The Orleans Waterways Bylaw is written under the authority of
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90B, Section 15. The bylaw is intended
to promote the protection of public safety and welfare by encouraging
voluntary compliance, and by deterring noncompliance through penalties
and fines. The bylaw is a compilation of Massachusetts General Laws,
CMRs, Harbormaster Regulations, the former Orleans Waterways Regulations,
and various existing Orleans General Bylaws. This bylaw shall apply
to all persons, vessels or objects on or using the waterways of the
Town of Orleans.
BOATING ACCIDENT
An occurrence in which a waterborne vessel subject to this
bylaw is involved, whether or not there has been any actual collision,
and which results in damage by or to such vessel or its equipment,
or by or to an object or person being towed, pushed or propelled by
such vessel, or in which there is an injury to any person, loss of
life, or disappearance of any person under circumstances which indicate
the possibility of death or injury or disappearance of a vessel other
than by theft.
CERTIFICATE OF NUMBER
A document issued by the director of the Massachusetts Environmental
Police, upon application therefor, stating the name and address of
the owner of, and the registration number awarded to, and properly
displayed upon, a vessel.
[Amended 5-8-2017 ATM,
Art. 36]
GREAT POND
A natural pond the area of which is ten acres or more. Great
Ponds are owned by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
[Amended 5-8-2017 ATM,
Art. 36]
HEADWAY SPEED
The slowest speed at which a powered vessel may be operated
and still maintain steerage way.
[Amended 5-8-2017 ATM,
Art. 36]
PERSONAL WATERCRAFT
A vessel propelled by a water-jet pump or other machinery
as its primary source of propulsion that is designed to be operated
by a person sitting, standing or kneeling on the vessel rather than
being operated in the conventional manner by a person sitting or standing
inside the vessel.
VESSEL
Includes all types of watercraft including nondisplacement
craft and seaplanes used or capable of being used as a means of transportation
on water.
[Added 5-8-2017 ATM,
Art. 36]
WATERSKIING
For the purpose of this bylaw, shall include towing or manipulating
a surfboard, inner tube or other similar watersport device towed or
riding the wake behind a motor vessel.
[Amended 5-8-2017 ATM,
Art. 36]
[Amended 5-8-2017 ATM,
Art. 36]
No vessel powered by machinery as primary or secondary shall
be operated within the waters of the Town of Orleans unless said vessel
displays registration numbers in accordance with Chapter 90B, Section
2, of the Massachusetts General Laws and said valid certificate number
shall be carried onboard the vessel at all times. Any vessel not required
to be registered must display somewhere on the vessel the owner's
name, address and active phone number.
Any vessel, mooring or object constituting a hazard to navigation
and any vessel or object improperly secured, swamped, sunk, washed
ashore or found in an abandoned condition may be removed or relocated
by the Harbormaster or his agent. Any expense or liability incurred
therefor shall be the responsibility of the boat owner. The last owner
of record of a vessel at the time it was abandoned shall be presumed
to be the person who abandoned the boat.
[Amended 5-8-2017 ATM,
Art. 36]
The operator of any boat involved in a collision, accident or
other casualty shall, so far as he is able without serious danger
to his own or other vessels or to any persons, render to other persons
affected by the boating accident such assistance as may be practicable
and as may be necessary in order to save them from any danger caused
by the boating accident.
The operator of any boat involved in a boating accident where
there is any personal injury or property damage greater than $500
shall notify the Harbormaster within twenty-four hours of said accident,
in addition to notifying all other appropriate state and federal officials.
In addition to any other state or federal requirements, the
following equipment shall be carried on all boats at all times, when
within the waters of the Town of Orleans:
A. U.S.C.G. approved personal flotation devices as prescribed by M.G.L.
Chapter 90B, Section 5.
B. A valid certificate of number, if required by M.G.L. Chapter 90B,
Section 2.
C. From sunset to sunrise, lights that comply with M.G.L. Chapter 90B,
Section 5.
D. Anchor and line adequate to hold the vessel.
G. Sound producing device (e.g., whistle, horn) (powered vessels sixteen
feet or over).
[Amended 5-8-2017 ATM,
Art. 36]
H. Fire extinguishers as required by M.G.L. Chapter 90B, Section 5.
[Amended 5-8-2017 ATM,
Art. 36]
I. Ladder, steps or similar device for reentering the vessel when conducting
towed water sports.
[Amended 5-8-2017 ATM,
Art. 36]
[Amended 5-8-2017 ATM,
Art. 36]
An operator's certificate issued by the Massachusetts Environmental
Police to the specific youth operator shall be aboard every motorboat
being operated by a person between the age of thirteen (13) and the
age of sixteen (16) years old, when that operator is not being supervised
by a person who is eighteen (18) years old or older.
No person shall operate a personal watercraft on the waters
of the Town:
A. Unless wearing a Coast Guard approved personal flotation device.
[Amended 5-8-2017 ATM,
Art. 36]
B. Between the hours of sunset and sunrise.
[Amended 5-8-2017 ATM,
Art. 36]
C. Unless the operator is sixteen (16) years of age or older.
[Amended 5-8-2017 ATM,
Art. 36]
D. Towing a waterskier or a person in any other manner.
E. In any manner other than a safe and prudent manner, having due regard
for other waterborne traffic, posted wake and speed restrictions and
all other attendant circumstances, so as not to endanger the life,
limb or property of any person.
F. Within one hundred fifty (150) feet of shore except at headway speed.
G. Within one hundred fifty feet of a swimmer in the water.
H. On waters of the Town less than seventy-five acres.
I. Within waters contiguous to the boundaries of the Cape Cod National
Seashore as set forth in Public Law 87-126, 7 August 1961, and as
most recently surveyed by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
[Amended 5-8-2017 ATM,
Art. 36]
J. On the tidal waters of Pleasant Bay, including but not limited to
Little Pleasant Bay, Namequoit River, Arey's Pond, Lonnie's/Kescayogansett
Pond, Frostfish Cove, the River, Meetinghouse Pond, Pochet, and any
adjoining river, inlet, cove, embayment, pond, or harbor.
K. On the tidal waters of the Nauset estuary, including but not limited
to Town Cove, Rachel's Cove, Little Cove, Mill Pond, Robert's Cove,
Nauset Harbor, and any adjoining river, inlet, cove, embayment, pond
or harbor.
L. A personal watercraft may be operated in these areas for the purpose
of enforcement, search and rescue, training, or other emergency, provided
it is under the direction of a duly authorized federal, state, county
or local law enforcement or emergency response agency.
[Amended 5-8-2017 ATM,
Art. 36]
[Amended 5-8-2017 ATM,
Art. 36]
International Rules of the U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Rules
apply to all saltwater bodies of water within the Town. Nothing contained
herein shall be construed to supersede or conflict with or interfere
or limit jurisdiction of the United States government with respect
to the enforcement of the navigation, shipping, anchorage or other
associated federal laws or regulations or any laws or regulations
of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
In the event that any provision, section or clause of this bylaw
is hereafter judicially found to be invalid, such decision, invalidity
or voidance shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion
of these regulations.