Boater Education Card
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In Washington: anyone operating a powered watercraft with 15 horsepower or more must carry a Washington Boater Education Card, unless they qualify for an exemption. Operators must be at least 12 years old to operate a motorboat with 15 horsepower or more, and personal watercraft operators must be at least 14 years old. Operators born before January 1, 1955, are exempt. Learn more at: Washington Boating Laws and Regulations
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Boating is fun, but before you head out on the water, there are a few rules to remember; some are Lake Sawyer specific, others are just safe boating practices. Here are links to useful information and the particular regulations for Lake Sawyer per Black Diamond Ordinance. It's your responsibility to obey the rules on the lake to help make it a safe place for all to enjoy.
Allowable Speeding and Hours.
Vessels may exceed the speed limit of five miles per hour between the hours of:
Mondays- Friday 2 PM and 7 PM
Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays 11 AM to 3PM
The maximum speed allowable during “speeding hours” shall be thirty-six miles per hour. Vessels operating in excess of five miles per hour with or without someone in tow shall not operate between buoys and shorelines and within one hundred feet from other vessels and swimmers and shall proceed in a “counterclockwise” direction. 8.24.190 A
E-foils, PWCs, and vessels operating with someone in tow are prohibited during the hours before sunrise or after sunset, regardless of season or lake conditions. Motor-powered vessels operating after sundown shall be equipped with and have lit proper running lights. 8.24.190 A
Mondays- Friday 2 PM and 7 PM
Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays 11 AM to 3PM
The maximum speed allowable during “speeding hours” shall be thirty-six miles per hour. Vessels operating in excess of five miles per hour with or without someone in tow shall not operate between buoys and shorelines and within one hundred feet from other vessels and swimmers and shall proceed in a “counterclockwise” direction. 8.24.190 A
E-foils, PWCs, and vessels operating with someone in tow are prohibited during the hours before sunrise or after sunset, regardless of season or lake conditions. Motor-powered vessels operating after sundown shall be equipped with and have lit proper running lights. 8.24.190 A
Paddlers.
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Kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, and other paddle-craft are required to stay between the shorelines and buoys during the speeding hours. 8.24.190 A
U.S. Coast Guard Regulations for Stand Up Paddlers Paddlers 13 years of age or older must have a USCG-approved Type I, II, III, or appropriate Type V life jacket. A child 12-years old or younger must wear their USCG-approved life jacket. Carry a whistle or other sound producing device. |
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Operations Inside Buoy Areas.
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All motorized vessels shall operate at a no wake speed on shoreline side of buoy areas at all times. 8.24.190 A
No person shall cause to be tied to any marker buoy, any watercraft, boat, or similar craft or flotation device such as a tube, board, or inflatable raft. It is unlawful to move, remove, tamper with, destroy or attempt to destroy a marker buoy. 8.24.160 |
Marine Patrol Actions.
Police may, in response to vessel traffic volume, direct any vessel not remaining within the established flow of traffic to relocate its activity to the area between the shoreline and the designated buoys. 8.24.280
Towed Water Sports.
No vessel which has in tow a person shall be operated or propelled in the waters of the city unless such vessel is occupied by at least two competent persons. (Competent shall be defined as a person responsible and capable of alerting the driver of the boat of any activities that require the attention of the driver.) The primary responsibility of the driver is to operate the vessel and the other person will act as an observer of the person in tow. It is the observer’s responsibility to immediately inform the driver when a person under tow falls or is otherwise disengaged from the tow boat and to immediately raise a bright orange or red signal flag. 8.24.190 B
All persons in vessels towing persons on water skis, tubes, surfboards, or similar contrivance shall remain seated at all times. 8.24.190 B
All persons being towed by vessel shall wear personal flotation devices that are approved by the United States Coast Guard. Violation of this subsection shall constitute a civil infraction. 8.24.190 B
All persons in vessels towing persons on water skis, tubes, surfboards, or similar contrivance shall remain seated at all times. 8.24.190 B
All persons being towed by vessel shall wear personal flotation devices that are approved by the United States Coast Guard. Violation of this subsection shall constitute a civil infraction. 8.24.190 B
Required Distance from Motor-Powered Vessels to Swimmers and Other Vessels
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It is unlawful for any motor-powered vessel to be operated while the propeller is engaged within fifty feet of any swimmer or any row boat, canoe, or other vessels. 8.24.070
Use of inflatable flotation or similar devices, not propelled by instruments such as oars and paddles, including, but not limited to, tubes, boards, and inflatable rafts, are only allowed during non-speeding hours within a distance of fifty feet from shore in non-designated swimming areas. 8.24.160 B |
Boats & PWCs should stay 50 feet from any swimmer or row boat, canoe, or other vessels.
