person may not operate a motorboat while a 
 person is riding or sitting on the starboard or port gunwales, 
 the decking over the bow, or transom of a motorboat while 
 underway unless the motorboat is provided with adequate guards 
 or railing to prevent passengers from falling overboard.  

    HIST: 1990 c 391 art 9 s 14