What is the fastest legal speed you may operate your vessel when passing within 200 feet of a dock or marina?

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Useful Links
Speed limits
Speed restrictions
Four-knot speed restriction
Seven-knot speed restriction
Ten-knot speed restriction
Restricted areas

How can I Request a “Slow Speed, No Wake” barrel?
A1: The Marine Services Bureau determines whether requests for Slow Speed/No Wake Buoys are necessary. If a request is approved, the Marine Services Bureau will coordinate with the agency in charge of placing Slow Speed/No Wake Buoys.

To make a request for a Slow Speed/No Wake Buoy, you must contact the Marine Services Bureau Station that is closest to the location of the requested Slow Speed/No Wake Buoy. To locate a Marine Services Bureau Station, please click HERE.
I found an abandoned boat, can I use it as my own?
A2: There are steps that one is required to take prior to using a vessel as their own. Follow the steps listed in the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission’s “Application for Title to an Abandoned Vessel” at: https://www.state.nj.us/mvcbiz/Abandoned/Abandoned_vessels.htm
What is “Slow Speed, No-Wake?”
A3: Speed or No-wake is regulated by both, Title 12:7-45 Speed of Power Vessels and Title 13:82-1.7 Speed. It states that the speed of a power vessel should be regulated to avoid injury or damage to property. Additionally, if you are within 200ft of any marina, pier, dock or waft; work floats or barges engaged in work; through bridge openings less than 400ft wide; through waterways less than 200ft wide; vessels not under command; any vessel with flashing emergency lights activated. What does this mean? Within 200ft of any of the above listed conditions you are required to operate your vessel at minimum headway speed, regardless of the presence of a sign or buoy. If you are causing a wake, you are going to fast!

Who has the right-of-way?

A2: The right-of-way is determined by International and Inland Navigation Rules, as well as, New Jersey State Rules. A copy of the United States Coast Guard’s Navigation Rules and Regulations Handbook can be downloaded in PDF format at: https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=navRuleChanges

New Jersey rules can be found by clicking on the following links: Title 12 Chapter 7 [pdf] and Title 13 Chapter 82 [pdf]

Also, see the below diagrams for more common meeting situations.

Rule 15: Crossing Situation:

What is the appropriate action of each vessel operator?

In a crossing situation, the vessel which has the other on its starboard side shall keep out of the way

Rule 14: Head-on Situation

What is the appropriate action of each vessel operator?

Each shall alter their course to starboard
When a vessel is in any doubt if the condition exists, assume the condition does exist and act accordingly

A boat is drifting in the channel and I am trying to get by it, who has the right of way?

A1: When a power vessel is making way and encounters a power vessel under way but not making way, drifting, all navigation rules and State rules apply. Vessels are responsible for their wake and any damage caused to the vessel being passed or injuries to its. (N.J.A.C. 13:82-1.7) Likewise, a vessel that is underway, but not making way, drifting, should not unreasonably interfere with another vessels or free and proper use of the waterway. (N.J.A.C. 13:82-1.11)

Useful Links

Find out about speed limits, speed restrictions and restricted zones when out on the water.

Speed limits

Speed limits apply where high-speed boats may be a hazard to other water users. Various harbours, areas of the Port Adelaide River, metropolitan beaches and some country beaches, and sections of the River Murray are subject to speed limits.

If you intend boating, waterskiing, or using a personal watercraft in unfamiliar areas, make sure you find out about any speed restrictions by contacting Marine Safety.

Always drive slowly when visibility is low. For example, at night, and in rain, fog, mist, smoke, or glare.

Speed restrictions

Four-knot speed restriction

A four-knot speed restriction applies:

within 50 metres of
- a person in the water
- a vessel or buoy displaying a flag indicating that there is a diver below (international code flag A)
- a person in or on a canoe, kayak, surf-ski, surfboard, sailboard, or similar small unpowered recreational vessel
within 30 metres of any other vessel, whether stationary or underway, that may be adversely affected by your wash
within 100 metres of a ferry crossing on the River Murray
within a mooring area or boat haven
to waters within a number of marinas and restricted areas throughout South Australia - limits in such areas should be clearly signposted, but it is your responsibility to know the restrictions that apply wherever you go boating
within 30 metres of a jetty, wharf, or other places at which a boat is being launched or retrieved.

