Chapter 7.20
BOATING, MOORAGE AND ANCHORAGE REGULATIONS
Sections:
7.20.010 Authority over waters.
7.20.030 Moorage and anchorage regulations.
7.20.050 Impoundment and sale of watercraft in violation of moorage and anchorage regulations.
7.20.010 Authority over waters.
The City, in the exercise of its police power, assumes control and jurisdiction over all lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water within the area of its geographical boundaries. (Ord. 90-1044 § 1)
7.20.020 Boating regulations.
The following sections of the King County Code as now in effect, and as may subsequently be amended, are hereby adopted by reference to establish boating regulations, except that the reference therein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, references to King County shall refer to the City and references to the Sheriff or the King County Department of Public Safety shall refer to the City Police Department, whether contracted or employed:
12.44.020 Definitions.
12.44.040 Negligent operation. But, in addition, it is hereby declared that such reckless operation shall be a violation of City ordinance equivalent to a misdemeanor and conviction thereof shall be punished by a term of imprisonment in jail not to exceed 90 days, a fine in amount not to exceed $1,000.00, or both.
12.44.050 Reckless operation. But, in addition, it is hereby declared that such negligent operation shall be a violation of City ordinance equivalent to a gross misdemeanor and conviction thereof shall be punished by a term of imprisonment in jail not to exceed 1 year, a fine in amount not to exceed $5,000.00, or both.
12.44.060 Required distance from power craft to swimmers and rowboats. Except that this section shall also apply to watercraft powered by jets, water pumps, or any form of water jet propulsion.
12.44.070 Speed limit specified – Lakes – Exception.
12.44.080 Speed limit specified – Rivers – Exception.
12.44.110 Sunken vessels.
12.44.120 Floating objects.
12.44.130 Intoxication. Except that it is hereby declared that such intoxication shall be a violation of City ordinance equivalent to a gross misdemeanor and conviction thereof shall be punished by a term of imprisonment in jail not to exceed 1 year, a fine in amount not to exceed $5,000.00, or both.
12.44.140 Incapacity of operator. Except that it is hereby declared that such incapacity of operator shall be a violation of City ordinance equivalent to a gross misdemeanor and conviction thereof shall be punished by a term of imprisonment in jail not to exceed 1 year, a fine in amount not to exceed $5,000.00, or both.
12.44.150 Accidents.
12.44.160 Accident reports.
12.44.170 Accident reports confidential and inadmissible as evidence.
12.44.180 Overloading. But, in addition, it is hereby declared that such overloading shall be a violation of City ordinance equivalent to a misdemeanor and conviction thereof shall be punished by a term of imprisonment in jail not to exceed 90 days, a fine in amount not to exceed $1,000.00, or both.
12.44.200 Restricted areas.
12.44.210 Swimming.
12.44.220 Skin-diving.
12.44.230 Water skiing.
12.44.350 Whistles and lights.
12.44.360 Equipment and numbering.
12.44.370 Life preservers and running lights.
12.44.400 Rules of the road.
12.44.410 Propellers. But the prohibition of this section shall also apply to watercraft powered by jets, water pumps, or any form of water jet propulsion.
12.44.420 Unsafe piers. But in addition it is hereby declared that failure to comply shall be a violation of City ordinance equivalent to a gross misdemeanor and conviction thereof shall be punished by a term of imprisonment in jail not to exceed 1 year, a fine in amount not to exceed $5,000.00, or both.
12.44.460 Drifting debris. But in addition it is hereby declared that failure to comply shall be a violation of City ordinance equivalent to a misdemeanor and conviction thereof shall be punished by a term of imprisonment in jail not to exceed 90 days, a fine in amount not to exceed $1,000.00, or both.
12.44.470 Oil. But in addition it is hereby declared that failure to comply shall be a violation of City ordinance equivalent to a misdemeanor and conviction thereof shall be punished by a term of imprisonment in jail not to exceed 90 days, a fine in amount not to exceed $1,000.00, or both.
