Boarded!!

Michigan law designates the following dangerous operating practices as illegal.
Riding on the Bow, Gunwales, or Transom is allowing passengers to ride on a motorboat in places where there may be a chance of falling overboard. While operating at greater than “slow, no wake speed,” persons on a motorboat may not sit, stand, or walk on any portion of a motorboat not designed for that purpose. This includes riding on the gunwale.

In Maryland, illegal at any speed; Michigan illegal only on plane. I guess that's the difference.
 
Pirate Lady said:
Michigan law designates the following dangerous operating practices as illegal.
Riding on the Bow, Gunwales, or Transom is allowing passengers to ride on a motorboat in places where there may be a chance of falling overboard. While operating at greater than “slow, no wake speed,” persons on a motorboat may not sit, stand, or walk on any portion of a motorboat not designed for that purpose. This includes riding on the gunwale.

In Maryland, illegal at any speed; Michigan illegal only on plane. I guess that's the difference.
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That's a big difference...
 
MonacoMike said:
I was told in our area that they often have a quota to pull over and inspect. Could have been making quota…
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And training. It seemed like one of the guys was on his 1st day. On a side note, when you guys say "riding on a bow" are you meaning up there on the bow pad, or feet hanging over the sides? I've never been boarded before, and again, the CG guy in charge said NOTHING about them on the bow. I feel like it was a "we got training (and maybe quota) to achieve, there is the only boat within miles" I will also say they acted like they've never been on a boat our size. The guy asked me about flame arrestors on my motors...
 
I don’t know why they didn’t say anything but my guess… CG enforce federal laws not state laws, so they probably don’t care about people riding up there. Well, they probably care, but since it’s a state law it’s not their concern. Just a guess.
 
Pirate Lady said:
Michigan law designates the following dangerous operating practices as illegal.
Riding on the Bow, Gunwales, or Transom is allowing passengers to ride on a motorboat in places where there may be a chance of falling overboard. While operating at greater than “slow, no wake speed,” persons on a motorboat may not sit, stand, or walk on any portion of a motorboat not designed for that purpose. This includes riding on the gunwale.

In Maryland, illegal at any speed; Michigan illegal only on plane. I guess that's the difference.
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Slow, no wake speed speed seems reasonable. Complete bad (illegal at any speed) seems not. Practical application: sending someone to the bow/foredeck to assist in mooring/docking operations. Pretty hard to do if it's illegal at any speed.

That said, I don't like to have any passengers on my bow when underway even when docking. Makes me nervous. Less so with my bigger boat that has side walkways and high rails, but it still feels uncomfortable.
 
Phil S said:
Is there some official definition of what constitutes a legal bow seat?
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Depends on the actual state language. Some have language like "persons on a motorboat may not sit, stand, or walk on any portion of a motorboat not designed for that purpose. This includes riding on the gunwale." Others might say things like "No operator of a vessel under power shall allow any person to be on a decked-over bow of such vessel while underway unless the bow of the vessel is equipped with a handrail that encompasses the bow, and all persons on the bow are inward of such handrail. On vessels under power with open bows not decked-over, no operator shall allow any person to sit or stand on the gunwale at the bow of the vessel while underway. These provisions shall not apply to persons in or on the bow of vessels engaged in anchoring, mooring, or docking activities, and when the vessel is proceeding at a dead slow speed."
 
Phil S said:
Is there some official definition of what constitutes a legal bow seat?
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It may vary by boat. I imagine it has to be a built-in seat intended to be occupied while underway. I'd say a bow lounge cushion doesn't make the cut.

FWIW, Sea Ray manuals specify what areas of the boat are considered occupiable when underway. Here's an example from the manual for my 2006 270 AJ.

upload_2022-6-6_16-12-28.png


And here's one from a 2022 SLX 280, which clearly shows the front seats are made to occupied when underway.
upload_2022-6-6_16-15-25.png
 
b_arrington said:
Slow, no wake speed speed seems reasonable. Complete bad (illegal at any speed) seems not. Practical application: sending someone to the bow/foredeck to assist in mooring/docking operations. Pretty hard to do if it's illegal at any speed.

