A R I Z O N A G A M E A N D F I S H D E P A R T M E N T

ARIZONA BOATING LAWS AND REGULATIONS

AT A GLANCE

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The information in this pamphlet is abbreviated fromArizona state law and Arizona Game and Fish Commissionregulations. It is designed to provide a quick reference toboating rules. Information for motorboat restrictions oncertain lakes is available from hunting and fishing licensedealers as part of the current fishing regulations.

Information on boating and the Arizona Game and FishDepartment boating class schedule can be found on ourWeb site, azgfd.gov, or by calling (602) 789-3235.

DEFINITIONS• Person means any individual or group of

individuals.

• Watercraft means any boat designed to be propelled on water by machinery, oars, paddles,or wind action upon a sail.

• Waterway meansany body of water onwhich a watercraftcan be navigated.

• Wakeless speedmeans a speed thatdoes not create awake, and is no morethan 5 mph.

• Motorized watercraft means any watercraft that is propelled by machinery whether or not themachinery is the principal source of propulsion.

• Aids to navigation means buoys, beacons, or otherfixed objects designed to direct navigation.

• Regulatory marker means any anchored or fixedmarker on or near the water, other than aids tonavigation, including markers to indicate swimmingareas, speed zones, danger points, wakelessareas, keep-out areas, mooring buoys and general information.

• Underway means that a watercraft on publicwaters is not at anchor, is not made fast to theshore, or is not aground.

• Wear means to be worn and fastened according to the manufacturer’s design or recommended useand adjusted for a snug fit.

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APPLICATIONThese provisions apply on all waterways of thestate, including those common to interstate bound-aries. On waters common with other states, such asthe Colorado River, other states’ laws and federalregulations may also apply.

WATERCRAFT REGISTRATION Staggered registrationis similar to motorvehicle registration.Decals issued will bethe color of the yearof expiration and willdisplay the month andyear of expiration.

If ownership of a watercraft changes, the newowner must notify the Arizona Game and FishDepartment within 15 days. A boat owner must also notify the department within 15 days with anaddress change or if a watercraft is stolen.

No number other than the one issued by the department may be displayed on the forward half of any watercraft.

The certificate of number must be aboard when awatercraft is in use.

If a certificate of number is lost or destroyed, aduplicate may be obtained from the department fora $2 charge.

All undocumented motorized watercraft operated,moored or anchored on the waterways of Arizonamust be numbered. The owner must file an applicationfor number with the Arizona Game and Fish Departmenton forms provided. The number issued must be displayed on each side of the bow along with thecurrent registration decal issued by the department.

Nonmotorized watercraft are exempt from registration requirements.

Dealer numbersDealers or manufacturers may use numbers anddecals attached to removable signs.

Numbering exceptionsExceptions to registration requirements includewatercraft used solely as lifeboats and those documented by the U.S. Coast Guard.

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ReciprocityNonresident-owned watercraft currently registeredin another state may be operated on the waters ofArizona for a period of up to 90 days.

Watercraft registration feeAn annual registration fee is required for eachmotorized watercraft.The fees are as follows:Resident 0 to 12 ft. $20 26 ft. 1 in. to 39 ft. $3912 ft. 1 in. to 16 ft. $22 39 ft. 1 in. to 64 ft. $4416 ft. 1 in. to 20 ft. $30 64 ft. 1 in. and over $6620 ft. 1 in. to 26 ft. $35

Nonresident0 to 12 ft. $100 26 ft. 1 in. to 39 ft. $29212 ft. 1 in. to 16 ft. $110 39 ft. 1 in. to 64 ft. $33016 ft. 1 in. to 20 ft. $222 64 ft. 1 in. and over $49520 ft. 1 in. to 26 ft. $259

If you have any questions, please contact any ArizonaGame and Fish Department office or call (602) 942-3000.

Trailer registrationCheck with the Arizona Department of Transportation’sMotor Vehicle Division for boat trailer registration.

EQUIPMENT Personal flotation devices (life jackets)All watercraft must be equipped with U.S. CoastGuard approved flotation devices as follows:

All watercraft, except sail-boards and certain racingshells or rowing sculls,must have at least oneU.S. Coast Guardapproved personal flota-tion device (PFD), type I, II,III, or V, for each person onboard. Such devices must

be in good and serviceable condition, readily acces-sible and must fit the intended wearer.

All watercraft 16 feet and longer shall have one typeIV throwable PFD on board.

When operating a personal watercraft, all personson board shall wear a type I, II, or III PFD.

All children 12 years and younger shall wear a U.S.Coast Guard approved type I, II, or III PFD whileunderway on any vessel.

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Any person being towed behind a watercraft shallwear a buoyant belt or personal flotation device.Note: A buoyant belt is not a U.S. Coast Guardapproved flotation device.

