Chapter 14.24
OPERATION OF WATERCRAFT*

Sections:

14.24.010    Negligent operation of a watercraft.

14.24.020    Reckless operation of a watercraft.

14.24.030    Speed regulations on waters within city jurisdiction.

14.24.040    Interference with navigation or disturbing other boats.

14.24.050    Intoxication.

14.24.060    Incapacity of operator.

14.24.070    License required.

14.24.080    Overloading.

14.24.090    Rules of the road.

14.24.100    Propellers.

14.24.110    Explosives.

14.24.120    Boilers.

14.24.130    Yielding right-of-way to authorized emergency vessels and watercraft.

14.24.140    Public disturbance noises in Kirkland waters.

*    For the statutory provisions regarding operating while intoxicated, see RCW 9.91.020; overloading causing death, manslaughter, see RCW 9.48.110; mooring to or tampering with moorings or buoys, see RCW 9.61.010, 9.61.040; reckless operation resulting in death, manslaughter, see RCW 9.48.120.

14.24.010 Negligent operation of a watercraft.

Any person who operates any watercraft in a manner so as to endanger or be likely to endanger any person or property, or at a rate of speed greater than will permit the operator, in the exercise of reasonable care, to bring the watercraft to a stop within the assured clear distance ahead, is guilty of negligent operation of a watercraft. (Ord. 4406 § 21, 2013: Ord. 800 § 5, 1960)

14.24.020 Reckless operation of a watercraft.

No person shall operate a watercraft in a reckless manner, or at an excessive rate of speed so as to endanger, or be likely to endanger, the life or property of any person, having due regard for the presence of other watercraft, persons, or other objects in or on the Kirkland Harbor. Nor shall any such person operate any watercraft at a rate of speed which causes waves to damage docks, wharves, bulkheads, or watercraft moored to docks or wharves in the Kirkland Harbor. (Ord. 4406 § 22, 2013: Ord. 800 § 6, 1960)

14.24.030 Speed regulations on waters within city jurisdiction.

It is unlawful for any person to operate any watercraft or vessel at a speed of in excess of seven nautical miles per hour within one hundred yards of any shoreline, pier, restricted area or shore installation, except as provided in Section 14.20.030. (Ord. 2052 § 1, 1969: Ord. 800 § 7, 1960)

14.24.040 Interference with navigation or disturbing other boats.

(a)    No person shall operate any watercraft or vessel in a manner which shall unreasonably or unnecessarily interfere with other watercraft or vessels or with the free and proper navigation of the waterways of the city. Anchoring or mooring under bridges or in heavily travelled channels shall constitute such interference if unreasonable under the prevailing circumstances.

(b)    No person shall operate a boat in such a manner as to unjustifiably or unnecessarily annoy or frighten or endanger the occupants of any other boat, or throw up a dangerous wake when approaching another boat. (Ord. 800 § 8, 1960)

14.24.050 Intoxication.

(a)    It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of intoxicating liquor, marijuana or any drug to operate or be in actual physical control of any vessel or watercraft.

(b)    It is unlawful for the owner of any vessel or watercraft or any person having such in charge or in control to authorize or knowingly permit the same to be operated by any person who is under the influence of intoxicating liquor, marijuana or any drug. (Ord. 4575 § 1, 2017: Ord. 4406 § 23, 2013: Ord. 800 § 12, 1960)

14.24.060 Incapacity of operator.

It is unlawful for the owner of any vessel or watercraft or any person having such in charge or in control to authorize or knowingly permit the same to be operated by any person who by reason of physical or mental disability is incapable of operating such vessel or watercraft under the prevailing circumstances. (Ord. 800 § 13, 1960)

14.24.070 License required.

No person shall operate a boat unless properly licensed as required by applicable state and federal laws and regulations. No person shall operate a boat which does not meet all applicable equipment requirements of the United States Coast Guard. (Ord. 836 § 1, 1961: Ord. 800 § 16, 1960)

14.24.080 Overloading.

No watercraft shall be loaded with passengers or cargo beyond its safe carrying capacity nor carry passengers in an unsafe manner, taking into consideration weather and other existing operating conditions. (Ord. 800 § 18, 1960)

14.24.090 Rules of the road.

Except as herein otherwise specified, vessels or watercraft shall be subject to the U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Rules and Regulations Handbook for Inland Navigation Rules (33 CFR 83), promulgated by the United States Coast Guard, pursuant to the act of Congress, as such rules are now or may hereafter from time to time be adopted. (Ord. 4595 § 1, 2017: Ord. 800 § 30, 1960)

14.24.100 Propellers.

No master, owner, or other person in charge of any vessel or watercraft shall, while the same is lying in any slip or at any pier, either cause or allow the propeller or wheel of such vessel or watercraft to be worked in such a manner as to endanger any vessel, watercraft or structure. (Ord. 800 § 32, 1960)

14.24.110 Explosives.

Every vessel or watercraft approaching or passing any vessel or watercraft engaged in the transfer of explosives and from which is displayed the red powder flag shall slow down to a speed of not exceeding six nautical miles an hour before coming abreast of such vessel or watercraft and in time to prevent accident by reason of swells. (Ord. 800 § 33, 1960)

14.24.120 Boilers.

It is unlawful for the master of any vessel or watercraft, or the engineer or person in charge of any engine or fire room thereof, to blow down boilers and/or tubes or emit soot therefrom or cause or allow the same to be done while lying at any pier except through an underwater exhaust or outlet. (Ord. 800 § 39, 1960)

14.24.130 Yielding right-of-way to authorized emergency vessels and watercraft.

It shall be the duty of the master, owner or operator of a vessel or watercraft to reduce speed and if necessary stop his or her vessel or watercraft and at the same time yielding right-of-way as herein otherwise specified upon the approach of an authorized emergency vessel or watercraft displaying a red light for fire department watercraft or a blue light for law enforcement watercraft and sounding a siren and while responding to an emergency or in immediate pursuit of any actual or suspected violator of the law. (Ord. 4595 § 2, 2017: Ord. 800 § 56, 1960)

14.24.140 Public disturbance noises in Kirkland waters.

For noise regulations applicable to city of Kirkland waters, please see Section 11.84A.070. (Ord. 4356 § 1, 2012)