Connecticut law sets boating and abandoned vessel rules

Motorboat operators must not allow passengers to sit or stand on the rail in the stated circumstances. This applies to recreational motorboats under power. It bars sitting on the rail with either leg over the outside, or standing on it, while the boat is moving faster than slow-no-wake speed. This provision took effect upon passage.

A person must have an operating certificate to use a personal watercraft or a JAV, and a person under 16 must not operate a JAV. These rules cover personal watercraft and JAVs on state waters. An owner must not knowingly let someone without the required certificate operate either kind of craft. The commissioner may change or suspend age or certificate rules in writing for a marine event. If the Coast Guard has jurisdiction over the event, its authorization must first be provided to the commissioner. These provisions took effect upon passage.

An owner must display current, valid contact information on a vessel placed on state waters. This applies to vessel owners placing vessels on the waters of the state. The information must be legibly printed on the vessel or attached to it, as the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection prescribes. This requirement does not apply to a vessel with a valid, effective certificate of number issued by the state, another state, or the federal government. This provision took effect upon passage.

Motorboats may travel faster than eight miles per hour, and people may waterski, on Wyassup Lake during the stated period and hours. These rules apply to Wyassup Lake in North Stonington. The faster boating and waterskiing rules apply from the Saturday before Memorial Day through September 15, between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. No one may waterski or tow a water skier between the islands and the east shore of the lake. The permitted season and hours repeat each year.

Parties with standing may seek full repayment of unpaid costs caused by or related to an abandoned vessel. State and municipal law enforcement agencies may also seek certain added costs. A party with standing is someone legally entitled to bring the claim. These rules cover costs connected to abandoned vessels and notices filed with the commissioner. Added costs for state or municipal law enforcement agencies include environmental cleanup and vessel removal expenses, including legal and court costs. A person acting in good faith and without malicious intent while processing, storing, or moving an abandoned vessel is protected from civil liability for damage to it. A $20 notice filing fee applies. The state, municipalities, and state or municipal law enforcement agencies do not need notarization or to pay the fee. These provisions took effect upon passage.