Georgia Water/Laws/Boat Safety Act

Georgia Boat Safety Act, O.C.G.A. §§ 52-7-1 to 77

Summary of the Act[edit | edit source]

General Description: This Act governs use of motor boats, yachts, jetskis, and other boats. It is illegal operate a boat or supervise a minor while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Boat regulations: Boats are divided into four classes: Class A is less than 16 feet in length; Class 1 between 16 and 26 feet; Class 2 is between 26 and 40 feet; and Class 3 is 40 feet or more. All motorized boats must have a registration number, which should be displayed on the front half of the boat (52-7-6). Every boat must contain the following: at least one personal floatation device for every person on board, lights from sunset to sunrise, a whistle or horn, and a fire extinguisher (52-7-8). A life preserver must be worn while riding a jetski. The jetski must have an working lanyard-type engine cutoff switch or a self-circling device (52-7-8.2).
Sewage and Toilets: It is illegal to discharge waste from a boat toilet into fresh water. Any marine toilet must have a holding tank that can only be emptied by pumping out. A holding tank may only be pumped out at an approved facility.