That said, I don't like to have any passengers on my bow when underway even when docking. Makes me nervous. Less so with my bigger boat that has side walkways and high rails, but it still feels uncomfortable.
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I can't say in all cases, but usually there's an exclusion for things like mooring or docking.

But it's amazing the number of times you see folks up on plane with people - even kids - up on the bow.
 
Got my safety sticker last weekend, the guy that visited our marina must be very lazy, he never even gets on the boats, just sits under our tiki bar. $20 bucks and a beer will get you a sticker.
However I always take the sheet he fills out and do my own check list, this year all new CO2 detectors and fire extinguishers.
Have only been stopped once!
 
J.Wilt said:
Got my safety sticker last weekend, the guy that visited our marina must be very lazy, he never even gets on the boats, just sits under our tiki bar. $20 bucks and a beer will get you a sticker.
However I always take the sheet he fills out and do my own check list, this year all new CO2 detectors and fire extinguishers.
Have only been stopped once!
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Minor Hijack
Best of all every Vessel Safety Check is 100% Free of charge!

http://cgaux.org/vsc/
 
Pirate Lady said:
Completely illegal in Maryland, will definitely get you pulled over.
"The practice, called bow riding, is dangerous and sometimes deadly. And in Maryland and many other states, it is illegal.
Bow riding is considered reckless and negligent operation under Maryland boating laws,” explains Superintendent Col. Robert “Ken” Ziegler Jr. “The penalty is up to $500 for a first offense, but often—and sadly—the ultimate price is much higher. The solution to this problem is simple: Ride Inside.”
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Is this illegal in MD in a no wake zone? (serious question)
bow.jpg
 
Wrap around hand rails come into the equation in some states, also. No rail, no riding.
 
J.Wilt said:
Got my safety sticker last weekend, the guy that visited our marina must be very lazy, he never even gets on the boats, just sits under our tiki bar. $20 bucks and a beer will get you a sticker.
However I always take the sheet he fills out and do my own check list, this year all new CO2 detectors and fire extinguishers.
Have only been stopped once!
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FYI, the form because guard auxiliary fills out is available on their website. I use it every year at lunch.
 
In your post #1 you mentioned the courtesy “sticker was on the other side”. I was told years ago that they don’t care about the sticker. “Safety” inspections is just the reason they give to get on our boats. In this neck of the woods, illegals and drugs come over on boats from Canada and the majority of illegal guns coming into Western NY (Buffalo) come in from Ohio and PA. They are always very professional and courteous.
 
Bow seats, as in "Bow Rider" are legal without question. Sitting on the bow of a closed bow boat, while underway, is not legal. Forget what the cops say its just plain common sense.

In my 60+ years of boating I have been pulled over 4 times. The State Police, the local cops and Homeland security. In the latter case the "boys" had their hands on their Glocks and the 50 cal on the bow was manned.

In each case, I had the right paperwork, had insurance, life preservers, etc. and I gave them no hassle. I got no hassle in return. As a matter of fact, the 4 guys with Glocks on the bow were the nicest of all.

Take a safety course, obey all the laws, don't drink and drive and make sure your equipment is correct. Those guys are out to help you, not to bust your chops. If something fails, you simply didn't do your part.
 
There are lots of boats that have bow seating that is legal to use underway. Chris Craft had built in seats on their bow on many models as did Hatteras…

And just like another thread we had recently I only believe what is in writing. I couldn’t care less what any officer of any department says. Show me the words in the law or regulations. Been though many hobbies in my life, had to carry a copy of bicycle laws because cops had no idea but harassed us anyway acting like they did. Gun owners carry gun laws because even on guns many cops have no idea what the laws are.
 
I have a Regal 36XO on my dock...I'm sure this would satisfy the law...

36xo_beauty_21_0835-2k.jpg


That said - in 8 years on the big lake (3 of which being next to the USCG station), we've yet to be boarded...but when we see they are hanging out in the channel stopping boats - we typically wait a bit to go out!

They did stop my slip neighbor though, as he was coming in for the season. He passed with flying colors. A few years ago they stopped by to do a vessel safety check in our slip...the kids didn't believe me when I said they were coming!

We always wave to them when they go by - whether we are chilling in the slip, out on the big boat or playing in the dinghy....can't hurt to be recognized...
 
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