Fire extinguishersAll watercraft smaller than 26feet and using any volatileliquid having a flashpoint of110 degrees or less for fuelshall have on board andreadily accessible at leastone U.S. Coast Guardapproved type B-I fire extinguisher if any of the following conditions exist:

• Inboard engine

• Closed compartments where portable fuel tanksmay be stored

• Double bottoms not sealed to the hull or whichare not completely filled with flotation materials

• Closed living spaces

• Closed stowage compartments in which combustible or flammable materials are stored

• Permanently installed fuel tanks (fuel tankssecured so they cannot be moved in case of fire or other emergency shall be considered permanently installed)

• A fixed fire extinguishing system installed in theengine compartment

All watercraft 26–40 feet long shall have on boardand readily accessible:

• At least two type B-I fire extinguishers or at leastone type B-II fire extinguisher or

• At least one type B-I fire extinguisher if a fixed fireextinguishing system is installed in the enginecompartment

Watercraft 40–65 feet must carry at least three U.S.Coast Guard approved type B-I fire extinguishers orat least one B-I and one B-II fire extinguisher. If afixed fire extinguisher system is installed in theengine compartment, there must be at least twotype B-I or at least one type B-II fire extinguisher on board and readily accessible.

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OPERATION Reckless operationA person shall not operate a watercraft while allow-ing a person to ride on the gunwales, transom,covered or closed bow of a watercraft propelled bymachinery operating in excess of wakeless speed.

No person shall operate a watercraft in such a manner as to show willful or wanton disregard forother persons or property.

Operation ageExcept in case of emergency, no person under the age of 12 years may operate a watercraft propelled by a motor of greater than eight horse-power, unless the person’s parent or legal guardianor at least one person who is 18 years or older ispresent on the watercraft. Jet powered personalwatercraft (PWC) are over the eight horsepower limit.

Speed restrictionsNo person shall operate a watercraft at a speedgreater than is reasonable and prudent under prevailing conditions or in excess of posted limit.Speed shall be controlled to avoid collision or creating dangerous wake.

Operation under the influence No person under theinfluence of intoxicatingliquor or drugs shall be inphysical control of anywatercraft. The legal levelof intoxication is .08blood alcohol concentra-tion (BAC). Extreme OUI is.15 BAC and above. A person found guilty of an OUIviolation could receive a fine of up to $2,500 and ajail sentence of up to six months. Subsequent con-victions and aggravated OUI may carry even moresevere penalties.

LightsEither inland or international rules for lights must beobserved between sunset and sunrise when under-way or adrift.

Inland rules for lights on motorboats less than 26feet prescribe a red and green combination light for-ward and a bright white light aft to show all aroundthe horizon (360 degrees). Motorboats 26–65 feet

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shall display a 225-degree (112.5-degrees on eachside of the watercraft) unbroken white light aboveand forward of the stern light along the center lineof the watercraft. The stern light shall display a 135-degree unbroken white light placed as near tothe stern as practicable. Separate sidelights show-ing red 112.5 degrees to port (left) and green 112.5degrees to starboard (right) shall be used and fittedwith screens to prevent them from being seenacross the bow.

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International rules for lights on motorboats smallerthan 40 feet prescribe a red and green combinationlight or separate red and green lights forward, a white225-degree light forward and 3 feet higher than thecolored lights, and a white 135-degree light aft.

All sailboats without anauxiliary engine on boardshall display separate redand green lights forwardand a white 135-degreelight aft.

Manually propelled water-craft shall carry a lanternor flashlight showing a lightthat shall be exhibited insufficient time to avert

collision. Lights are not necessary on waters wherepower craft are prohibited.

A white 360-degree light must be displayed fromsunset to sunrise any time a watercraft is anchoredother than in a special anchorage area.

Diver flagsA red flag with a single white diagonal stripe, run-ning from staffhead to opposite lower corner, shallbe recognized as a diver down flag, indicating thereare divers below the surface.

Muffling devicesAll watercraft must be equipped with effective muffling equipment in good working order. Unlessoperating under a special permit, no person shalloperate a watercraft that emits a sound level inexcess of 86 decibels on the “A” weighted scale asmeasured 50 feet or more from the watercraft.

OverloadingAll watercraft 20 feet or smaller in length sold or manufactured in Arizona after January 1, 1971,must have a capacity plate attached and readily visible from the position normally occupied by theoperator of the watercraft. No watercraft may beloaded beyond the safe carrying capacity indicatedon this plate. Such plates are not required oncanoes and sailboats.

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Watercraft and boat engine restrictionsMotorized watercraft on the following waters arerestricted to using an electric motor only:

Motorized watercraft on the following waters arerestricted to a single electric motor or a single gasoline engine not exceeding 10 horsepower:

Watercraft are prohibited on Frye Mesa Reservoir,Rose Canyon Lake and Snow Flat Lake.