Boats & PWCs should stay 100 feet away from any boat towing a person. When possible, wake surf tow boats should stay approximately 200 feet away from the shoreline. |
Personal WaterCraft.
It is reckless for a PWC to jump the waves behind a boat that is towing a person on a tube, ski, wake or surf board. Please maintain a safe distance from other vessels.
PWC operators must wear a United States Coast Guard or UL approved personal flotation device. A person operating a personal watercraft equipped by the manufacturer with a lanyard-type engine cutoff switch shall attach the lanyard to their person, clothing, or personal flotation device as appropriate for the specific vessel. It is unlawful for any person to remove or disable a cutoff switch that was installed by the manufacturer.
A person under the age of fourteen shall not operate a personal watercraft. A parent or guardian may not authorize, knowingly permit, or by insufficient control allow a minor in their care operate a personal watercraft in violation of this section. A parent or guardian who authorizes, knowingly permits, or by insufficient control allows a minor in their care under the age of fourteen to operate a personal watercraft in violation of this subsection shall be jointly and severally liable with the minor for the penalties set forth in BDMC 8.24.
A person shall not operate a personal watercraft in a reckless manner, including recklessly weaving through congested vessel traffic, recklessly jumping the wake of another vessel unreasonably or unnecessarily close to the vessel or when visibility around the vessel is obstructed, or recklessly swerving at the last possible moment to avoid collision. 8.24.190 C
PWC operators must wear a United States Coast Guard or UL approved personal flotation device. A person operating a personal watercraft equipped by the manufacturer with a lanyard-type engine cutoff switch shall attach the lanyard to their person, clothing, or personal flotation device as appropriate for the specific vessel. It is unlawful for any person to remove or disable a cutoff switch that was installed by the manufacturer.
A person under the age of fourteen shall not operate a personal watercraft. A parent or guardian may not authorize, knowingly permit, or by insufficient control allow a minor in their care operate a personal watercraft in violation of this section. A parent or guardian who authorizes, knowingly permits, or by insufficient control allows a minor in their care under the age of fourteen to operate a personal watercraft in violation of this subsection shall be jointly and severally liable with the minor for the penalties set forth in BDMC 8.24.
A person shall not operate a personal watercraft in a reckless manner, including recklessly weaving through congested vessel traffic, recklessly jumping the wake of another vessel unreasonably or unnecessarily close to the vessel or when visibility around the vessel is obstructed, or recklessly swerving at the last possible moment to avoid collision. 8.24.190 C
Aircraft on the Water.
All vessels or watercraft shall keep clear of seaplanes landing within any area now or hereafter set aside for such purpose. All vessels or watercraft shall yield to seaplanes that are preparing to land, landing, taking off, or maneuvering on the water and shall maintain a safe distance so as not to create a collision hazard or hazardous wake. 8.24.195
E-Foiling.
E-foils shall yield right-of-way to all non-motorized watercraft. swimmers, and anglers at all times.
