For Your Information ….
Many of the boaters on Crooked Lake know and adhere to the “No Wake” hours (4 p.m. until 10 a.m,) posted at all boat landings. Some boaters, however, need to understand what the definition of “No Wake” is. Here is how the DNR defines it: Slow-No-Wake Speed (SNW) means a speed at which a vessel moves as slowly as possible while still maintaining steerage control. For any of you who let friends and family use your cottage, please make them aware of the “No Wake” hours.
There are more and more jet skis (personal watercrafts) on the lake. Below are some of the rules from the DNR.
Personal Watercraft (Jet Skis)
PWC operators must obey the laws that apply to other vessels as well as obey additional requirements that apply specifically to the operation of a personal watercraft.
• Every person on board a PWC must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved Type I, II, III or V lifejacket.
• An operator of a PWC equipped with a lanyard-type ignition safety switch must attach the lanyard to his or her person, clothing, or lifejacket.
• A PWC may not be operated between sunset and sunrise.
• A PWC operator must always face forward.
• A PWC may not be operated at faster than slow-no-wake speed within:
- 100 feet of any other vessel
- 100 feet of a dock, pier, raft, or restricted area on any lake
- 200 feet of shore on any lake
• There are minimum age and boater education requirements for operators of PWCs.
• A PWC must be operated in a responsible manner. Maneuvers that endanger people or property are prohibited, including: Jumping a wake with a PWC within 100 feet of another vessel, operating within 100 feet of a vessel that is towing a person on water skis, inner tube, wakeboard, or similar device, or operating within 100 feet of the tow rope or person being towed, weaving a PWC through congested waterway traffic, steering toward another object or person in the water and swerving at the last possible moment in order to avoid collision, and chasing, harassing, or disturbing wildlife with a PWC.
New since 2009 – new regulations to be aware of from the 2010 Wisconsin Boating Regulations and Handbook:
1. It is illegal to transport invasive species.
2. It is illegal to operate a vessel within 100 feet of the shore of any lake at greater than slow-no-wake speed.
Many of you are already experienced boaters, as you take to the water this year please take the time to educate a person who may be new to boating by explaining safe boating practices, boating laws and rules. Experienced and novice boaters alike need to be mindful that our waters are being shared by many users with various interests. It is crucial to always be respectful of others.
Historically, most of Wisconsin’s boating fatalities have occurred in small boats with victims who were not wearing lifejackets. Statistics also show that many accidents involve the use of alcohol and drugs. Boat responsibly by always wearing your lifejacket and designating a sober operator.
At the DNR, we wish you an enjoyable and safe boating experience on Wisconsin’s waters.
SAFE BOATING DEPENDS ON YOU!
Aquatic Invasives – Illegal to Transport Laws (New in 2010)
Beginning with the 2010 boating season, it is now illegal to spread invasive species. The following acts are illegal and may result in citations and fines.
• Failure to remove all aquatic plants or aquatic animals attached to any vehicle or to drain all water from boat trailers, equipment or gear immediately after leaving the water and before leaving a boat launch area or associated parking area.
• Launching or placing a vehicle, boat, boat trailer, equipment or gear into waters of the state, if an aquatic plant or aquatic animal is attached.
• Transporting on a public highway a vehicle, boat, boat trailer, equipment or gear, if an aquatic plant or aquatic animal is attached.
• Transporting over land from another state any vehicle, boat, boat trailer, equipment or gear for use in Wisconsin waters without first removing all attached aquatic plants and aquatic animals and draining all water.
• Using a live prohibited fish invasive species as fishing bait.
• Using any live non-native crayfish as bait for fishing on inland or outlying waters, except for rusty crayfish that are dead, or live rusty crayfish on the Mississippi River.