The intent of this chapter is to provide safe and healthful
conditions for the enjoyment of aquatic recreation consistent with
public rights and interest and the capability of the water resource.
The provisions of this chapter shall apply to the waters of
Fox Lake within the jurisdiction of the City of Fox Lake. The provisions
of this chapter shall be enforced concurrently by the police officers
of the City of Fox Lake and the Township of Fox Lake.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
PUBLIC ACCESS
Any access to the water by means of public property.
SHORE ZONE
All surface water within 200 feet of the shoreline.
SLOW-NO-WAKE
That speed at which a boat moves as slowly as possible while
still maintaining steerage control.
SWIMMING ZONE
An authorized area of water established by regulatory markers
to designate a swimming area.
In addition to the state boating and safety laws adopted in §
214-1, the following rules shall apply to the operation of boats on the waters of the City of Fox Lake:
A. No person shall operate a boat on the waters in the City of Fox Lake
in a careless, negligent or reckless manner so as to endanger his
or her life, property or person of another.
B. No person shall operate a motorboat repeatedly in a circuitous course
around any other boat or around any person swimming if such circuitous
course is within 200 feet of such boat or swimmer.
C. When two boats are approaching each other "head and head" or so nearly
as to involve risk of collision, each boat shall bear to the right
and pass the other boat on its left side.
D. When boats are approaching each other obliquely or at right angles,
the boat approaching on the right has the right-of-way.
E. No person shall operate a motorboat so as to approach or pass another
boat in such a manner as to create a hazardous wake or wash.
F. No person shall operate a powerboat within the restricted area of
the shoreline marked by the restricted area marker buoy (200 feet)
above a slow-no-wake speed.
G. The use of a siren on any motorboat is prohibited except on boats
used on patrol duty.
H. Every boat propelled by an engine or motor shall be equipped with
a muffler which is so constructed and kept in constant operation that
it prevents excessive or unusual noise at all times while the engine
is in operation. No motorboat shall be operated at any time with muffler
or cut-out open on the waters of the City of Fox Lake, subject to
exception as provided by the state statutes.
I. Searchlights may be used to furnish light in making a landing and
only otherwise in case of imminent danger or emergency. Any operator
of a motorboat or other person who shall repeatedly or continually
cause the rays of a searchlight to rest upon the operator or occupant
of another vessel or upon the shoreline shall be deemed guilty of
a violation of this chapter.
In addition to the safety laws adopted in §
214-1, the following safety rules shall apply in the waters of the City of Fox Lake:
A. No person or persons shall swim beyond 200 feet from shore unless
accompanied by a manned boat.
B. No person in charge or control of a boat shall permit any person
under 10 years of age on board without wearing a vest-type Coast Guard
approved personal flotation device.
C. All rafts and stationary platforms of any kind anchored in the water,
except docks and piers, shall be painted white and shall be so anchored
that they will have at least six inches of freeboard above the water
line.
D. No person shall operate a motorboat at speeds in excess of slow-no-wake
while navigating through a channel. In those areas of the lake which
are zoned, the speed in such zones shall be designated by markers
and the operator of the motorboat shall obey such speed limits.
E. The use of aquaplanes, water skis or similar apparatus in conjunction
with the operation of a motorboat will be permitted only as follows:
(1) On Fox Lake: between the hours of sunrise and sunset.
F. No person may anchor or permit a boat to be anchored within the restricted
area around the aerators designated by the uniform waterway markers.
G. Any person who shall cause damage to any lake buoy shall be responsible
to the Township for the cost of the necessary repairs and incidental
expenses connected herewith.
Whenever this chapter adopts state statutes by reference, such
adoption shall include all future changes in state law, including
sections amended and sections repealed. It is the intent of the municipality
that, by adopting state laws by reference, the municipality intends
that this chapter shall be consistent with and adopt all changes of
state law and statutes.