CHAPTER 105. OPERATIONAL CONDITIONS

 A condition requiring immediate corrective actions shall exist when a boat:

   (1)  Does not display the navigation lights prescribed by §  95.3 (relating to lights for boats) between sunset and sunrise or during periods of reduced visibility.

   (2)  Has fuel leakage from either the fuel system, engine or another source.

   (3)  Has an accumulation of fuel in the bilges or a compartment other than a fuel tank.

   (4)  Does not meet the ventilation requirements for tanks and engine spaces prescribed by §  95.5 (relating to ventilation).

   (5)  Does not meet the requirements for backfire flame control prescribed by §  95.6 (relating to backfire flame control).

   (6)  Is overloaded or improperly loaded.

   (7)  Is operating immediately above or below dams and reservoir structures and discharge from water impoundments.

   (8)  Is pulling a water skier without the required observer aboard.

   (9)  Is being operated with insufficient serviceable personal flotation devices onboard as described by §  97.1 (relating to personal flotation devices).

 (a)  It is unlawful for an operator of a boat to fail to follow the directions of a waterways conservation officer or other person authorized to enforce the code to take immediate and reasonable steps necessary for the safety of persons or property when the officer reasonably believes that a condition requiring immediate corrective actions may exist.

 (b)  Directions may include requiring the operator to do one or more of the following:

   (1)  Correct the condition immediately.

   (2)  Proceed to a mooring, dock or anchorage.

   (3)  Suspend further use of the boat until the condition is corrected.

 It is unlawful to:

   (1)  Operate a motorboat not equipped with railings or other safeguards at greater than a slow, no wake speed while a person is riding on bow decking, gunwales, transom or motor cover. It is not a violation of this paragraph to ride on the motor cover of an inboard motorboat while underway at that speed if the motor cover is designed by the manufacturer for the operator or a passenger to ride on it.

   (2)  Operate a motorboat—less than 20 feet in length—at greater than slow, no wake speed while a person is standing on or in the boat. It is not a violation of this paragraph if the boat is designed for the operator or a passenger, or both, to stand while underway at that speed.

   (3)  Operate or stop a boat in a marked marine event area in violation of the conditions of the event.

   (4)  Operate or stop a boat in a manner that interferes with the conduct of a permitted marine event.

   (5)  Cause a boat to become airborne or completely leave the water while crossing the wake of another boat when within 100 feet of the boat creating the wake.

   (6)  Weave through congested traffic.

   (7)  Follow too close to another boat, including personal watercraft. For the purposes of this paragraph, following too close shall be construed as operating in excess of slow, no wake speed within 100 feet to the rear or 50 feet to the side of another boat that is underway, unless the boats are operating in a narrow channel, in which case the boats may operate at the speed and flow of other boat traffic.

   (8)  Operate within 100 feet of a water-skier being towed by another boat.

   (9)  Operate a pontoon boat while a person is riding outside the passenger carrying area. The passenger carrying area is defined by continuous railings or enclosed spaces intended for persons to use while the pontoon boat is underway. This prohibition does not apply when the operator of the boat is docking, mooring, anchoring or rafting the pontoon boat or when the pontoon boat is underway at slow minimum height swell speed or less.

   (10)  Operate a motorboat at any speed with a person or persons sitting, riding or hanging on a swim platform or swim ladder attached to the motorboat, except when launching, retrieving, docking or anchoring the motorboat.

   (11)  Operate a motorboat at any speed when towing a person on waterskis or other devices using a tow rope of 20 feet or less.

   The provisions of this §  105.3 amended under the Fish and Boat Code, 30 Pa.C.S. §  5123.

 (a)  A person may not operate a boat when the boat is loaded with passengers or cargo beyond its safe carrying capacity, taking into consideration weather and other existing operating conditions.

 (b)  A person may not operate a boat loaded in a manner that adversely affects its trim or stability.

   The provisions of this §  105.10 adopted June 22, 1990, effective June 23, 1990, 20 Pa.B. 3502; reserved June 3, 1994, effective June 4, 1994, 24 Pa.B. 2795. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (147918).