36 C.F.R. PART 3—BOATING AND WATER USE ACTIVITIES
Title 36 - Parks, Forests, and Public Property
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1, 1a–2(h), 3.
Source: 48 FR 30290, June 30, 1983, unless otherwise noted.
(a) In addition to the regulations contained in this part, title 14 United States Code, title 33 Code of Federal Regulations, title 46 Code of Federal Regulations, title 49 Code of Federal Regulations, and the laws and regulations of the State within whose exterior boundaries a park area or portion thereof is located shall govern water use, vessels, and their operation and are adopted as a part of these regulations. (b) As adopted herein, Federal regulations authorizing an action by the “captain of the port” or another officer or employee of the United States Coast Guard, authorize a like action by the superintendent. (a) The distinctive identification insignia of National Park Service vessels shall consist of the following: (1) Three adjacent diagonal stripes running from the waterline to the gunwale on both port and starboard topsides approximately one-quarter of the length from the bow. The stripes are set at an angle of 30° from the vertical, approximately parallel to the bow. The insignia consists of a broad forest green stripe followed by one narrow white and one narrow forest green stripe. Width of the broad green stripe shall be (2) The National Park Service arrowhead symbol, described in 36 CFR part 11, centered within the broad green diagonal stripe. (3) The words “National Park Service” in contrasting color to vessel hull and utilized in place of State identification/registration numbers on the bow. (b) Displaying identifying markings identical to or resembling those prescribed for National Park Service vessels is prohibited. The superintendent may require a permit for use of a vessel within a park area in accordance with the criteria and procedures of §1.6 of this chapter. [51 FR 29470, Aug. 18, 1986] (a) All incidents involving an accident, collision, fire injury or other casualty shall be reported to the superintendent within 24 hours. Filing this report does not satisfy applicable United States Coast Guard, State and county accident report requirements. (b) Failure to report an incident to the superintendent as soon as possible is prohibited. (a) Authorized persons may at any time stop or board a vessel to examine documents, licenses or permits relating to operation of the vessel, and to inspect such vessel to determine compliance with regulations pertaining to safety equipment and operation. (b) An authorized person who observes a vessel being operated without sufficient lifesaving or firefighting devices, or in an overloaded or unsafe condition, as defined in United States Coast Guard or National Park Service regulations, may direct the operator to take immediate and reasonable steps necessary for the safety of those aboard the vessel, including but not limited to directing the operator to: (1) Correct the hazardous condition immediately; (2) Proceed to a mooring, dock, or anchorage; or (3) Suspend further use of the boat until the hazardous condition is corrected. (c) Violation of directions issued in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section is prohibited. The following are prohibited: (a) Operating a vessel, or knowingly allowing another person to operate a vessel, in a reckless or negligent manner, or in a manner so as to endanger or be likely to endanger a person or property. (b) Operating a vessel when under the influence of alcohol or controlled substance to a degree that may endanger oneself or another person or damage property or park resources. (c) Failing to observe restrictions established by a regulatory marker. (d) Operating a vessel in excess of 5 mph or creating a wake: (1) In areas so designated; or (2) Within 100 feet of a diver's marker, downed water skier or swimmer. (e) Operating a vessel not propelled by hand within 500 feet of a location designated as a swimming beach. This prohibition does not apply in locations such as rivers, channels, or narrow coves where passage is restricted to less than 500 feet. In such restrictive locations, the operation of a vessel in excess of 5 mph or creating a wake is prohibited. (f) Allowing a person to ride on the gunwales, transom, or on the decking over the bow of a vessel propelled by machinery, operating in excess of 5 mph; Provided, however, That this provision shall not apply under the following circumstances: (1) When that portion of the vessel was designed and constructed for the purpose of carrying passengers safely at all speeds, (2) When the vessel is being maneuvered for anchoring, mooring or casting off moorings. (g) Attaching a vessel to or interfering with a marker, navigation buoy or other navigational aid. (h) Using trailers to launch or recover vessels, except at designated launching sites. (i) Launching a vessel propelled by machinery at other than designated launch sites. (j) Operating a vessel propelled by machinery on waters not directly accessible by road. (k) Launching or operating airboats. (l) Operating a vessel in excess of designated size, length or width restrictions. Operating a vessel in or upon inland waters so as to exceed a noise level of 82 decibels measured at a distance of 82 feet (25 meters) from the vessel is prohibited. Testing procedures employed to determine such noise levels shall be in accordance with or equal to the Exterior Sound Level Measurement Procedure for Vessels recommended by the Society of Automotive Engineers SAE-J34a (Revised April, 1977). (a) The towing of persons by vessels is prohibited, except in designated waters. (b) Where towing