Watercraft are prohibited from entering the following waters during the dates designated:

1. The posted portion of Luna Lake from April 1–July 31.

2. The posted portions of Alamo Lake from Dec. 1–the end of waterfowl season.

3. The posted portion of the Tonto arm of Roosevelt Lake from Nov.15–Feb. 28.

Ackre LakeArivaca LakeBear Canyon LakeBlack Canyon LakeBunch ReservoirCarnero LakeChaparral LakeCluff PondsCoconino ReservoirCoors LakeDankworth PondDogtown ReservoirFortuna LakeGoldwater LakeGranite Basin LakeHorsethief Basin LakeHulsey LakeJ.D. Dam LakeKnoll LakeLee Valley Lake

Lynx LakeMcKellips Park Lake Pena Blanca LakePratt LakeQuigley LakeRedondo LakeRiggs Flat LakeRoper LakeSanta Fe LakeScott’s ReservoirSierra Blanca LakeSoldier Lake

(in Coconino County)Stehr LakeStoneman LakeTunnel ReservoirWhitehorse LakeWillow Valley LakeWoodland ReservoirWoods Canyon Lake

Ashurst LakeBecker LakeBig LakeBlue Ridge ReservoirCataract LakeChevelon Canyon LakeCholla Lake Hot PondConcho LakeCrescent LakeFool Hollow LakeKaibab LakeKinnikinick LakeLittle Mormon Lake

Luna LakeMexican Hay LakeNelson ReservoirParker Canyon LakeRainbow LakeRiver ReservoirRucker Canyon LakeShow Low LakeWhipple LakeWhite Mountain Lake

(in Apache County)Willow Springs Lake

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4. The posted portions of Mittry Lake from Nov. 15–Feb. 28.

5. The posted portions of Becker Lake from April 1–July 31.

6. The posted portions of the Aqua Fria arm of Lake Pleasant from mid-December to mid-June.

Motor restrictions do not apply to boats of governmentalagencies while on official duty or to emergency standbyboats operated by lake concessionaires whenapproved by the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

BOATING TIPS• Be courteous. The less time you spend on the boat

ramp or dock, the more boaters will appreciate you.In most cases, the larger the boat, the longer ittakes to launch and retrieve. Sailboats are particu-larily difficult to retrieve.

• The skipper or operator of a watercraft is respon-sible for any damage caused by the boat’s wake.

• Keep a lookout for other watercraft, skiers, reefs,snags and other floating objects.

• Make water your beverage of choice. Arizonawatercraft law enforcement agencies have adopteda zero-tolerance policy for boating while intoxicated.

• Reduce your wake especially in the area of swimmers,fishermen, sailboat regattas or watercraft at anchor.

REGULATORY MARKERS AND AIDS TO NAVIGATIONNo person shall operate a watercraft on the watersof the state contrary to the manner prescribed bylawful regulatory markers.

No person shall moor or fasten a watercraft to anyregulatory marker, or remove, obstruct, or interferewith any regulatory marker.

All regulatory markers are colored white and orange.

Geometric shapes painted on regulatory markersshall indicate:

1. A diamond means danger.

2. A diamond with a cross inside means noboats allowed.

3. Circles mean boats are subject to restrictionsindicated inside the circle.

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4. A square or rectangular shape with directionsinside gives specific directions, such as“marina.”

On a well-defined channel, aids to navigation shallbe solid colored buoys unless otherwise marked. Abuoy marking the left side of a channel (lookingupstream or up lake away from the dam) shall begreen. Buoys marking the right side of the channelshall be all red. Such buoys shall be in pairs, mark-ing each side of the channel, except that on anirregularly defined channel they may be staggeredon alternate sides of the channel. Watercraft shouldpass between the buoys except when to do sowould create a hazard to other watercraft.

A buoy with alternate black and white stripes meansthe watercraft should not pass between the buoyand the shore.

Navigational markers may be equipped with flashing lights.

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Mooring buoys shall be white with a horizontal blueband halfway between the top of the buoy and thewater line.

Interference with navigationNo person shall operate a watercraft or swim in a manner that unnecessarily or unreasonably interferes with other watercraft or within areas usedfor launching. Anchoring or swimming in heavilytraveled channels or blocking launching areas shallconstitute such interference.

WaterskiingNo watercraft having in tow a person or persons onwaterskis, surfboard or similar contrivance shall beoperated unless the watercraft is occupied by atleast two persons: an operator and an observer.

The observer shall display a bright or brilliantorange or red flag visible from all directions, no lessthan 12 x 12 inches on a side and mounted on ahandle, at all times when the skier is down in thewater and not actually skiing. The observer must bephysically capable and mentally competent to act asan observer.

