[Adopted 1-23-1962]
All municipal ordinances and regulations respecting the operation
of boats, vessels and crafts on waters within the territorial limits
of the City of Norwalk have been repealed by state law, and, in addition
to the boating law enacted by the State of Connecticut, some supervision
is found to be necessary.
[Amended 4-28-1992]
For the purposes of this ordinance and to implement the Norwalk
Harbor Management Plan, the waters of Norwalk Harbor shall be divided
as follows:
A.
Inner harbor. The inner harbor shall consist of those waters northerly
of a line extending south from the Coast Guard Auxiliary Station at
Calf Pasture Point to the center of Round Beach, then southwest to
light No. 10, then northerly to Keyser Point at the southwestern corner
of Manresa Island, including all areas, coves and embayments to the
head of navigation at the Wall Street Bridge.
C.
The Five Mile River, commencing at the red and green buoys of the
southern end of the river to the end of navigable waters.
[Amended 4-28-1992]
A.
Restricted speed zones (RSZ) are those areas, upon recommendation
of the Norwalk Marine Police Division and the Norwalk Harbor Management
Commission, designated by ordinance pursuant to Section 15-136 of
the Connecticut General Statutes, which require reduced speed for
purposes of safety to persons and property, including structures,
and for protection of environmentally sensitive shorelines and islands
from damage by wakes of vessels. No person will operate or cause to
be operated within any restricted speed zone any power-propelled vessel
or craft of any kind at a speed in excess of six miles per hour. Vessels
within a restricted speed zone shall leave a minimal wake. Vessels
powered solely by manpower are not restricted by this ordinance. Restricted
speed zones shall consist of the following areas:
(1)
The entire inner harbor. From Memorial Day until Labor Day, the Norwalk
Marine Police shall assist boaters by identifying this restricted
area with the placement of restricted speed markers. The absence of
any marker does not excuse compliance with this section.
[Amended 3-8-1994]
(2)
The Five Mile River.
(3)
The area bound by a straight line from the southern tip of Bell Island
to the south end of Tavern Island and from the east end of Tavern
Island north to the knob of Wilson Point, as delineated in the Norwalk
Harbor Management Plan.
(4)
The area in Village Creek north of a line extending in an east-west
direction from the eastern shore of Wilson Point across the south
edge of Hoyts Island to the outfall of the Connecticut Light and Power
plant on the shoreline of Manresa Island, as designated in the Norwalk
Harbor Management Plan.
(5)
The area within 100 yards of shore extending from the Five Mile River
to the tip of Bell Island.
(6)
The area within 100 yards of shore along the southerly and easterly
side of Calf Pasture Beach and Shady Beach and easterly to the city
line, as designated in the Norwalk Harbor Management Plan.
(7)
Areas within 100 feet of all shorelines not otherwise designated
and within 100 feet of any moored vessel or anchorage area.
B.
Such areas may be identified by markers clearly designating such
areas by notations such as "Leave No Wake," "6 MPH Zone" and "Restricted
Speed Zone" in accordance with Section 15-121-A1 through 15-121-A5
of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. Absence of regulatory
markers in any of the restricted speed areas shall not excuse compliance
with restricted speed ordinances.
C.
The restricted speed requirements of this ordinance may be modified
or exempted for specific limited uses in accordance with Section 15-121-B18
of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies or by written permission
from the Harbor Management Commission upon recommendation of the Norwalk
Marine Police and Common Council approval. Written permission may
be rescinded by the Commission at any time. Written permission shall
be renewed annually.
[Amended 10-22-1985; 8-14-1990]
Permits for motorboat regattas, motorboat races, exhibition
speedboat trials and waterskiing or aquaplane exhibitions shall be
issued by the city through the Harbor Management Commission upon application
made in writing.
Any person who violates any provision of this ordinance shall,
upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine of not less than $10
and not more than $100.
All uniformed police officers of the Norwalk Police Department
are hereby certified for marine duty and shall have authority to enforce
the provisions of this ordinance.
