Title 20.1, Game, Fish, Predators, and Boating

No outboard motor manufactured after January 1, 1980, may be sold or offered for commercial sale by a dealer in this state unless the motor has permanently engraved thereon by the manufacturer an identifying serial number. The serial mark must be of a permanent nature so as to pr…

No person may possess, repair, or sell an outboard motor, acquired after January 1, 1980, from which the serial number has been removed. Any person who violates this section is guilty of a class 2 noncriminal offense.

1. Every vessel must have aboard: a. If equipped with a marine toilet or other similar device for the disposition of sewage or other wastes, only that type of marine toilet equipped with a treatment device meeting standards established by the department of environmental quality. …

A motorboat may not be required to be numbered under this chapter if it is: 1. Already covered by a number, in full force and effect, awarded it pursuant to federal law or a federally approved numbering system of another state, provided such motorboat has not been within this sta…

1. An individual may not operate a motorboat or vessel, or manipulate water skis, a surfboard, or similar device in a reckless or negligent manner so as to endanger the life, limb, or property of any individual. Reckless or negligent operation of a motorboat or vessel includes we…

1. A boat operated on the waters of this state between the hours of twelve midnight and five a.m. may not produce a noise in excess of eighty-eight decibels for more than ten minutes. 2. For purposes of subsection 1, the decibel level of a boat must be measured from the shoreline…

The operator of a vessel involved in a collision, accident, or other casualty, so far as that person can do so without serious danger to that person's own vessel, crew, and passengers, shall render to other persons affected by the collision, accident, or other casualty such assis…

In accordance with any request duly made by an authorized official or agency of the United States, any information compiled or otherwise available to the department pursuant to section 20.1-13-08 must be transmitted to said official or agency.

1. An individual may not engage in barefoot skiing or manipulate any water skis, surfboard, or similar device without wearing a life preserver approved by the department, unless the individual is: a. Sixteen years of age or older and engaged in windsurfing or boardsailing; or b. …

1. The department may authorize the holding of regattas, motorboat, or other boat races, marine parades, tournaments, or exhibitions on any waters of this state. It shall adopt and may, from time to time, amend rules concerning the safety of motorboats and other vessels and perso…

1. The provisions of this chapter, and of other applicable state laws, govern the operation, equipment, numbering, and all other matters relating thereto whenever any vessel is operated on the waters of this state, or when any activity regulated by this chapter takes place thereo…

The owner of a vessel is liable for any injury or damage occasioned by the negligent operation of such vessel, whether such negligence consists of a violation of state statutes, or neglecting to observe such ordinary care and such operation as the rules of the common law require.…

Rules may be adopted pursuant to this chapter under chapter 28-32. Every game warden, sheriff's officer, or highway patrol trooper of this state has the authority to enforce the provisions of this chapter and in the exercise thereof has the authority to stop and board any vessel …

It is the policy of this state to improve boating safety and to foster greater development, use, and enjoyment of all the waters of the state by encouraging and assisting participation by the several political subdivisions of the state, the boating industry, and the boating publi…

The department shall develop and administer a comprehensive statewide boating safety program and administer state and federal funds provided to the state for the purpose of implementing and supplementing improved boating safety in this state.

No boat or associated equipment manufactured after July 1, 1973, not excluding any boat or associated equipment manufactured after July 1, 1973, whose owner is this state or a political subdivision thereof, may be used on the waters of this state unless the boat and associated eq…

Any person authorized to enforce the provisions of this chapter who observes a vessel being used without sufficient lifesaving or firefighting devices or in an overloaded or other unsafe condition as defined in department rules, and in the person's judgment such use creates an es…

The state game and fish department may require the display of seals, labels, plates, insignia, or other devices for the purpose of certifying or evidencing compliance with state or federal safety rules and standards for boats and associated equipment.

It is unlawful for any person to operate or to be a passenger on any vessel less than twenty-seven feet [8.2296 meters] in length unless all persons, ten years of age or younger present on the vessel, wear an appropriately sized and properly fastened coast guard-approved type I, …

With an application for a motorboat number and license under section 20.1-13-03 by an applicant in whose name the motorboat has not previously been licensed, the applicant shall present proof of payment of sales or use tax that was due upon acquisition or bringing the motorboat i…