This text of Louisiana § 34:851.4 (Careless operation of a watercraft) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Louisiana primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.
§851.4. Careless operation of a watercraft
A. Careless operation of a watercraft is the operation of a watercraft in a careless
manner so as to endanger the life, limb, or property of any person, when such operation
constitutes a violation of any of the following requirements:
(1)Vessels passing head-on shall each keep to their respective right.
(2)A vessel overtaking another vessel may do so on either side, but must grant the
right-of-way to the vessel being overtaken.
(3)When vessels are on paths that cross, the vessel on the left will yield right-of-way
to vessel on the right.
(4)Motorboats shall yield right-of-way to non-motor powered boats, except when
being overtaken by non-powered vessels, for deep draft vessels that have to remain in narrow
channels, or when vessel is towing an
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§851.4. Careless operation of a watercraft
A. Careless operation of a watercraft is the operation of a watercraft in a careless
manner so as to endanger the life, limb, or property of any person, when such operation
constitutes a violation of any of the following requirements:
(1) Vessels passing head-on shall each keep to their respective right.
(2) A vessel overtaking another vessel may do so on either side, but must grant the
right-of-way to the vessel being overtaken.
(3) When vessels are on paths that cross, the vessel on the left will yield right-of-way
to vessel on the right.
(4) Motorboats shall yield right-of-way to non-motor powered boats, except when
being overtaken by non-powered vessels, for deep draft vessels that have to remain in narrow
channels, or when vessel is towing another vessel.
(5) Motorboats must maintain a direct course when passing sailboats.
(6) A vessel approaching a landing dock or pier shall yield the right-of-way to any
departing vessel.
(7) A vessel departing shoreline or tributary shall yield right-of-way to through traffic
and vessels approaching shoreline or tributary.
(8) Vessels will not abruptly change course without first determining that it can be
safely done without risk of collision with another vessel.
(9) If an operator fails to fully comprehend the course of an approaching vessel he
must slow down immediately to a speed barely sufficient for steerageway until the other
vessel has passed.
(10) Vessels yielding right-of-way shall reduce speed, stop, reverse, or alter course
to avoid collision. Vessel with right-of-way shall hold course and speed. If there is danger
of collision, all vessels will slow down, stop, or reverse until danger is averted.
(11) Vessels will issue warning signals in fog or weather conditions that restrict
visibility.
(12) No mechanically propelled vessel shall be operated so as to traverse a course
around any other vessel underway or any person swimming.
(13) In a narrow channel, vessels will keep to the right of mid-channel.
(14) Vessels approaching or passing another vessel shall be operated in such manner
and at such a rate of speed as will not create a hazardous wash or wake.
(15) A seaplane on the water shall in general keep clear of all vessels and avoid
impeding the navigation of all vessels.
(16) All vessels shall be operated at reasonable speeds for given conditions and
situations and must be under the complete control of the operator at all times.
(17) No person shall, under any circumstances, operate a vessel in excess of an
established speed or no-wake zone.
(18) No vessel or person shall obstruct or block a navigation channel, entrance to
channel, mooring slip, landing dock, launching ramp, pier, or tributary.
(19) Vessels shall keep at least 100 feet clearance of displayed diver's flag.
(20) Operator shall maintain a proper lookout.
B. Whoever commits the crime of careless operation of a watercraft shall be fined
not more than three hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days, or both.
C. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to vessels engaged in commercial
activity.
Acts 1960, No. 43, §4. Amended by Acts 1977, No. 27, §1; Acts 1978, No. 744, §1;
Acts 1982, No. 444, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1983; Acts 1983, No. 382, §1, eff. July 1, 1984; Acts
1984, No. 288, §1; Acts 2011, No. 264, §2; Acts 2025, No. 415, §1.