Los Angeles County Municipal Code Part 3 Boating Traffic Control

The harbor master shall have authority to control water-borne traffic in any portion of the waters of a harbor, waterway or maritime facility under his jurisdiction by use of authorized state regulatory markers, signals, orders or directions and any time preceding, during and after any race, regatta, parade or other special event held in any portion of the waters of a harbor, waterway or maritime facility, or at any other time when the harbor master deems it necessary in the interest of safety of persons and vessels or other property, and it is unlawful for any person to wilfully fail or refuse to comply with any authorized state regulatory marker utilized by the harbor master , or with any signal, orders or directions of the harbor master.

(Ord. 86-0039 § 15, 1986: Ord. 9359 Art. 3 § 301, 1967.)

A.

The entire water area of each county harbor, waterway or maritime facility is designated as a speed zone in which no person, except a public officer in the performance of his duty, shall operate a vessel or cause it to be operated at a greater speed.

B.

The prima facie speed limit in all areas set forth in subsection A of this section shall be five nautical miles per hour, unless posted differently by the authorities controlling said waters, in which event, the prima facie speed limit shall be posted.

C.

No person shall operate a vessel upon the waters set forth in subsection A of this section in such a manner that the speed thereof creates an unnecessary or excessive wake, except a public officer in the performance of his duties.

D.

No person shall operate or permit to be operated any vessel at any speed while any person on board said vessel shall be positioned in such a manner as to endanger said person.

E.

No person shall operate a vessel upon the waters set forth in subsection A of this section at a speed which shows a wilful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.

(Ord. 86-0039 § 16, 1986: Ord. 9359 Art. 3 § 302, 1967.)

No power-driven vessel shall be operated on Lake Huges at a speed in excess of five miles per hour.

(Ord. 85-0015 § 1, 1985.)

A.

It is unlawful for any person to engage or participate in a boat race, regatta, demonstration, exhibition or other special event unless so authorized by permit of the director and/or harbor master.

B.

If the harbor master finds that conditions in any particular harbor, waterway, maritime facility or portion thereof at a particular time can be so regulated that the participation of any vessel or group of vessels, or of certain classes, sizes or types thereof, in a boat race, regatta, demonstration, exhibition or other special event will not create any danger to persons or property, and will not unduly interfere with the normal use of such harbor, maritime facility or waterway, he may grant a temporary permit authorizing such vessels to participate in such special events at such times and under such conditions and restrictions as he may prescribe. A person may operate a vessel so authorized to participate in the manner prescribed by the permit so long as he complies in all respects with the terms, conditions and restrictions of such permit. Permits granted under the provisions of this section are immediately revocable upon determination by the harbor master that a dangerous or intolerable situation exists during the conduct of the special event.

(Ord. 86-0039 § 17, 1986: Ord. 9359 Art. 3 § 303, 1967.)

It is unlawful for any person to operate on the waters of any harbor, waterway or maritime facility any power or motordriven vessel that does not have a reverse gear or the means to reverse and stop the vessel, except when participating as a contestant per subsection B of Section 19.12.630, or as permitted by the harbor master.

(Ord. 86-0039 § 18, 1986: Ord. 9359 Art. 3 § 304, 1967.)