Boating Regulations Fact Sheet
In King County, boating activities are largely regulated through the:
King County Code Section 12.44* [Acrobat file]
In this section, speed regulation, lake specific boating restrictions, equipment requirements, and other related information is specified. Washington State marine laws also affect King County boaters.
Regulation of Recreational Vessels can be found in the:
Revised Code of Washington (RCW) Chapter 79A.60*
Similar regulations affecting boaters can be found including the requirements for personal flotation device. The information presented in this factsheet is designed to give a brief overview of general regulations on King County lakes.
Getting Regulations Established
Each lake is unique, subsequently so are the boating regulations. These regulations were established through individual ordinances passed by the Metropolitan King County Council. To establish a boating regulation on a lake not listed in the chart requires the support of your Councilmember who would foster the legislative process for establishing specific regulations at your lake. To contact your Councilmember, call (206) 296-1000 or log-on at Council's web site.
See table of specific regulations on selected King County lakes.
Personal Flotation Devices
When it comes to safety, all lakes in King County follow the same basic rules. Before getting on the water, make sure you have your personal flotation device (PFD). All PFDs must meet or exceed design standards set by the United States Coast Guard. Additionally, a PFD must be available, of appropriate size, and in serviceable condition for each person on board. A new life jacket law went into effect July 25, 1999. It stipulates that children 12 years old and younger must wear a PFD at all times whenever the vessel is underway. Children also are required to have a life jacket on when on an open deck or cockpit of any vessel less than 19 feet. Exceptions to this requirement are included in Chapter 79A.60 of the RCW.
Water Skiing Safety
It is illegal to engage in water skiing without wearing a PFD. You also need a person on board who serves as an observer. The observer (who cannot also be the driver of the boat) must display a bright red or orange flag whenever the towed person is in the water. Water skiing is prohibited on Washington state waters from one hour after sunset until one hour prior to sunrise.
Personal Watercraft
The U.S. Coast Guard classifies personal watercraft (such as jet skis) as Class A inboard boats. Pursuant to this, King County Code holds personal watercraft operation to the same basic rules and requirements as any other powerboat. Sailboats (and other non-motorized watercraft), commercial vessels, and fishing boats always have the right of way. Operators of personal watercraft must be at least 14 years old. The use of personal watercraft is prohibited on the waters of Washington state from sunset until sunrise. Also be aware that more and more lakes throughout the state are passing additional rules regarding jet skis and their hours of operation. New restrictions on personal watercraft typically will be posted at public boat launches and other public areas.
Speed Limits
In KCC 12.44 speed limit information is specified. Generally, no motor powered watercraft can be operated on any lake in excess of eight miles per hour. Exceptions to this speed limit are specified for lakes Meridian, Sammamish, Sawyer, and Washington where a more diverse set of uses may occur (e.g. waterskiing, transportation, or hydro racing).
For all lakes in Washington state, boaters are required to keep their vessels under control at all times and should never endanger the safety of others or harm property and wildlife. Skippers are responsible for damage caused by their vessels' wakes.
New Law to Stop Stowaways
Starting June 2002, all boats leaving a Washington boat launch must be free of aquatic weeds and other debris, otherwise risk being ticketed. This law comes as a result of problem with invasive, non-native species entering Washington waters. The trailering and passage of boats from one body of water to another has significantly contributed to the rapid spread of milfoil, an aggressive, non-native water weed that threathens the safety of swimmers and boaters.
First discovered in Washington in the 1970s, milfoil now flourishes in Lake Washington and Sammamish as well as a few smaller King County. Reproducing by a process of fragmentation in which smaller pieces of the plant grow new roots, milfoil spreads to other waterbodies as people unknowingly transport these "stowaways" on their boats and trailers.
Also a threat to Washington waters are zebra mussels. These tiny creatures, typically no bigger than a penny, are native to the Caspian Sea in Asia. The adhere to all hard surfaces including outboard motors, docks, pipes, even the shells of turtles, clams, and other mussels. They entered the Great Lakes region in the late 1980s via ballast water of a transatlantic vessel. Within 10 years, these mussels have spread throughout the Midwest, causing millions in damage to water structures, fouling beaches, and destroying boat engines. Currently, no zebra mussels have been reported in Washington waters, and it is hoped that requiring boaters to clean their vessels before leaving one body of water for another, the spread of these dangerous invaders can be stopped.
For more information on state boating regulations, contact the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission at (800) 233-0321 and request a free copy of their Washington Boater's Guide, Rules, Regulation and Safety Afloat.
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