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Careless and Negligent Boat Operation in Kentucky

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Negligent Boat Operation Laws in Kentucky

Negligent boat operation is illegal in kentucky. According to state laws, it is illegal to operate a boat in a reckless, negligent, or dangerous manner which may endanger the life or property of any person. The operator of a watercraft will be held responsible for any damage caused by negligent operation.

Additionally, Kentucky boaters on the Ohio River may also be subject to the laws of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and the Coast Guard.

Examples of careless or negligent boat operation include:

Weaving through congested boat traffic.
Jumping the wake of another boat in such a way that endangers the life, safety, or property of any person.
Cutting between a boat and a person being towed by the boat.
Crossing the path of another boat when visibility is obstructed.
Steering toward an object or individual in the water and turning sharply at close range.
Following another boat too closely that is towing a person on water-skis, a surfboard or any towed sport device.
Operating a boat that has been overloaded.

Kentucky’s Additional Boating Laws/Recommendations:

Boat operators are required to maintain a distance of at least 50 feet from a commercial boat and its tow (unless the operator has given consent to do otherwise).
Operators navigating in areas with heavy traffic should reduce their speed and allow enough room to execute avoidance maneuvers.
Operators of larger boats should always be aware of the wake their boat is creating and that operating at an excessive speed can create a dangerous wake.

Prohibited Riding

It is illegal in the state of Kentucky to do any of the following when operating above idle speed:

Ride on an enclosed bow.
Ride outside the protective railing of a pontoon or houseboat.
Ride on a seat which extends 6 inches above the plane of the boat’s gunwales.
Ride on the sides, back, engine cover or seat back.
Ride in any other obviously dangerous position which could lead to falling overboard.

Kentucky’s Laws for Boat Speed Limits and Operation in Restricted Areas

In Kentucky, boat operators must keep their boats at “No Wake” speed when operating in any area that has been designated as a “No Wake” zone.

Additionally, in Kentucky it is illegal for boats to operate within restricted areas as posted above or below navigation, power generating, or flood control dams.