SB3813 Summary

• Reorganizes definitions in the Boat Registration and Safety Act into alphabetical order and adds new definitions including "international regulations" and "wearable U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device."

• Modifies personal flotation device (PFD) requirements to specify "wearable" Coast Guard-approved PFDs for general watercraft operation and requires persons under age 13 to wear properly fitted PFDs while the watercraft is underway on vessels under 26 feet in length.

• Completely restructures navigation light requirements by establishing four watercraft classes based on length (Class 1: less than 16 feet; Class 2: 16-26 feet; Class 3: 26-40 feet; Class 4: 40-65 feet) with specific light configurations for each class, replacing previous requirements.

• Reorganizes traffic rules for watercraft by establishing specific protocols for head-on situations, crossing situations, and overtaking maneuvers, including horn signal requirements for overtaking in narrow channels (one short blast for starboard pass, two short blasts for port pass).

• Updates interference with navigation provisions to specify that vessels engaged in fishing cannot impede other vessels in narrow channels and requires vessels to avoid anchoring in narrow channels, under bridges, or in heavily traveled areas when unreasonable under prevailing circumstances.