Yolo County Municipal Code Ch. 2 Public Boating Facilities

The provisions of this chapter are adopted pursuant to the provisions of Section 660 of the Harbors and Navigation Code of the State for the purpose of establishing and maintaining boating regulation signs at public boating facilities along the Sacramento River. (§ 1, Ord. 552)

For the purposes of this chapter, unless otherwise apparent from the context, certain words and phrases used in this chapter are defined as follows:

(a) “Powerboat” shall mean any vessel propelled by machinery, whether or not such machinery is the principal source of propulsion.

(b) “Public boating facility” shall mean any marina, way, landing float, launching site, wharf, runway, dock, or other place commonly used for embarkation upon, or debarkation from, the Sacramento River by powerboat, which facility is available for the use of the public, either with or without the payment of consideration. (§§ 2 and 3, Ord. 552)

Every person conducting, operating, or maintaining a public boating facility shall, by June 15, 1966, install and thereafter maintain boating regulation signs, as provided in this chapter, on the premises of such public boating facility. (§ 4, Ord. 552)

The Parks Department shall have prepared boating regulation signs in sufficient number to supply all the public boating facilities which are located within the County. The signs shall be constructed of metal and shall be twenty-four (24”) inches by eighteen (18”) inches in dimensions. The following legend shall be printed on such signs in black on a white background surrounded by a one and one-half (1 1/2”) inch orange border:

NOTICE TO BOATERS

State law makes it a misdemeanor to operate your powerboat in excess of five (5) nautical miles per hour when you are:

(1) Within 100 feet of bathers;

(2) Within 200 feet of a bathing beach;

(3) Within 200 feet of a swimming float, diving platform, or lifeline; or

(4) Within 200 feet of a way or landing float to which boats are made fast or which is used for the embarkation or debarkation of passengers.

Observe these rules.

(§ 5, Ord. 552)

Boating regulation signs shall be prominently displayed in such a manner as to be clearly visible to all persons embarking upon the river by boat. (§ 4, Ord. 552)

The Board hereby finds and declares that the establishment and maintenance of boating regulation signs, as provided in this chapter, is necessary and appropriate for establish the preservation and protection of the public health, safety, and general welfare for the following reasons:

(a) Powerboats moving at a high speed constitute an extreme danger to persons engaged in bathing, swimming, or diving who may be struck by a moving boat. Powerboats moving at a high speed also create wakes and turbulence in the water which in turn cause the movement and surge of landing floats, making conditions dangerous for persons embarking or disembarking from their own craft.

(b) Although Section 267 of the Harbors and Navigation Code of the State sets forth special speed limits for powerboats operated upon navigable waters, and although such speed limits are applicable to the waters of the Sacramento River located within the County, many persons who operate powerboats are unaware of the provisions of said Section 267.

(c) In recent years there have been numerous reports by citizens of violations of the provisions of Section 267 of the Harbors and Navigation Code of the State along and upon the waters of the Sacramento River within the County. By posting the provisions of said Section 267 in places used by the boating public, potential violations of said Section 267 may be averted through the education of persons who are ignorant of the existing speed limits.

(d) The posting of the provisions of Section 267 of the Harbors and Navigation Code of the State, as provided in this chapter, has been approved by the United States Corps of Army Engineers, the United States Coast Guard, and the Division of Small Craft Harbors of the Department of Parks and Recreation of the State. (§ 6, Ord. 552)

The Sheriff-Coroner shall enforce the provisions of this chapter. (§ 9, Ord. 552)