No person shall be on waterskis or similar con-trivances in a careless or reckless manner so as toendanger life or property, or in a manner contrary tothat designated by regulatory markers.

Waterskiing is prohibited between sunset and sunrise.

Blocking launching areas No person shall camp or park on any boat-launchingarea or otherwise restrict or prevent free access tothe launching area.

Dumping refuse, litteringIt is illegal to dump refuse, rubbish or garbage onthe waterways or shorelines of this state. Watercraftsewage systems that dump directly into the watermust be sealed. Discharge of any sewage systeminto waterways or onto shorelines is illegal.

Accident: duties of operatorThe operator of any watercraft involved in an accident that results in injury or property damageshall immediately stop such watercraft, give hisname and address and the name and address ofthe owner to the injured party, render reasonableassistance and promptly report the incident to the

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nearest law enforcement agency. A report must befiled directly to the Arizona Game and FishDepartment within 48 hours if the accident resultedin a death. If it resulted in any injury beyond first aidor property damage of more than $500 then thereport must be filed to the department within fivedays. Reports should be sent to: Arizona Game andFish Department, Boating Law Administrator, 2221W. Greenway Road, Phoenix, AZ, 85023.

EnforcementAll peace officers of thestate, counties, and citiesshall enforce the provi-sions of Arizona RevisedStatutes, Title 5.

In the enforcement ofArizona Revised Statutes, Title 5, an officer mayissue a warning order or a citation, and order theoperator of the watercraft ashore to correct the violation.

All watercraft operators are required to stop whenhailed by a peace officer.

Carbon monoxide poisoningWhen operating any type of watercraft, be carefulwhen running downwind (the wind blowing towardthe bow), as exhaust gases may blow back onboard.The best prevention of carbon monoxide poisoningis knowledge about carbon monoxide. Everyoneshould know the symptoms of, and treatment for,carbon monoxide poisoning.

Personal watercraft (PWC)Personal watercraft meansa watercraft that is smallerthan 16 feet, propelled bymachinery poweringa water jet pump, anddesigned to be operatedby a person who sits,stands or kneels on ratherthan sitting inside the watercraft.

When operating a personal watercraft, all persons onboard shall wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved typeI, II, or III personal flotation device. PFDs must beworn and fastened according to the manufacturer’sdesign or recommended use and be adjusted for asnug fit. If the craft has a lanyard type cutoff switch,it must be attached to the operator.

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A PWC shall not be loaded beyond its safe carryingcapacity or the manufacturer’s recommended limits.

When operating a personal watercraft you must notact in a reckless or negligent manner endangeringthe life or property of another person. In Arizona,simultaneously committing two or more of the following acts is considered reckless operation:

• Operating a personal watercraft within 60 feet ofanother watercraft above wakeless speed.

• Operating a personal watercraft within the vicinityof a motorboat in a manner that obstructs the visibility of either operator.

• Heading into the wake of a motorboat that is within 60 feet and causing one-half or more of the length of the personal watercraft to leave the water.

• Maneuvering quickly, turning sharply or swervingunless the maneuver is necessary to avoid a collision within 60 feet of another watercraft.

Navigation rulesThe operator of a watercraft under power shall giveway to any craft not under power, unless the craftnot under power is overtaking the powered craft.

The operator of a watercraft shall give way towatercraft entering its danger zone, which is anarea from straight ahead to 112.5 degrees to star-board side, in cases where a collision might occur.This is roughly the same angle as the green or starboard side running lights.

A watercraft may pass on either side when overtakinganother, but the operator of the passing watercraftshall be responsible for any collision and for his wake.The passing watercraft is the give way vessel.Watercraft being overtaken shall maintain courseand speed.

Watercraft meeting head to head shall pass portsideto portside by turning starboard when it is practical todo so.

Normal traffic on waterways shall be counterclock-wise. Watercraft leaving the shoreline shall give wayto watercraft approaching the shoreline.

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The Arizona Game and Fish Department prohibits discrimination onthe basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, or disability in itsprograms and activities. If anyone believes that they have beendiscriminated against in any of the AGFD’s programs or activities,including employment practices, they may file a complaint with theDeputy Director, 2221 W. Greenway Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85023,(602) 942-3000, or with the Fish and Wildlife Service, 4040 N.Fairfax Dr. Ste. 130, Arlington, VA 22203. Persons with a disabilitymay request a reasonable accommodation or this document in analternative format by contacting the Deputy Director as listed above.

Nov 2005

azgfd.gov

Arizona Game and Fish Department2221 W. Greenway Road

Phoenix, AZ 85023(602) 942-3000

Take a boating safety class(602) 789-3235

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