Marine Patrol

Marine Patrol

The Marine Patrol is responsible for answering calls for criminal activity, as well as calls to assist distressed boaters, on the lakes that fall within the jurisdiction of Garland County, including Lakes Hamilton, Ouachita and Catherine. Marine Patrol is also responsible for assisting the Dive Team in recovering evidence of crime and victims of boating accidents.

Click here to listen to Sheriff Sanders Safe Boating Tips, produced courtesy of radio station KLAZ 105.9.

ARKANSAS STATE BOATING LAWS

NEW LAW IN EFFECT FOR 2001

All motorboat and PWC operators born on or after January 1, 1986, and of legal age to operate a motorboat, must complete a state approved boating education course and carry proof, even if supervised by an adult. The course is available at www.agfc.com for $15 or call 1-800-482-9262 for a free course. Any non-resident or resident may obtain a 30 day temporary certificate. In Garland County call (501)520-5700

NOTE: The minimum fine for boating violations is $205 and is subject to change.

ALL MOTORBOATS (INCLUDING PERSONAL WATERCRAFTS) (PWC)

Boats must have one Type I, II or III (WEARABLE) PFD (personal flotation device) in serviceable condition and of proper size for each person onboard and one Type IV (throwable) PFD in each boat. Boats under 16’ are exempt from having a Type IV (throwable).
Children under 13 YOA must wear a well-fitting PFD at all times while aboard a boat. The only exceptions are when they are within the enclosed area of a houseboat, cruiser or within the railings of a party barge while the boat is stopped.
Operation of any vessel, water skis, or similar devices in a reckless or negligent manner so as to endanger the life, limb or property of any person is prohibited including but not limited to; weaving through congested vessel traffic, failure to observe the inland navigation rules of the road as implemented by the United States Coast Guard, or operating in a manner which results in collision with another vessel or object.
A motorboat must have a mirror or observer (at least 12 YOA) to tow a skier, kneeboard or any device. The skier must wear a PFD.
Persons under 12 YOA may not operate a boat (under 14 YOA for PWC) unless a person over 17 YOA is onboard to directly supervise.
It is prohibited to create hazardous wash or wake upon approaching or passing vessels.
Operation at a speed exceeding 5 MPH within 100 feet of a designated recreation area, dock, pier, raft, float, boat, dam intake structure, or other obstruction is prohibited unless a contrary speed limit is posted. The speed limit 100’ from and thru any bridge is 5 mph, posted or not.
Operators of vessels may not allow any person to ride or sit on the decking over the bow, gunwales or on the transom while underway unless there are adequate guards or railings to prevent passengers from being lost overboard. (36” minimum height – USCG standards)
Loading a Vessel beyond its safe carrying capacity as stated on the manufacturers capacity plate or overpowering a boat with a motor that exceeds the maximum safe horsepower on the capacity plate is prohibited. Persons being towed on skis or any device are counted toward the maximum capacity.
No person shall operate or give permission to operate a boat that is not properly equipped, numbered or to be operated in violation of law.
Operating a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is prohibited. A blood alcohol level of .08% establishes that the operator is under the influence. Operators who register .08% or above are subject to arrest. Any person who operates a boat on the waters of the state is consenting to a test to determine if they are intoxicated.
The operator of every vessel involved in a collision, accident, or other casualty, is required by Law to: 1) Render assistance to other persons affected. 2) Give name, address, and identification of their vessel in writing to any person injured and to the owner of any property damaged. 3) Notify the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission or local Sheriff’s Department for an officer to respond and investigate the accident. All accidents involving death, injury or property damage of $500 or more must be reported.
Boats must have all navigation lights on from sunset to sunrise even while “free floating,” trolling or fishing. All motorboats are prohibited from displaying; any flashing lights (except in an emergency), docking lights or spotlights while on open waters or channel, or any lights that overpower the effect or are contrary to the navigation lights. Exceptions include: 1) Anchor light only when anchored. 2) Boats with no mechanical means of propulsion but must have a light to shine to prevent a collision.
All watercraft propelled by machinery or sail must be registered and numbered properly. The certificate must be kept on board for inspection.
Proof of $50,000 liability insurance must be on board all vessels with more than 50 horsepower and PWC’s that are registered in Arkansas.
It is illegal to possess glass containers on the waters of the state if the vessel is susceptible to swamping or tipping.
Operators of any boat equipped with a lanyard type cut-off switch must attach it to their person or to their PFD when operating above 5 mph. Houseboats, party barges, and boats used while duck hunting are exempt.

Return to Top

ADDITIONAL BOATING LAWS PERTAINING TO PERSONAL WATERCRAFT (PWC)

Every Person on a PWC is required to wear a Personal Floatation Device (Coast Guard approved life jacket).
Operators must be at least 16 YOA to operate a PWC without supervision. Persons 12 and 15 YOA may operate with someone at least 18 YOA onboard. Persons under 12 YOA must have someone at least 21 YOA on board in a position to take immediate control of the PWC.
Operators of a PWC cannot exceed 10 mph within 100’ of the rear of another boat/PWC or within 50’ of either side of another boat/PWC.
It is prohibited to operate a PWC at a speed greater than no wake (5 mph) within 100 feet of an anchored or moored vessel, shoreline, dock, pier, swim float, marked swim area, swimmer, surfer, person engaged in angling or any manually propelled vessel.
A PWC must have an observer to tow a skier. Mirrors are not allowed for skiing on PWC’s. Also the PWC must be rated to accommodate the operator, observer, and number of people being towed. (PWC must be designed for at least three (3) persons in order to tow a skier.)
A PWC must not be operated from sunset to sunrise. No Exceptions.
The operator of a PWC is required to wear the engine cut-off lanyard (KILL SWITCH) attached to his/her person or PFD.
Becoming “airborne” on a PWC while jumping the wake of another vessel, within 100 feet of that vessel, is prohibited.

RENTAL BOAT REGULATIONS

All operators of rental motorboats (including PWC’s) must: 1) Read and possess this copy of Arkansas Boating Laws. 2) Provide rental company proof of age, name, address, float plan, and (if born on or after January 01, 1986) boating safety course certificate.
All operators of a rental PWC must view a safety video prior to operation. The video is about 4 ½ minutes.
All rental boats/PWC must operate in designated area described in agreement (ex. Operate in view of rental location)

To obtain a complete copy of the Arkansas State Boating Law or to report an accident contact the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission at 1-800-482-9262 or www.agfc.com or the Garland County Sheriff’s Office at 622-3666 for assistance in Garland County.

U.S. Coast Guard Navigational Rules (Opens in New Window)

Return to Top