Title 41, Water

Watercraft accidents or collisions; duty to render aid; reportable accidents; operators required to report; accident investigation; seizure of watercraft. (a) The operator of a watercraft involved in a collision, accident or other casualty, so far as he can do so without serious …

Accident report information to federal government. Upon the request of an authorized official or agency of the United States, any information compiled or otherwise available to the department pursuant to W.S. 41-13-105 shall be transmitted to the requesting official or agency.

Political subdivisions not to number watercraft. This act governs the numbering and registration of watercraft on the waters of this state. All other political subdivisions of this state are expressly prohibited from numbering watercraft in any respect.

Publication and distribution of regulations. A copy of the regulations adopted pursuant to this act, and of any amendments thereto, shall be published by the department in a convenient form and a copy shall be distributed with each registration.

Motorboat registration fee. (a) The nonrefundable and nontransferable registration fee for motorboats is: (i) Thirty dollars ($30.00) for one (1) year; or (ii) Eighty dollars ($80.00) for three (3) years. (b) In addition to the fee under subsection (a) of this section, persons re…

Disposition of registration fees. (a) Except as provided under subsection (b) of this section, all registration fees received under this act shall be deposited in the state treasury to the credit of the game and fish fund to be used for administration and enforcement of this act.…

Prohibited acts; penalties. (a) No person shall intentionally or knowingly deface, alter, remove or destroy a vessel hull identification number (HIN) or an engine or outboard motor serial number. (b) No person shall intentionally or knowingly provide false information in a report…

Provisions applicable to all watercraft in state; supplemental to federal laws and regulations. The provisions of this act shall be applicable to all watercraft operating on all of the waterways of this state. The provisions of this act shall be construed to supplement federal la…

Careless operation defined. Any person who operates any watercraft in a careless or heedless manner so as to be indifferent to the person or property of another person, or at a rate of speed greater than will permit him in the exercise of reasonable care to bring the watercraft t…

Reckless operation defined. Any person who shall operate any watercraft in such a manner as to endanger the life or limb, or damage the property of, another person, shall be guilty of the crime of reckless operation.

Operation of watercraft by intoxicated or drugged person prohibited. (a) As used in this section: (i) "Alcohol concentration" means as defined in W.S. 31-5-233(a)(i); (ii) "Controlled substance" includes: (A) Any drug or substance defined by W.S. 35-7-1002(a)(iv); (B) Any glue, a…

Operation of watercraft by person under disability prohibited. It shall be unlawful for the owner of any watercraft or any person having such in charge or in control to authorize or knowingly permit the same to be operated by any person who by reason of physical or mental disabil…

Overloading prohibited. Watercraft shall not be loaded with passengers or cargo beyond its safe carrying capacity as stated on the capacity plate and affixed to the watercraft by the manufacturer, taking into consideration weather and other existing operating conditions. Capacity…

Overpowered watercraft prohibited; horsepower rating plates; mufflers required. (a) No watercraft shall be equipped with any motor or other propulsion machinery that has a horsepower rating exceeding the maximum stated on the capacity plate approved and issued by the United State…

Riding on gunwales or bow decking prohibited; exceptions. No person operating a motorboat shall allow any person to ride or sit on either the starboard or port gunwales thereof or on the decking over the bow of the vessel while underway unless such motorboat is provided with adeq…

Buoys and markers; operation in marked restricted areas prohibited; exceptions. (a) The commission shall regulate the type and use of watercraft on the waters of the state and the placement of buoys, markers or regulatory signs necessary to provide for the safety and welfare of t…

Motorboat pulling skier to be occupied by at least 2 persons; hours of operation; use of care; exceptions. (a) No motorboat which shall have in tow or shall be otherwise assisting a person on water skis, aquaplane or similar contrivance, shall be operated or propelled in or upon …

Safety equipment required. All watercraft shall carry or be equipped with safety equipment as prescribed by commission regulation. The commission may also require every person riding on watercraft operating on specified waters to wear commission approved safety equipment.

Enforcement. (a) The game and fish department law enforcement officers and any other peace officers of the state or any of its political subdivisions otherwise authorized by law may enforce this act and rules and regulations of the commission. (b) For purposes of this section, an…

Penalties for violations; suspension of privilege to operate; operating while privilege suspended. (a) Any person who violates or fails to comply with W.S. 41-13-207 through 41-13-212, 41-13-219 or 41-13-220(b) is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than two …

Races or regattas. The commission may regulate the holding of regattas, motorboat or other boat races, marine parades, tournaments or exhibitions. It shall adopt regulations concerning the safety of motorboats and other vessels and persons thereon, either observers or participant…

Regulations. The commission shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this act.

Age of operator of motorboat. No person shall operate or be in actual physical control of a motorboat required to be numbered on the waters in this state unless he is at least sixteen (16) years of age or is accompanied by an adult. No person shall knowingly permit the operation …

Eluding an officer; emergency watercraft equipment restricted. (a) Any person operating a watercraft shall upon observing a visual or hearing an audible signal from a law enforcement officer enforcing this act and rules and regulations of the commission, bring the watercraft to a…