Prohibited Operations
No person under the age of 12 is allowed to operate a watercraft or vessel, and no person under the age of 14 is allowed to operate one alone. There is no towing of vessels without there actually being another individual inside the vessel capable of steering it, and preferably another above the age of 12 to assist. No person is allowed to operate a vessel without all safety equipment available on the vessel, specified by the Alabama Rules and Regulations district website.
Water Traffic Regulations
All vessels passing head-on need to keep to the right. All motor boats must grant the right of way to non-motor-powered boats except when the vessel is towing another vessel, the motorboat is being overtaken by a non-powered boat, or one is crossing paths with a deep draft vessel that is not permitted out in the open lake. All departing vessels have the right of way when approaching a landing dock or pier. No motorized vessels are allowed to circle around swimming individuals or other vessels.
General Regulations
All Alabama boating regulations are ordained under the Boating Safety Act of 1959, the Roberson/Archer Act of 1994, and the Boating Safety Enhancement Act of 2001. Any violation of these ordinances that results in the death of another individual is considered homicide. Any accident that results in the death or injury of an individual, with damages that exceed $50,000, must be reported to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and the Marine Police Division or county sheriff's office prior to 10 days after the accident.
Boating Under the Influence
No person is allowed to operate a vessel, waters ski, aquaplane or any type of device that provides marine transport if he has a 0.08 percent blood alcohol content or more, is under the influence of a controlled substance, or is under the influence of any substance that has a significant detrimental effect to mental or physical faculties. Refusal to submit to a field sobriety test will result in a suspension of your license to operate the marine transport vehicle.
Article Written By Simon Breedon
Simon Breedon has been freelance writing for Newspapers for the past 8 years. He has written for The Washington Informer, Edge Magazine, The Yeti, The FSView and Florida Flambeau Newspaper. He has a BA from Florida State University in Creative non-fiction/ Journalism and a Masters Certification in Editing and Publishing. He is currently attending Law School and studying for a computers science degree.
