As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
CAYUGA LAKE
The whole of Cayuga Lake to its high water mark, all subsurface lands,
and all streams, creeks, rivers, canals, inlets, and other waterways connected
thereto, whether navigable or not, located in the Town of Ithaca.
DAYTIME
One-half hour after sunrise to one-half hour before sunset.
NIGHTTIME
One-half hour before sunset to one-half hour after sunrise.
NON-MOTOR-POWERED VESSEL
A vessel powered by a force other than a motor, specifically wind
or human muscle power, such as a canoe, kayak, paddle boat, crew boat, row
boat, sailboat or sailboard.
PERSONAL WATERCRAFT OR PWC
A vessel which uses an inboard motor powering a water jet pump as
its primary source of motive power and which is designed to be operated by
a person sitting, standing, or kneeling on, or being towed behind, the vessel,
rather than in the conventional manner of sitting or standing inside the vessel.
SHORELINE
Any location where the surface of Cayuga Lake meets land, including
emergent islands and structures of all sorts, but not including wharves, docks,
and similar structures made, placed or installed by any person or entity.
SPECIALTY PROP-CRAFT
A vessel which is powered by an outboard motor or propeller-driven
motor and which is designed to be operated by a person sitting, standing,
or kneeling on, or being towed behind, the vessel, rather than in the conventional
manner of sitting or standing inside the vessel.
VESSEL
A vessel as defined in Subdivision 6 of § 2 of the New
York State Navigation Law or any successor or amendment to such subdivision
and section.
WATERCRAFT
Any vessel, vehicle, or contrivance intended, designed, or utilized
for travel over or under water, and that is propelled by a motor or engine
of any type, whether fueled by gasoline or otherwise.
A vessel regulation zone is established so that no watercraft shall
exceed a speed of five miles per hour within 100 feet of any shoreline, dock,
pier, raft, float, marked swimming area, or anchored, moored, floating or
non-motorized vessel, or 10 miles per hour when between 100 feet and 500 feet
of any shoreline, dock, pier, raft, float, marked swimming area, or anchored
or moored vessel, or 45 miles per hour during the daytime and 25 mph during
the nighttime when between 500 and 1500 feet of any shoreline, dock, pier,
raft, float, marked swimming area or anchored, moored, floating or non-motorized
vessel unless such vessel is being operated near such shore, dock, float,
pier, raft, or anchored vessel for the purpose of enabling a person engaged
in water skiing to take off or land.
No person shall operate a PWC or a specialty prop-craft at any time
before 10 a.m. or after the earlier of 8:00 p.m. or one-half hour before sunset.
No person under the age of 16 years may operate a PWC or specialty prop-craft
unless he or she is:
A. Accompanied by a parent or guardian; or
B. Accompanied by an adult over the age of 18 years and:
(1) Possesses a current and valid boating certificate issued
by the State of New York, the United States Coast Guard, or an appropriate
power squadron; or
(2) Possesses a captain's license or New York State
guide's license.
In no case shall the noise level of any watercraft, or any activities
conducted from such watercraft, exceed 65 dBA during daytime and 55 dBA during
nighttime.
This chapter shall apply only to those portions of Cayuga Lake falling
under the jurisdiction of the Town of Ithaca.
A violation of this chapter shall be punishable as set forth in § 73-c
of the New York State Navigation Law or any successor or amendment to such
section.