§ 3316. Regattas; races; marine parades; tournaments; water skiing events or exhibitions;
triathlons
(a) The Commissioner of Public Safety may authorize the holding of public regattas, motorboat
or other vessel races, marine parades, tournaments, water skiing events, exhibitions,
or triathlons on any waters of this State and any associated public roads. He or she
shall adopt and may, from time to time, amend rules concerning the safety of motorboats
and other vessels and individuals on these vessels, either observers or participants,
and of individuals swimming, cycling, or running in or observing an event. Whenever
a public regatta, motorboat or other vessel race, marine parade, tournament, water
skiing event, exhibition, or triathlon is proposed to be held, the person in charge
shall, at least 15 days prior to the event, file an application with the Department
of Public Safety for permission to hold the regatta, motorboat or other vessel race,
marine parade, tournament, water skiing event, exhibition, or triathlon. A copy of
such application shall be sent to the municipality and organized lake association
where the event is to be held 15 days in advance of the event to allow for comment.
The application shall set forth the date, time, and location where it is proposed
to hold the regatta, motorboat or other vessel race, marine parade, tournament, water
skiing event, exhibition, or triathlon, and it shall not be conducted without authorization
of the Department of Public Safety in writing, except that this provision shall not
apply to unscheduled vessel races to which the public has not been invited.
(b) The provisions of this section shall not exempt any person from compliance with applicable
federal law or regulation, but nothing contained in this section shall be construed
to require the securing of a State permit if a permit has been obtained from an authorized
agency of the United States. (Added 1983, No. 212 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; amended 1985, No. 90, § 6, eff. Jan. 1, 1986; 1989, No. 159 (Adj. Sess.), § 5; 1999, No. 148 (Adj. Sess.), § 80, eff. May 24, 2000; 2021, No. 76, § 20.)