Boating Rules and Regulations
It is the goal for everyone to have a safe experience out on Goose Pond. This includes swimmers, kayaks, boaters and personal watercraft users. Refer to the following information as you venture out on the pond!
Please note, there is NO public swimming at the boat ramp nor is there any public beaches on the pond.
Massachusetts Boating Law Summary
Here is a summary of the boating laws you must know and observe.
Minimum Age Restrictions
No person under 12 years of age may operate a motorboat, unless accompanied on-board and directly supervised by a competent person 18 years of age or older. Personal watercraft (PWC) users must still be at least 16 years of age in order to operate, with no exceptions.
Safety Education Certification
Youth who are between 12 and 15 years of age must complete an approved basic boating course in order to operate a motorboat without adult supervision. Upon successful completion of such a course, students are issued a state "boating safety certificate" which must be in the possession of the certified operator when underway. Personal watercraft users who are 16 or 17 years of age must also complete such a boating course. Youth less than 16 years of age are not allowed to operate personal watercraft.
Accident Reporting
The operator of any motorboat involved in an accident which results in personal injury, death, or property damage (over $500) shall immediately notify the MA Environmental Police and file the appropriate accident report within the required time frame. (2 days-fatality; 5 days - all other accidents)
Massachusetts Boat Accident Report
Safety Equipment
Most of the state equipment carriage requirements are similar to federal laws. This primary list includes life preservers, fire extinguishers, signaling devices, visual distress signals, and navigation lights. In Massachusetts, life preservers are required to be worn by: (1) youth less than 12 years of age (2) personal watercraft users (3) waterskiers (4) canoeists/kayakers from September 15 - May 15. A boat owner or a boat's operator is responsible to ensure that passengers on-board wear life preservers as required. Additionally, the state requires that all motorboats (with the exception of personal watercraft) be equipped with an anchor, manual bailer, and line. A paddle or an oar is required on boats less than 16 feet in length. Motorboats towing skiers must also be equipped with a boarding ladder. Registration and numbering of all boats powered by machinery is required.
Prohibited Operation
The following types of operation are extremely unsafe and are prohibited:
- Operating any vessel under the influence of alcohol or drugs. A blood alcohol concentration of .08 BAC is the current standard of intoxication in Massachusetts. Penalties have increased substantially and may include the loss of a motor vehicle driver's license.
- Operating a motorboat within 150 feet of a swimming area, whether public or private.
- Operating at an excessive speed considering weather conditions, boat traffic, and other hazards.
- For inland waters, operating at a speed greater than 45 mph is considered negligent operation.
- Operating a motorboat without properly working lights.
- Operating a motorboat during the nighttime while towing waterskiers, tubers, etc.
- Operating at greater than headway speed (6 mph or less) within 150 feet of a swimmer, waterskier, mooring area, marina, boat launch, or when the operator's vision is obscured in any way.
- Operating in an overloaded condition (carrying total weight that exceeds capacity plate recommendations or is excessive considering water conditions)
- Operating with passengers on the bow, gunwales, or any other place where there may be a chance of falling overboard.
Personal Watercraft Operation
Personal watercraft (PWC) are considered motorboats by law and must comply with all boating laws and navigation rules, including the speed and operation provisions above. Additionally, PWC users must adhere to state regulations specific to personal watercraft operation including:
- Wear an approved life jacket (PFD) at all times (operator and passengers).
- Attach the safety lanyard to the operator and the cutoff/kill switch.
- Always operate at slow, no-wake speed (6 mph or less) within 150 feet of a swimmer, the shoreline, waterskiers, a boat launch, a raft or float or a moored or docked boat.
You must not operate a PWC:
- If less than 16 years old
- Under the influence of alcohol
- Between sunset and sunrise
- At high speed in congested areas
- On waters under 75 acres
- While towing persons on skis, tubes, etc.
Ready to take that boating course.....click here!
Personal Water Craft
Before you fire up that PWC, be aware of your responsibilities
Personal Watercraft Safety Law Summary
A summary of important Personal Watercraft laws and safety rules.
Personal Watercraft (PWC) Defined
A personal watercraft is a Class A inboard motorboat.
Basic boating safety rules and laws
Follow basic boating safety rules and laws, and protect your privilege to operate personal watercraft.
Wear an approved life preserver (PFD) at all times.
Attach the safety lanyard to yourself and the cutoff switch.
Check throttle control and steering before starting engine.
Steering PWC requires thrust, maintain speed when turning.
Always operate at slow, no-wake speed (6MPH or less) when within 150 feet of the following:
Swimmer
Watercraft
Raft or Float
Shoreline
Boat launch
Moored or docked boat
Never operate at all, within 150 feet of any bathing beach.
No person shall operate a PWC except in a safe and prudent manner, so as not to endanger life, limb, or property. The following are examples of negligence or other prohibited operation:
Operating if less than 16 years old
Operating during the nighttime
Operating on waters under 75 acres
Operating under the influence of alcohol
Operating at high speed in congested areas
Operating while towing a skier, or any person in any manner
For any additional information on the above, or for contact information, check out the Mass.gov website