Richmond Municipal Code Ch. 5.04 Boats and Water Skis, Use and Operation of on Public Waterways

This chapter shall be applicable to and govern all public waters or portions thereof situated within the boundaries of the City of Richmond over which the City of Richmond has police power jurisdiction, either exclusively or concurrently with the United States or the State of California, or both, insofar as the provisions of this chapter do not conflict with applicable statutes or regulations of the United States or the State of California.

It shall be unlawful for any person to operate any vessel or aquaplane in a manner or at a rate of speed which endangers the life, limb or property of any person, taking into account weather conditions, light conditions, the ordinary use of water navigated, the depth of the water, the proximity to shore, docks, swimmers, boats and other obstacles, the condition of the vessel operated and any other factor which a reasonable, prudent person would consider in the safe operation of such vessel. Operation of a vessel or aquaplane under any of the following conditions shall constitute prima facie evidence that the same is being operated in violation of this section:

At a speed in excess of five nautical miles per hour in any of the following areas:

(1) Within any area designated as a "slow area."

(2) Within one hundred feet of the shore at any place except while in the act of launching or landing an aquaplane or water skier.

(3) Within one hundred feet of any watercraft sixteen feet in length or smaller, which might be seriously endangered by the action caused by the wake created by the passing vessel.

(4) Within two hundred feet of any dock, wharf, launching facility, way or landing float at which vessels are launched, landed or made fast or which is used for the embarkation or discharge of passengers, except that this provision shall not apply to a launching float designated and used exclusively for aquaplane or water skiing purposes.

(5) Within two hundred feet of any authorized boat, police boat or any other boat while said boat or boats and occupants are in the act of rescue operations, dragging or diving for bodies or equipment, provided such boats are marked.

It shall be unlawful for any person owning, possessing or in charge of any boat to knowingly permit such boat to be operated in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter.

No provision in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit or restrict the operation of any vessel, aquaplane or water skier actually competing in a race, regatta or water show over a marked racing course which is previously authorized in writing and actively supervised by the public agency having jurisdiction over the waters of such racing course or its duly authorized agent for such purpose, nor to conflict with any of the rules adopted by the agency or its agent supervising such race governing the type, size, construction, equipment of the boats, the navigation regulations and other rules governing the conduct of such races.

The Council of the City of Richmond by resolution as to waters under its jurisdiction and the authorized representative of any other public agency as to water under its jurisdiction may designate and cause to be appropriately marked boat launching areas, areas designed exclusively for swimming, areas where swimming is prohibited, areas where boats are prohibited, areas of restricted speed or "slow areas" and other boating and personnel control signs and devices and change same from time to time as the public safety and welfare may require, and when so marked, it shall be unlawful for any person to fail to comply with such designations.

(Source: Ordinance No. 1719)