is authorized, the following are prohibited: (1) Towing between the hours of sunset and sunrise. (2) Towing without one person (other than the operator) observing the progress of the person being towed. (3) Towing a person who is not wearing a personal flotation device. If the person being towed is wearing a flotation device not approved by the United States Coast Guard, there must be an approved personal flotation device readily available in the towing vessel. (4) Towing or being towed in channels or within 500 feet of areas designated as harbors, swimming beaches, or mooring areas, or within 100 feet of a person fishing or swimming, or a diver's marker. (a) The following are prohibited: (1) Swimming or bathing in locations designated as closed. (2) Swimming or bathing in violation of designated restrictions. (3) Swimming from vessels which are underway, except in circumstances where a capable operator is on board and all propulsion machinery is off and/or sails are furled. (b) The superintendent may prohibit the use of flotation devices, glass containers, kites, or incompatible sporting activities within locations designated as swimming beaches. The use of surfboards and similar rigid devices within locations designated as swimming beaches is prohibited. The following are prohibited: (a) SCUBA diving and snorkeling within locations designated as swimming, docking, or mooring areas, except in accordance with conditions which may be established by the superintendent. (b) Diving in waters open to the use of vessels, other than those propelled by hand, without displaying a standard diver flag. (a) Is personal watercraft (PWC) use prohibited in units of the National Park System? Yes, the use of personal watercraft in units of the National Park System is prohibited, except in designated areas. (b) How will the National Park Service designate areas for PWC use? We will designate areas for personal watercraft through the (c) How does the grace period apply? For the park areas identified in Tables 1 and 2 of this section, this section provides a two-year grace period (April 20, 2000 to April 22, 2002) from the requirements of this section. During the grace period no authorizing administrative action is needed to allow PWCs to continue to operate in the park areas identified in this section. Table 2 follows: [65 FR 15089, Mar. 21, 2000]
Title 36: Parks, Forests, and Public Property
PART 3—BOATING AND WATER USE ACTIVITIES
Section Contents
§ 3.1 Applicable regulations.
§ 3.2 National Park Service distinctive identification.
§ 3.3 Permits.
§ 3.4 Accidents.
§ 3.5 Inspections.
§ 3.6 Prohibited operations.
§ 3.7 Noise abatement.
§ 3.20 Water skiing.
§ 3.21 Swimming and bathing.
§ 3.22 Surfing.
§ 3.23 SCUBA and snorkeling.
§ 3.24 Regulation of personal watercraft (PWC).
§ 3.1 Applicable regulations.
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§ 3.2 National Park Service distinctive identification.
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§ 3.3 Permits.
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§ 3.4 Accidents.
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§ 3.5 Inspections.
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§ 3.6 Prohibited operations.
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§ 3.7 Noise abatement.
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§ 3.20 Water skiing.
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§ 3.21 Swimming and bathing.
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§ 3.22 Surfing.
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§ 3.23 SCUBA and snorkeling.
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§ 3.24 Regulation of personal watercraft (PWC).
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Table 1_Park Designated PWC Use------------------------------------------------------------------------ Name Water type State------------------------------------------------------------------------Amistad National Recreation Area........ Impounded Lake. TXBighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. Impounded Lake. MTChickasaw National Recreation Area...... Impounded Lake. OKCurecanti National Recreation Area...... Impounded Lake. COGateway National Recreation Area........ Open Ocean/Bay. NYGlen Canyon National Recreation Area.... Impounded Lake. AZ/UTLake Mead National Recreation Area...... Impounded Lake. AZ/NVLake Meredith National Recreation Area.. Impounded Lake. TXLake Roosevelt National Recreation Area. Impounded Lake. WAWhiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Impounded Lake. CA Recreation Area.------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 2_Special Regulation PWC Use------------------------------------------------------------------------ Name Water type State------------------------------------------------------------------------I. National Seashores: Assateague Island National Seashore. Open Ocean/Bay. MD/VA Cape Cod National Seashore.......... Open Ocean/Bay. MA Cape Lookout National Seashore...... Open Ocean/Bay. NC Cumberland Island National Seashore. Open Ocean/Bay. GA Fire Island National Seashore....... Open Ocean/Bay. NY Gulf Islands National Seashore...... Open Ocean/Bay. FL/MS Padre Island National Seashore...... Open Ocean/Bay. TXII. National Lakeshores: Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.... Natural Lake... IN Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore... Natural Lake... MIIII. National Recreation Area: Delaware River.......... PA/NJ Water Gap National Recreation Area.IV. National Preserve: Big Thicket River.......... TX National Preserve.------------------------------------------------------------------------
