One Hundred Foot Restriction

[erickkent]

“220-6-.60 One Hundred Foot Restriction

(a) No person shall operate any “vessel” (as defined in §33-5-3, Code of Alabama 1975) or tow a person or persons on water skis, an aquaplane, a surfboard, or any similar device on the “waters of this state” (as defined in §33-5-3, Code of Alabama 1975) at a speed greater than idle speed within 100 feet of any vessel which is moored, anchored, or adrift outside normal traffic channels, or any wharf, dock, pier, piling, bridge structure or abutment, person in the water, or shoreline adjacent to a full-time or part-time residence, public park, public beach, public swimming area, marina, restaurant, or other public use area. This subsection shall not be interpreted to prohibit any person from initiating or terminating water skiing from any wharf, dock, or pier owned by such person or used by such person with the permission of the owner of said wharf, dock, or pier nor shall it be interpreted to prohibit the immediate return of a tow vessel to a downed water skier. The above restriction shall not apply to ocean-going ships or to tugboats or other powered vessels which are assisting ocean-going ships during transit or during docking or undocking maneuvers, or to the operation of vessels on the Intercoastal Waterway.

[erickkent]

Lets get some discussion going here.

So as I understand it, if I were running wide open in the narrow parts of the river (100 feet either side of the boat to the shore) as long as nothing is around I am legal but as soon as I see a house, dock or any public land I have to idle. Also, if two boats are running wide open along side each other or in opposite directions we can keep going as long as one of them doesn't stop, in which case I have to idle around them. Right?

[djpair]

As I understand it this is not law yet. I believe if enough people complain it will never become law. Personally, I think this is the most ridiculous regulation I have ever heard. If this becomes law how do they intend to enforce it? I think this will set up all kinds of court cases. I mean how will they be able to determine if you are 100 feet or less away? If I am going 65mph I find it hard to believe anyone could tell if I was 95 or 105 feet from an object. Also, due to the fact that Georgia regulates most everything on Eufaula will this effect us at all?

David

[erickkent]

As I understand it this is not law yet. I believe if enough people complain it will never become law. Personally, I think this is the most ridiculous regulation I have ever heard. If this becomes law how do they intend to enforce it? I think this will set up all kinds of court cases. I mean how will they be able to determine if you are 100 feet or less away? If I am going 65mph I find it hard to believe anyone could tell if I was 95 or 105 feet from an object. Also, due to the fact that Georgia regulates most everything on Eufaula will this effect us at all?

David

One of the Coast Guard Auxiliary workers told me this weekend (while I was getting my free boat inspection) that it had already passed but then Eddie Plemons, who as I am sure you know is the ABFN President, sent out an email stating it was only "proposed" so at this point I am not sure. The Coast Guard worker also said another regulation had passed stating the laws for drinking and driving on the water are now the same as on the highways (that one I agree with). From what he said the local marine police weren't enforcing it and he must be right because the they were sitting in Thomas Mill Creek this weekend and had 5 or more boats with skiers running all around them and the docks, not to mention all the folks on jet skis that were running wide open in there.

I emailed the commissioner and told him how I felt. Maybe everyone else that disagrees should too. As stated in Eddie's email we should contact Commissioner Barnett Lawley at dcnr.commissioner@dcnr.alabama.gov.

[kevin revay]

this will be wy to hard to enforce. like david said 95-100 foot how can you tell? but i believe it will come into play once you get close to private land with a really big house on it. obvioiusly this came from people who have alot of money and with nothing better to do. this is rediculous.