12.44.480 Nuisances.
12.44.490 Public health.
12.44.510 Liability for damages.
12.44.520 Exemption to authorized emergency vessels and watercraft.
12.44.530 Aiding and abetting violation. But in addition, it is hereby declared that such aiding and abetting shall be a violation of City ordinance equivalent to a misdemeanor and conviction thereof shall be punished by a term of imprisonment in jail not to exceed 90 days, a fine in amount not to exceed $1,000.00, or both.
12.44.540 Directing traffic, emergency powers.
12.44.710 Authority of officers to board watercraft.
12.44.730 Enforcement.
(Ord. 90-1044 § 2)
7.20.030 Moorage and anchorage regulations.
It shall be unlawful to anchor, moor, beach, ground or otherwise secure any watercraft to the bed or shoreline of any waters or to any shoreline structure except under the following specific conditions:
A. Where moored to a private pier or shore with the permission of the owner or lessee of the real property; provided, that the watercraft so moored shall remain within the legal property waterline or the established boundaries as defined by general law or the appropriate governmental agency.
B. Where moored to a public pier, buoy or float, specifically intended for public use, in a manner consistent with any posted regulations displayed on-site or any applicable laws, rules or regulations of the public agency with jurisdiction over use of such public property.
C. Where owned, leased or under the control of a licensed and bonded contractor at the site of and necessary for the completion of a construction project which has received all necessary permits, approvals and licenses.
D. Where anchorage or moorage is necessary because of an emergency situation. All violations of this section are declared to be detrimental to the public safety, health and welfare and are declared public nuisances subject to abatement. Violation of these moorage and anchorage regulations is declared to be a violation of City ordinance equivalent to a misdemeanor and conviction thereof shall be punished by a term of imprisonment in jail not to exceed ninety (90) days, a fine in amount not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), or both. (Ord. 90-1044 § 3)
7.20.040 Right of entry.
Whenever necessary to make an inspection in order to determine compliance or to enforce the provisions of these moorage and anchorage regulations, a police officer, or any other duly authorized City official, who has cause to believe that a violation has been or is being committed, may board and enter any watercraft to inspect the same, subject to the following conditions:
A. If such watercraft is occupied, the inspector shall present identification credentials, state the reason for the inspection and demand entry.
B. If such watercraft is unoccupied, the inspector shall first make a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other persons having charge or control of the craft and shall then demand entry. If the inspector is unable to locate the owner or such other persons, and if the inspector has reason to believe that conditions create an immediate and irreparable safety or health hazard, the inspector shall make entry without further notice.
C. It shall be unlawful for any owner or any other person having charge, care or control of such watercraft to fail or neglect after proper demand has been given, to permit entry thereon where the inspector has reason to believe that moorage and anchorage regulations are being violated, and such failure or neglect shall be a violation of City ordinance equivalent to a misdemeanor and conviction thereof shall be punished by a term of imprisonment in jail not to exceed ninety (90) days, a fine in amount not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), or both. (Ord. 90-1044 § 4)
7.20.050 Impoundment and sale of watercraft in violation of moorage and anchorage regulations.
The City may take immediate possession of and impound any watercraft, in-place or otherwise, upon finding that the craft is moored or anchored unlawfully, or appears to have been abandoned, or remains in place twenty-four (24) hours after service on the owner or other person having charge, care or control of such craft, either personally or by registered mail, of a notice to remove the craft or abate the nuisance, or the watercraft appears, after reasonable investigation, to be unsafe or incapable of water transportation. In the event possession is taken of any watercraft by the City, the expenses incurred by the City in the removal, towing, impounding and moorage of the same shall be paid by the owner and/or other person in charge thereof. In event a watercraft shall remain impounded for sixty (60) days and the charges of impoundment remain unpaid, the City may sell the same at public auction and the City may further maintain an action against the owner or any other person having charge, care or control of the watercraft for the recovery of the expenses of removal, towing, impoundment, and moorage, or any deficiency balance thereof remaining after sale of the craft. (Ord. 90-1044 § 5)