HB 1505 -- Watercraft Regulations

Sponsor:  Hosmer

Currently, the Director of Revenue is authorized to impose a
penalty or cancel registration for failure to register a
documented vessel or for selling a documented vessel without a
certificate of registration.  Under this bill, such a penalty or
cancellation can apply to vessels documented prior to August 28,
1994, only if the person has received at least a 30 day notice
that registration is required.

The bill requires canoes 16 or more feet in length to have at
least one type I, II, III, or IV personal flotation device on
board for each person.  Watercraft 16 or more feet in length
must have at least one type IV throwable personal flotation
device and at least one type I, II, or III wearable flotation
device for each person on board and each person being towed who
is not wearing one.  Watercraft less than 16 feet in length must
have at least one type I, II, or III personal flotation device
for each person on board.  Kayaks, sailboards, racing shells,
racing kayaks, and rowing sculls are exempted from some of the
flotation device requirements.  Type V personal flotation
devices may be carried in place of other devices required.
Between October 15th and March 15th on the Missouri River,
Mississippi River, Corps of Engineers lakes, Lake of the Ozarks,
and Thomas Hill Lake occupants of any vessel less that 18 feet
in length are required to wear a type I, II, III, or V personal
flotation device when the vessel is underway or has the motor
running.

The chemical analysis of a person's urine may also be used to
determine if a person's blood alcohol content is excessive in
connection with operating watercraft.

A vessel operating within 100 feet of any other vessel or person
in the water or within 100 feet of docks or piers on any lake or
waters of the Missouri or Mississippi rivers is restricted to a
speed no greater than a slow-no wake speed.

Any time a watercraft, except personal watercraft, is pulling a
person water skiing, tubing, or engaged in similar activity on
Missouri lakes, the Missouri River, or the Mississippi River
must display a red or orange flag.

No person may knowingly operate any watercraft within 100 feet
of a flagged vessel at a speed in excess of a slow-no wake
speed.  Currently, such flag must be used whenever a person
leaves a watercraft on waters of Missouri lakes, the Mississippi
River, or the Missouri River between the hours of 11 a.m. and
sunset and operation around such watercraft is restricted to 50
yards.

The bill also gives State Water Patrol officers arrest powers
outside of their jurisdiction in certain circumstances.