§ 16-72. Definitions.

Boating-restricted area means an area of the waters of the state within which the operation of vessels is subject to specified restrictions or from which vessels are excluded.

Idle speed and idle speed no wake indicates a boating restricted area which has been established to protect the safety of the public. The terms may be used interchangeably and mean that a vessel must proceed at a speed no greater than that which will maintain steerageway and headway. At no time is any vessel required to proceed so slowly that the operator is unable to maintain control over the vessel or any other vessel or object that it has under tow.

Idle speed no wake zone means an area of a waterway in which a vessel cannot proceed at a speed greater than that specified by the idle speed no wake definition.

No wake means that vessel speed which is the minimum required to maintain headway and does not produce a wake.

Regulatory marker means a device used to alert the mariner to various regulatory matters such as horsepower, speed, wake, or entry restrictions in conformity with the Uniform State Waterway Marking System and the United States Aids to Navigation System, Part 62 of Title 33 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

Slow speed and slow speed minimum wake indicates a boating restricted area which has been established to protect the safety of the public. The terms may be used interchangeably and mean that a vessel must be fully off plane and completely settled into the water. The vessel must then proceed at a speed which is reasonable and prudent under the prevailing circumstances so as to avoid the creation of an excessive wake or other hazardous condition which endangers or is likely to endanger other vessels or other persons using the waterway. At no time is any vessel required to proceed so slowly that the operator is unable to maintain control over the vessel or any other vessel or object that it has under tow.

Slow speed minimum wake zone means an area of a waterway in which a vessel cannot proceed at a speed greater than that specified by the slow speed minimum wake definition.

Speed zone means any area lawfully posted as a slow down minimum wake area or idle speed no wake area.

Vessel is synonymous with boat as referenced in s. 1(b), Art. VII of the State Constitution and includes every description of watercraft, barge, and airboat, other than a seaplane on the water, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water.

Vessel wake means the movement of waves created by the motion of the vessel. It is the track or path that the vessel leaves behind. Vessel operators shall be responsible for their own wake and liable for any damage it may cause.

Wake means when used in conjunction with a numerical size limit, means all changes in the vertical height of the water's surface caused by the passage of a vessel including, but not limited to, a vessel's bow wave, stern wake, and propeller wash, measured from the ambient tide level to the crest of the vessel's wake at a distance of not less than twenty-five (25) feet from the vessel.

(Ord. No. 12-12, § 2, 4-16-12)