A four-knot speed restriction also applies to all personal watercraft, (jet-ski or wave runner), within 200 metres of the metropolitan shoreline. This includes restrictions between Outer Harbor southern breakwater, the southern end of Sellicks Beach, and the backwaters of the River Murray - unless zoned otherwise.

Similar restrictions apply to beachfront areas on many popular swimming and tourist beaches. These areas are generally well signposted but check with the local council about speed restrictions that may apply wherever you intend to operate a personal watercraft.

Seven-knot speed restriction

A seven-knot speed limit applies in some aquatic reserves, harbours, and boat havens and will be indicated by signs ashore or on the water.

A seven-knot speed restriction also applies to some parts of the Barker Inlet and North Arm of the Port River for the safety of all water users and marine life.

Port River speed limit map

Ten-knot speed restriction

A 10-knot speed restriction applies while a boat, not a personal watercraft, is being operated by an unlicensed person - minimum age 12 years with a licensed person in charge. Personal watercraft may only be operated by an unlicensed person as part of a small vessel hire and drive business that has been licensed by the Department for Planning, Transport, and Infrastructure.

Similar speed restrictions also apply to many local areas. These restrictions are often detailed on signs located along the shoreline or near boat ramps.

Restricted areas

There are many areas along the South Australian coastline and inland waterways that have restrictions on the type of boating activities that can be carried out. Signs are in place to advise about restrictions. There are penalties if you do not observe the controls or speed restrictions provided on these signs.

California law designates the following dangerous operating practices as illegal.

Improper Speed or Distance is not maintaining a proper speed and/or distance while operating a vessel. Specifically, it is illegal to operate any motorized vessel:

At speeds that are not reasonable and prudent based on boating traffic, weather conditions, visibility, or other potential hazards (if no limits are posted, operate your vessel so that it does not endanger others and that you are able to stop your vessel safely)
At more than “slow, no wake speed” within posted “No Wake” areas
Such that it causes damage to a person or property with a vessel’s wake in posted “No Wake” areas
At more than 5 miles per hour:
- Within 200 feet of swimming areas, diving platforms, passenger landings, or areas where vessels are moored
- Within 100 feet of swimmers

“slow, no wake speed” A speed at which the vessel does not produce a wake, not to exceed 5 miles per hour

Wisconsin law states that these dangerous operating practices are illegal.

Improper Speed or Distance is not maintaining a proper speed and/or distance while operating a vessel. Specifically, it is illegal to:

Operate a vessel at a distance from other vessels or at a speed that exceeds safe and reasonable limits given the waterway traffic, marked speed limits, weather, and other boating conditions.
Exceed the speeds posted or charted in any specific zone or area.
Operate a vessel repeatedly in a circuitous manner within 200 feet of another vessel or person in the water.
Operate a vessel within 100 feet of any dock, raft, pier, or restricted area on any lake at greater than “slow, no wake speed”.
Operate a vessel at greater than “slow, no wake speed” on lakes that are 50 acres or less and have public access, unless such lakes serve as thoroughfares between two or more navigable lakes.
Operate a vessel at greater than “slow, no wake speed” within 100 feet of a swimmer, unless the vessel is assisting the swimmer.
Operate a vessel at greater than “slow, no wake speed” too close to the shoreline of any lake.
- For motorboats other than PWC, too close means within 100 feet of the shoreline.
- For PWC, too close means within 200 feet of the shoreline.
- This law does not apply in areas marked as pickup and drop-off locations for water-skiing.
Operate a vessel faster than “slow, no wake speed” within 100 feet of a patrol boat displaying emergency lights.