Title 79A, PUBLIC RECREATIONAL LANDS

(1) Whenever the operator of a vessel is arrested for a violation of RCW 79A.60.040, the arresting officer, or another officer acting at the arresting officer's direction, has authority to impound the vessel as provided in this section. (2) This section is not intended to limit o…

(1) When the death of any person ensues within three years as a proximate result of injury proximately caused by the operating of any vessel by any person, the operator is guilty of homicide by watercraft if he or she was operating the vessel: (a) While under the influence of int…

(1) "Serious bodily injury" means bodily injury which involves a substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any part or organ of the body. (2) A person is guilty of assault by watercraft if he or she operates an…

Any operator of a vessel who willfully fails to stop when requested or signaled to do so by a person reasonably identifiable as a law enforcement officer is guilty of a gross misdemeanor. [ 1990 c 235 s 1. Formerly RCW 88.12.035, 88.12.110, and 88.08.070.]

Any operator of a vessel who willfully fails or refuses to immediately bring the vessel to a stop and who operates the vessel in a manner indicating a wanton or willful disregard for the lives or property of others while attempting to elude a pursuing law enforcement vessel, afte…

(1) Every law enforcement officer of this state and its political subdivisions has the authority to enforce this chapter. Law enforcement officers may enforce recreational boating rules adopted by the commission. Such law enforcement officers include, but are not limited to, coun…

In addition to the equipment standards prescribed under this chapter, the commission shall adopt rules specifying equipment standards for vessels. Except where the violation is classified as a misdemeanor under this chapter, violation of any equipment standard adopted by the comm…

An operator or owner who endangers a vessel, or the persons on board the vessel, by showing, masking, extinguishing, altering, or removing any light or signal or by exhibiting any false light or signal, is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable as provided in RCW 9.92.030. [ 1993 c …

(1) All motor-propelled vessels shall be equipped and maintained with an effective muffler that is in good working order and in constant use. For the purpose of this section, an effective muffler or underwater exhaust system does not produce sound levels in excess of ninety decib…

(1) The commission shall adopt rules providing for its inspection and approval of the personal flotation devices that may be used to satisfy the requirements of this chapter and governing the manner in which such devices shall be used. The commission shall prescribe the different…

If a vessel does not contain the safety equipment required under this chapter and the rules of the commission, and the operator is not the owner of the vessel but is operating the vessel with the express or implied permission of the owner, then either the owner or the operator, o…

(1) No person may operate or permit the operation of a vessel on the waters of the state without a personal flotation device on board for each person on the vessel. Each personal flotation device shall be in serviceable condition, of an appropriate size, and readily accessible. (…

(1) The purpose of this section is to promote safety in water skiing on the waters of Washington state, provide a means of ensuring safe water skiing and promote the enjoyment of water skiing. (2) No vessel operator may tow or attempt to tow a water skier on any waters of Washing…

(1) A person shall not load or permit to be loaded a vessel with passengers or cargo beyond its safe carrying ability or carry passengers or cargo in an unsafe manner taking into consideration weather and other existing operating conditions. (2) A person shall not operate or perm…

(1) A person shall not operate a personal watercraft unless each person aboard the personal watercraft is wearing a personal flotation device approved by the commission. Except as provided for in RCW 79A.60.020, a violation of this subsection is a civil infraction punishable unde…

(1) The operator of a vessel involved in a collision, accident, or other casualty, to the extent the operator can do so without serious danger to the operator's own vessel or persons aboard, shall render all practical and necessary assistance to persons affected by the collision,…

(1) All reports made to the commission pursuant to RCW 79A.60.200 and 79A.05.310 shall be without prejudice to the person who makes the report and shall be for the confidential usage of governmental agencies, except as follows: (a) Statistical information which shall be made publ…

Law enforcement authorities, fire departments, or search and rescue units of any city or county government shall provide to the commission a report, prepared by the local government agency regarding any boating accident occurring within their jurisdiction resulting in a death or …

Any person taking up any vessel found adrift, and out of the custody of the owner, in waters of this state, shall forthwith notify the owner thereof, if to him or her known, or if upon reasonable inquiry he or she can ascertain the name and residence of the owner, and request suc…

Such notice as is required by RCW 79A.60.230 shall be given personally, or in writing; if in writing, it shall be served upon the owner, or may be sent by mail to the post office where such owner usually receives his or her letters. Such notice shall inform the party where the ve…

(1) In all cases where the notice required by RCW 79A.60.230 is not given personally, it shall be the duty of the taker-up to post up at the post office nearest the place where such vessel may be taken up, a written notice of the taking up of such vessel. The written notice shall…

Every person taking up any vessel so found adrift, and giving the notice herein required, shall be entitled to receive from the owner claiming the property, a reasonable compensation for his or her time, services, expenses, and risk in taking up said property, and take notice of …

In case the parties cannot agree on the amount to be paid the taker-up, or the ownership, and the sum claimed is less than one thousand dollars, the owner may file a complaint, setting out the facts, and the judge, on hearing, shall decide the same with a jury, or not, and in the…

In case the taker-up shall use the vessel, more than is necessary to put it into a place of safety, he or she shall be liable to the owner for such use, and for all damage; and in case it shall suffer injury from his or her neglect to take suitable care of it, he or she shall be …

In case such vessel is of less value than one hundred dollars, and is not claimed within three months, the taker-up may apply to a district judge of the district where the property is, who, upon being satisfied that due notice has been given, and that the owner cannot, with reaso…

The provisions of RCW 79A.60.230 through 79A.60.290 do not apply to vessels secured pursuant to chapter 79A.65 RCW. [ 2000 c 11 s 103; 1994 c 51 s 8. Formerly RCW 88.12.227.]

