Oak Orchard River Bass Anglers
Boating and Fishing Rules Below is information that I obtained from U.S. Coast Guard and N.Y. State websites. It is in no way a complete listing of all boating rules and regulations, but it is as thorough a listing of what you are expected to know and comply with while boating that I could come up with. A thorough and complete understanding of all rules and regulations can only come from a thorough reading of all Federal, State, and Local Laws, Codes, Rules and Regulations, and Ordinances. I believe that if we comply with the rules and regulations that I have listed below, and use good common sense, we will be far ahead of the average boater. Although I can never guarantee that no one will be cited if they comply with what I have listed, I feel reasonably sure that likelihood is slim. I have researched this information and provide it as a guideline only. It is not intended to be a complete or thorough listing of all Federal, State, or Local Laws, Codes, Rules and Regulations, and/or Ordinances. It is simply a guideline to help bass fishermen avoid regulatory difficulties while pursuing their passion. No guarantees are stated or implied, and none should be assumed. Education is our only hope for avoiding inadvertent problems on the water and this information is provided for that purpose, and that purpose only. Em Seefeldt, President, Oak Orchard River Bass Anglers REQUIRED SAFETY EQUIPMENT Class 1 Vessels (16’ TO 25’ 11”) Valid Registration On Board the Vessel Registration Numbers & Sticker Properly Displayed Life Jackets (PFD-Personal Floatation Device) (One Type I, II or III PFD for each person on board the vessel. Must be of appropriate size for each passenger, serviceable and readily accessible (never kept in plastic or under lock and key). Children under the age of 12 must wear a Type I, II or III PFD at all times. Type V PFD (Special Use Device-floatation suits, deck suits, work vests, board sailing vests and Hybrid PFD) are only acceptable if used according to the approved condition on the label. Hybrid Inflatable PFD must be worn when underway to be acceptable. Throwable PFD (Personal Floatation Device) Each boat is required to have at least 1 U.S. Coast Guard approved, Type IV (Throwable Device) PFD on board and it must be readily accessible. Sounding Device Each boat is required to have a sounding device. A mouth whistle capable of producing a blast of 2 or more seconds in duration and which can be heard at least ½ mile is permitted on boats under 39’ in length. Anchor and Anchor Line Is required and must be of sufficient weight and strength to provide the boat with safe anchorage. Anchor style should be suitable for the types of water in which you are operating. Anchor line should be between 4 and 7 times the depth of the water in which you normally anchor. Fire Extinguisher Outboard motorboats under 26’ (unless of open construction which are exempt) must have 1 U.S. Coast Guard approved, Type B-1 Fire Extinguisher and it must be readily accessible. Distress Flag 1 U.S. Coast Guard approved distress flag is required and it must be readily accessible. Signaling Device A minimum of 3 U.S. Coast Guard approved, handheld day/night flares are required. Flares must be readily accessible and not expired. Navigation Lights Required and must be displayed between sunset and sunrise and during daylight periods of reduced visibility. No blues lights are allowed. Capacity Plate Required of the manufacturer and it must be prominently displayed. Noise Level Compliance Required of the manufacturer. The following equipment is not required, but is recommended Paddles/Oars Dock Lines Cell Phone or Marine Radio Bailing Bucket Tool Kit First Aid Kit Flashlight Docking Fenders Spare Fuel Spare Fuses GPS or Navigation Maps (It should also be pointed out that the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary provides Courtesy Marine Examinations (CME) and their requirements for receiving their decal (Seal of Safety) not only parallels Federal boating requirements but often exceeds those requirements. Please DO NOT confuse requirements for the USCG Auxiliary’s Seal of Safety with Federal boating requirements.) NEW YORK STATE BOATING REGULATIONS (This is not a complete listing but the most common and the ones we should be aware of) NO BOAT SHALL BE OPERATED: Within 100 feet of shore, dock, anchored boat or swim area in excess of 5 MPH (The NY State speed limit is 5 MPH when within 100 feet of shore, dock, pier, raft, float or anchored boat and on some specific waters it is 5 MPH out to a distance of 200 feet. There may also be a daytime speed limit of 45 MPH and 25 MPH at night. Local Ordinances may further regulate the speed of boats within specific areas. Check with local authorities and obey posted limits.) In an impudent and unsafe manner Whose operator is intoxicated or has his (her) ability to operate impaired by alcohol or drugs By anyone under 10 years of age unless accompanied by a person at least 18 years old By anyone between 10-18 years of age unless accompanied by a person over 18 years old or unless they hold a Boating Education Certificate Without required equipment Without navigation lights displayed at night or during times of poor visibility Within 100 feet of a Diving Flag REPORTING BOATING ACCIDENTS Any accident in which there was a death, a disappearance, an injury requiring professional aid or damage in excess of $500.00 is considered a reportable accident. If there was a death, disappearance or injury, you must immediately report it to the police and then report it to NYS Parks within 48 hours. If there was only damage, you must report it to NYS Parks within 5 days. Anytime you are involved in an accident on the water you must stop and exchange information with the other involved party. NEW YORK STATE RULE GOVERNING CULLING OF BASS A single, uninjured largemouth or smallmouth bass that an angler is landing, measuring or in the process of releasing from a recirculating or aerated livewell, is not considered to be part of the daily creel. NEW YORK STATE DEFINITION OF CATCH AND RELEASE Catch and release means catching and immediately releasing the caught fish without harm. Measuring, weighing and photographing of the fish are permitted as long as the fish is not removed from the water for an extended period or handled in a manner that could cause it harm. Fish may not be placed in a bucket, tub, livewell, on a sting or any other “holding device”. NEW YORK STATE LAW ON PRE-SEASON FISHING A person may NOT fish for a species (not even catch and release) during the closed season for that species unless specifically allowed by law. NEW YORK STATE RECOMMENDATIONS When you leave a body of water: Remove any visible mud, plants, fish or animals before transporting equipment Drain any water from equipment (boat, motor, trailer, livewells, etc.) before transporting Clean and dry anything that comes into contact with the water (equipment, clothes, dogs, etc.) Never release plants, fish or animals into a body of water unless they came out of that body of water
I also researched the issue of fishing in close proximity to marina gas pumps and was unable to find any Federal or State Law prohibiting this practice. To be sure I hadn't missed something, I called DEC and talked with their Law Enforcement Officers. According to them there is no Federal or State Law prohibiting fishing in close proximity to gas docks. Common sense, however, should tell you not to block access to such areas, thereby preventing customers from reaching the gas pumps.
Anyone over 18 years of age may operate a motor boat alone
With a child under age 12 that is not wearing a Type I, II or III USCG Approved PFD