E-foil operation is prohibited in the following areas:
Within 200 feet of designated swimming areas
Within 100 feet of shore lines, docks, boat ramps, or anchored vessels, except when traveling to or from the shore or dock
In-posted no-wake or restricted zones, except when traveling to or from the shore or dock
During speeding-hours, e-foils shall maintain a minimum 100-foot lateral distance from all other vessels and swimmers and avoid high-traffic corridors when practicable.
During non-speeding hours, e-foils must operate below 36mph and counter-clockwise. E-foils must operate at 5mph or less at all times between buoys and the shoreline or dock. During congested conditions, authorized enforcement officials may temporarily restrict e-foil operation or limit use to specific areas of the lake, or require operators to return to shore based volume of boat traffic; presence of swimmers, paddlecraft or special events.
E-foil operators must be a minimum of fourteen years of age or older. Operators must wear a U.S. Coast Guard- approved personal flotation device (PFD). E-foils must be equipped with an emergency shut-off or kill switch; and a sound-producing device such as a whistle or horn. 8.24.185
E-foil operation is prohibited in the following areas:
Within 200 feet of designated swimming areas
Within 100 feet of shore lines, docks, boat ramps, or anchored vessels, except when traveling to or from the shore or dock
In-posted no-wake or restricted zones, except when traveling to or from the shore or dock
During speeding-hours, e-foils shall maintain a minimum 100-foot lateral distance from all other vessels and swimmers and avoid high-traffic corridors when practicable.
During non-speeding hours, e-foils must operate below 36mph and counter-clockwise. E-foils must operate at 5mph or less at all times between buoys and the shoreline or dock. During congested conditions, authorized enforcement officials may temporarily restrict e-foil operation or limit use to specific areas of the lake, or require operators to return to shore based volume of boat traffic; presence of swimmers, paddlecraft or special events.
E-foil operators must be a minimum of fourteen years of age or older. Operators must wear a U.S. Coast Guard- approved personal flotation device (PFD). E-foils must be equipped with an emergency shut-off or kill switch; and a sound-producing device such as a whistle or horn. 8.24.185
Operation of Vessels.
It is unlawful for any person to operate a vessel in a reckless manner. No vessel shall be operated in a manner so as to create tight circles in the water, or “donuts.” 8.24.130
It is unlawful for any operator of a watercraft, vessel, e-foil, or personal watercraft to operate such craft in an inattentive manner, meaning operation that is not reasonable and prudent under the conditions or that indicates a failure to maintain proper situational awareness and active monitoring of passengers and of the water for potential hazards, including but not limited to other lake users or vessels. 8.24.215
It is unlawful for any operator of a watercraft, vessel, e-foil, or personal watercraft to operate such craft in an inattentive manner, meaning operation that is not reasonable and prudent under the conditions or that indicates a failure to maintain proper situational awareness and active monitoring of passengers and of the water for potential hazards, including but not limited to other lake users or vessels. 8.24.215
Noise Restrictions.
Sound from any audio sound system operated at volumes so as to be audible greater than fifty feet from the watercraft itself or which unreasonably interferes with the peace, comfort and repose of others, including owners or possessors of real property. 8.24.200 B
Boat Responsibly. Stay Alert. Stay Sober.
It is unlawful for a person to operate a vessel while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, cannabis, or any drug. Boating impaired is dangerous to others and yourself. To ensure safety, have a sober skipper. Being alcohol-free is the safest way to enjoy the water. 8.24.110
Courteous Boating Practices.
- Use caution and respect the other boaters on the water.
- Keep it Family Friendly - Sound travels over water, keep your music at a reasonable level and avoid explicit lyrics.
- Skip The Hot Laps - Avoid traveling at high speed unless you are towing. The high velocity waves unsettle the lake unnecessarily.
- Waterskiers prefer calm water. Wait for them to finish before starting to surf, tube, or use a PWC.
- Do Not Overweight Surf Boats beyond factory ballast.
- Avoid Fast Turnarounds when a rider or skier falls.
Required Equipment.
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Know the Law |
Contact the Authorities |