Boat etiquette

[J Hartman]

Hello,


I have a question about running my boat. I have a jet outboard boat that I operate on smaller rivers, although I have not ran into this particular situation yet, I'm curious as to how I need to go about operating.

There is a place on one river where there is a popular swimming hole. It's easy access for people on foot so they tend to wade and swim. There is shallow water on the up and down river side of this "swimming hole". My issue is in order for me to get my boat beyond these shallow points i must be on plane, whether going up or down river. The draft of my boat is too deep to float / troll by. If someone is in the water swimming. Who has the technical right of way?

I did have one lady cuss me out from the shore saying that i was speeding through where her kids like to swim. At the time there was no one in the water. I just want to know what is legal. Do i have to stop and beach my down river to ask people to move on a crowded day? Can i just wait until i have a clear run and keep going about my business? Or are the people swimming suppose to watch for boats if they are in an unmarked swimming location?

My honest opinion on the situation is that the people swimming should hear my boat coming from a good distance and should have plenty of time to get closer to shore. It is not a marked swimming area, so if it were me swimming, I'd move as soon as i seen or heard a boat.

But most people don't understand how a jet boat works, the faster i'm going, the shallower of water I can run. So i really need to be on plane the entire time to get through this location.

Also, Canoe persons and Kayak persons tend to get upset when you go jetting by them, but according to the twra boat education sail boats are required to give way to any vessel that is restricted in its ability to maneuver. ( To me wouldn't that mean, if I slow down to idle I restrict my ability to manuever in shallower water? It is kind of like a PWC, without power my boat doesn't turn. )
Do the canoes and kayaks fall into the "sail" category?

I just want to know I'm doing the right thing in these situations.

Thanks.

 

[mike243]

Let me ask you is this river listed as a navigable river? Pedestrians have the rightofway on some roads and not others. Could you motor up and let folks know your going to make a run thru?

 

[walker]

imo!! the people would have the right of way

 

[scn]

If you hit a swimmer, you will be at fault.

I'm pretty sure that the canoes and kayaks will have the right of way over any motorized boat. I'll check tomorrow to make sure, and if incorrect I'll repost.

It sounds like you are the one at fault in both situations.

 

[scn]

I talked with our boating experts this morning and confirmed that what I posted was correct.

I think you misunderstood the part about sailboats. All motorized vessels (with the possible exception of barges under tow) are required to give way to them rather than the sailboats giving way to the motorized vessel.

Paddle craft are not specifically addressed in the navigation rules. However, it is their opinion that they would likely be considered the same as sailboats where motorized vessels give them the right of way.

And, it was strongly confirmed that if you hit a swimmer the fault will be with you.