{"data":{"id":"us-nd/n.d.-cent.-code-20.1-13-07","jurisdiction":"us-nd","citation":"N.D. Cent. Code § 20.1-13-07","heading":"Prohibited operation - Penalty","body":"1.An individual may not operate a motorboat or vessel, or manipulate water skis, a surfboard, or similar device in a reckless or negligent manner so as to endanger the life, limb, or property of any individual. Reckless or negligent operation of a motorboat or vessel includes weaving through congested motorboat or vessel traffic, jumping the wake of another motorboat or vessel within one hundred feet [30.48 meters] of the motorboat or vessel, or in any other manner that is not reasonable or prudent.\n2.An individual may not operate a motorboat or vessel, or manipulate water skis, a surfboard, or similar device if any of the following apply:\na.The individual has an alcohol concentration of at least ten one-hundredths of one percent by weight at the time of the performance of the test within two hours after the operating of a motorboat or vessel.\nb.The individual is under the influence of intoxicating liquor.\nc.The individual is under the influence of a drug or substance or combination of drugs or substances to a degree which renders the individual incapable of safely operating a motorboat or vessel.\nd.The individual is under the combined influence of alcohol and any other drugs or substances to a degree which renders that person incapable of safely operating a motorboat or vessel. The fact that an individual charged with violating this section is or has been legally entitled to use alcohol or other drugs or substances is not a defense against a charge for violating this section, unless a drug that predominantly caused impairment was used only as directed or cautioned by a practitioner who legally prescribed or dispensed the drug to the individual.\n3.An individual under twelve years of age may not operate a motorboat propelled by over a ten horsepower motor unless the operator is accompanied by an individual eighteen years of age or older. An individual who violates this subsection is guilty of a class 2 noncriminal offense.\n4.An individual of twelve through fifteen years of age may not operate a motorboat propelled by over a ten horsepower motor unless the operator is accompanied by an individual eighteen years of age or older or the operator has taken and passed a boating course approved by the department. An individual who violates this subsection is guilty of a class 2 noncriminal offense.\n5.An individual may not cause or knowingly permit a minor under sixteen years of age to operate a motorboat propelled by over a ten horsepower motor unless the minor is otherwise authorized to do so by this section.\n6.An individual may not operate a motorboat or vessel within one hundred feet [30.48 meters] of a person fishing from a shoreline, swimmer, swimming diving raft, or an occupied, anchored or nonmotorized vessel, or within two hundred fifty feet [76.20 meters] of a reduced speed or slow or no wake sign at greater than slow or no wake speed.\n7.An individual may not operate or permit the operation of a personal watercraft:\na.Without each person on board the personal watercraft wearing a United States coast guard approved type I, II, III, or V personal flotation device;\nb.Within one hundred feet [30.48 meters] of a person fishing from a shoreline, swimmer, swimming diving raft, or an occupied, anchored or nonmotorized vessel at greater than slow or no wake speed;\nc.While towing an individual on water skis, a kneeboard, an inflatable craft, or any other device unless an observer is on board or the personal watercraft is equipped with a mirror on each side which provides the operator an unobstructed field of vision to the rear;\nd.Without a lanyard-type engine cutoff switch being attached to the individual, clothing, or personal flotation device of the operator, if the personal watercraft is equipped by the manufacturer with such a device;\ne.If a part of the spring-loaded throttle mechanism has been removed, altered, or tampered with so as to interfere with the return-to-idle system;\nf.To chase or harass wildlife;\ng.Through emergent or floating vegetation at other than slow or no wake speed;\nh.In a manner that unreasonably or unnecessarily endangers life, limb, or property, including weaving through congested watercraft traffic, jumping the wake of another watercraft within one hundred feet [30.48 meters] of the other watercraft; or\ni.In any other manner that is not reasonable and prudent.\n8.An individual who violates subdivision c of subsection 7 is guilty of a class 2 noncriminal offense.","path":["Title 20.1 Game, Fish, Predators, And Boating","Chapter 20.1-13 Boating Regulation"],"source_url":"https://ndlegis.gov/cencode/t20-1c13.pdf","current_through":"2026-07-31T11:12:02","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-02T21:04:14Z","sha256":"d7f34ee5474f6a358a35c11487e688f21680f6f4e7a681dcfa1bc13f50dbaab2","source_id":"us-nd","stale":true,"prev":"us-nd/n.d.-cent.-code-20.1-13-06","next":"us-nd/n.d.-cent.-code-20.1-13-07.1"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}