§ 46-22-9.5 - Speeding.
SECTION 46-22-9.5
§ 46-22-9.5 Speeding. – (a) No person shall operate any motor-boat or vessel in any harbor or inlet orany pond or other confined body of water in this state in excess of forty-five(45) miles per hour during the hours from sunrise to sunset and twenty-five(25) miles per hour during periods of darkness or other periods of restrictedvisibility; provided, however, nothing herein shall prohibit the posting oflesser speed limits where deemed necessary by the appropriate state or localauthority.
(b) Violations of this section shall be as follows:
(1) The first violation, if no greater than ten (10) milesper hour over the speed limit, shall be a civil offense which shall requirepayment of a twenty-five dollar ($25.00) assessment fee and the violator may berequired to attend a boating safety course.
(2) Any violation in excess of ten (10) miles per hour overthe speed limit shall be deemed a misdemeanor with fines as follows:
(i) 11-15 miles per hour in excess of speed limit $50.00
(ii) 16-20 miles per hour in excess of speed limit $75.00
(iii) 21-25 miles per hour in excess of speed limit $100
(iv) Greater than 25 miles per hour Fine of five dollars
in excess of speed limit: ($5.00) per mile in
excess of speed limit.
(v) The violator shall also be required to attend a boatingsafety course.
(3) State, federal, and local law enforcement and rescueagencies may exceed this speed limit when responding to an emergency or lawenforcement action: provided that this speed does not endanger any person notinvolved in this action.
(c) The operation of personal watercrafts, as defined, use,speed, age of operator, and area of operation shall be regulated by thedepartment of environmental management. Rules and regulations shall bepromulgated by the department within three (3) months of June 16, 1991.