California Boating Safety Act

California has numerous formal acts in statute. Harbors and Navigation Code Division 3, Chapter 5, Article 1.5 provides the Anthony Farr and Stacy Beckett Boating Safety Act of 2004, which is contained in Sections 680 to 685. Article 1.5 was added in 2004 by Chapter 565. Section 680 names the act, and adds that it can be cited as Anthony and Stacy’s Law.

Section 681 makes it unlawful to operate a motorized vessel or have the engine of a motorized vessel run idle while an individual is teak surfing, platform dragging, or bodysurfing behind the motorized vessel. The following terms are defined: “teak surfing”; “platform dragging”; “bodysurfing”; and, “vessel.” A violation of this section is an infraction and can be fined up to $100.

Section 682 requires all state-sponsored boating safety courses and all boating safety courses that require state approval by the Department of Boating and Waterways to incorporate information about the dangers of being overcome by carbon monoxide poisoning at the stern of a motorized vessel and how to prevent that poisoning.

Section 683 requires that, when a new or used motorized vessel is sold in California, the two carbon monoxide poisoning warning stickers developed by the Department of Boating and Waterways be placed on the motorized vessel. The smaller sticker must be placed in the interior of the motorized vessel where it is immediately visible to the person operating the motorized vessel while the larger sticker must be placed facing out on the exterior of the stern or transom of the motorized vessel.

Section 684 requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to insert the Department of Boating and Waterways’ informational brochure and warning stickers about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and boats into the registration renewal materials mailed by the Department of Motor Vehicles to vessel owners for two consecutive two-year registration cycles and, thereafter, upon the recommendation of the Director of Boating and Waterways.

Section 685 provides that the Department of Boating and Waterways may use funds in the Harbors and Watercraft Revolving Fund to administer this chapter and to reimburse the Department of Motor Vehicles for its costs to administer this chapter.