Boating Regulations for Inland Waters

State boating regulations for inland waters generally mirror those of the U.S. Coast Guard laws in international waters. Some states may have differing regulations, but most regulations are generally consistent from state to state.

  1. Registration

    • Boats that are propelled by oar, sail or engine, including foreign vessels, must be registered by the state in which the owner resides, according to boatus.org (see Reference 1).

    Life Jacket

    • Children must wear Coast Guard-approved Type I, II, III or V life jackets on boats 26 feet long or less, according to dnr.state.mn.us and boatingbasicsonline.com (see references 2 and 4).

    Equipment

    • Boaters must comply with the minimum federal rules to equip vessels with safety equipment, and should carry extra equipment such as a compass, charts, extra starting battery, oars or paddles, and Marine VHF radio (see Reference 1).

    Waste Disposal

    • States follow federal laws prohibiting sewage disposal in state waterways, including marinas, lakes and harbors (see Reference 1).

    Negligent Boating

    • Boat operation regulations are similar to state motor vehicle laws, which prohibit negligent or reckless operation, including buzzing or wetting other boaters (see Reference 3).

    Under the Influence

    • Boaters operating a vessel with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or 0.10, depending on the state, can be arrested, fined and jailed for operating a boat while under the influence (see references 1-4).