The purpose of RCW 79A.60.440 through 79A.60.480 is to further the public interest, welfare, and safety by providing for the protection and promotion of safety in the operation of vessels carrying passengers for hire on the whitewater rivers of this state. [ 2000 c 11 s 104; 1993…

(1) No person shall act in the capacity of a paid whitewater river outfitter, or advertise in any newspaper or magazine or any other trade publication, or represent himself or herself as a whitewater river outfitter in the state, without first obtaining a whitewater river outfitt…

Except as provided in RCW 79A.60.480, the commission of a prohibited act or the omission of a required act under RCW 79A.60.430 through 79A.60.480 constitutes a misdemeanor, punishable as provided under RCW 9.92.030. [ 2000 c 11 s 106; 1997 c 391 s 3; 1993 c 244 s 27. Formerly RC…

(1) While carrying passengers for hire on whitewater rivers in this state, the licensed whitewater river outfitter shall comply with the following requirements at the beginning of every trip: (a) If using inflatable vessels, use only vessels with three or more separate air chambe…

(1) No person may operate any vessel carrying passengers for hire on whitewater rivers in a manner that interferes with other vessels or with the free and proper navigation of the rivers of this state. (2) Every operator of a vessel carrying passengers for hire on whitewater rive…

(1) Whitewater river outfitters and guides on any trip carrying passengers for hire on whitewater rivers of the state shall not allow the use of alcohol during the course of a trip on a whitewater river section in this state. (2) Any vessel carrying passengers for hire on any whi…

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, vessels on whitewater rivers proceeding downstream have the right-of-way over vessels proceeding upstream. (2) In all cases, vessels not under power proceeding downstream on whitewater rivers have the right-of-way over mot…

Whitewater river sections include but are not limited to: (1) Green river above Flaming Geyser state park; (2) Klickitat river above the confluence with Summit creek; (3) Methow river below the town of Carlton; (4) Sauk river above the town of Darrington; (5) Skagit river above B…

(1) The department of licensing may issue a whitewater river outfitter's license to an applicant who submits a completed application, pays the required fee, and complies with the requirements of this section. (2) An applicant for a whitewater river outfitter's license shall make …

The department of licensing may adopt and enforce such rules, including the setting of fees, as may be consistent with and necessary to implement RCW 79A.60.480. The fees must approximate the cost of administration. The fees must be deposited in the business and professions accou…

Within five days after conviction for any of the provisions of RCW 79A.60.430 through 79A.60.480, the court shall forward a copy of the judgment to the department of licensing. After receiving proof of conviction, the department of licensing may sanction the license of any whitew…

The commission shall adopt rules that designate as whitewater rivers all sections of rivers with at least one class III rapid or greater, as described in the American Whitewater Affiliation's whitewater safety code. The commission is authorized to consider the imposition of a sch…

The uniform regulation of business and professions act, chapter 18.235 RCW, governs unlicensed practice, the issuance and denial of licenses, and the discipline of licensees under this chapter. [ 2002 c 86 s 329.] Notes: Effective dates—2002 c 86: See note following RCW 18.08.340…

The parks and recreation commission is hereby directed to develop and adopt rules establishing a uniform waterway marking system for waters of the state not serviced by such a marking system administered by the federal government. Such system shall be designed to provide for stan…

The legislature finds that the waters of Washington state provide a unique and valuable recreational resource to large and growing numbers of boaters. Proper stewardship of, and respect for, these waters requires that, while enjoying them for their scenic and recreational benefit…

The commission, in consultation with the departments of ecology, fish and wildlife, natural resources, social and health services, and the Puget Sound partnership shall conduct a literature search and analyze pertinent studies to identify areas which are polluted or environmental…

(1) A marina which meets one or more of the following criteria shall be designated by the commission as appropriate for installation of a sewage pumpout or dump unit: (a) The marina is located in an environmentally sensitive or polluted area; or (b) The marina has one hundred twe…

(1) Marinas and boat launches designated as appropriate for installation of a sewage pumpout or dump unit under RCW 79A.60.530 shall be eligible for funding support for installation of such facilities from funds specified in RCW 79A.60.590. The commission shall notify owners or o…

The department of ecology, in consultation with the commission, shall, for initiation of the statewide program only, develop criteria for the design, installation, and operation of sewage pumpout and dump units, taking into consideration the ease of access to the unit by the boat…

The commission shall undertake a statewide boater environmental education program concerning the effects of boat wastes. The boater environmental education program shall provide informational materials on proper boat waste disposal methods, environmentally safe boat maintenance p…