For the purposes of this Article, the following
terms shall have the meanings indicated:
INFLATABLE
A float, raft, inner tube or other device which derives its
buoyancy from being inflated with air and is not generally considered
a boat and/or is not a registered craft.
LAUNCHING
The lowering of a vessel into water from any source.
LOW-POWERBOAT
Any vessel powered by an electric motor or a gasoline motor
of 9.9 horsepower or less.
[Added 4-24-2001 by Ord. No. 7-2001]
NONPOWER BOAT
Any vessel without a motor, such as a canoe or kayak.
[Amended 4-24-2001 by Ord. No. 7-2001]
POWERBOAT
Any vessel propelled by a motor greater than 9.9 horsepower.
SAILBOAT
A vessel propelled exclusively by sail.
SKIBOAT
A vessel of any horsepower used for the purpose of towing
and/or skiing.
VESSEL
A craft for traveling on water.
Before a permit is issued, an applicant shall
complete an application form which shall constitute being registered
with the Division. The Division will issue a registration ID card
which shall only be valid until the earliest expiration date of any
of the required items needed for a permit, including the registration,
insurance policy and license.
In completing the application form the applicant
is required to provide the following:
A. The name and address of the owner and operator of
the vessel.
B. The make, type and length of the vessel.
C. The horsepower of the engine.
D. An emergency contact name and phone number.
E. Evidence of a current valid registration for the vessel,
clearly showing the date of expiration.
F. Evidence of the operator's compliance with any statutory
requirements for operating the vessel, such as license endorsements
or course completion.
G. Evidence of the required insurance.
H. A consent to indemnify the County.
Unless special permission is obtained from the
County, the following activities are prohibited on waters under the
jurisdiction of the Division:
B. Operation of personal watercraft.
D. Ice skating, including ice hockey.
F. Entering on the frozen surface of waters.
G. Swimming, wading, scuba diving, snorkeling, or diving
except in designated areas.
[Amended 8-15-2023 by Ord. No. 9-2023]
H. Swimming or diving from a vessel.
Launching is permitted only at designated areas
during the hours posted.
[Amended 12-8-2009 by Ord. No. 15-2009]
A. Vessels
being operated on any body of water under the jurisdiction of the
County park system or moored/docked at docks/bulkheads located in
waters under the jurisdiction of the County park system shall be subject
to the following liability insurance requirements:
(1) Vessels
with a horsepower rating of greater than 9.9 horsepower shall carry
marine liability insurance in an amount not less than $500,000.
B. Any person,
firm or entity promoting, organizing or training persons in organized
canoeing or kayaking activities shall be required to provide a certificate
of insurance naming the County as an additional insured with liability
limits of at least $1,000,000 and shall sign a statement agreeing
to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the County from and against
all claims for death, injury or damages of any type arising out of
such organized activities.
The speed of a vessel shall at all times be
regulated to avoid danger and injury to persons and all manner of
vessels, whether floating, moored, anchored or underway, or to piers,
wharves, bulkheads or other waterfront construction, whether directly
or by the effect of the wash or wave raised by such vessel through
its speed or otherwise.
[Amended 12-8-2009 by Ord. No. 15-2009]
No person shall operate or allow a person to
operate any vessel on waters under the jurisdiction of the Division
while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or narcotic, hallucinogenic
or habit-producing drug or with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08%
or more by weight of alcohol.
No person shall operate any vessel in a reckless
or negligent manner which endangers the safety of other person or
property on, in or contiguous to waters under the jurisdiction of
the Division.
All vessels operating in waters under the jurisdiction
of the Division shall comply with the regulations as set forth by
the United States Coast Guard.
[Amended 8-15-2023 by Ord. No. 9-2023]
All boating on waters under the jurisdiction of the Division
shall be subject to all federal and state laws, rules and regulations
relating to vessels, including but not limited to the Federal Motorboat
Act of 1940 (46 U.S.C. § 525 et seq.), the Federal Safe
Boating Act of 1971 (46 U.S.C. § 1451 et seq.), and the
N.J.A.C. 13:82-3.1, Waterskiing.
No person shall operate or allow any person
to operate any vessel on waters under the jurisdiction of the Division
unless such vessel has serviceable United States Coast Guard (USCG)
approved PFD's for each person on board of the type(s) and number
required by the USCG for a vessel of that class.
All vessels in waters under the jurisdiction
of the Division shall comply with and pay heed to all regulatory buoys.
No buoys may be placed in waters under the jurisdiction of the Division
without prior permission of the Division.
The provisions of this Article may be modified
at the discretion of the Division or Department to accommodate special
events.