Beginner Boater Refresher

This is a quick list of some of the information the Marine Patrol wants every new boater in Canyon Lake to keep in mind. This is not a complete list, but simply a refresher for those who have already taken the boater safety test.

 

1. LM.6.3 Follow Marine Patrol Directives
   All Lake Users must abide by Marine Patrol directives, written or verbal. NOTE: The Marine Patrol Captain may, at his/her discretion, make temporary changes to the Lake Use Rules to ensure the health and safety of all Lake Users.

2. LM.6.12 Right of Way
   All boats must yield to Marine Patrol vessels when emergency lights are flashing.

3. LM.6.7 Main Lake Ski Area Speed Limit
   Main Lake ski area, North Lake ski area, and Jump Lagoon have a speed limit of thirty-five (35) miles per hour during almanac hours of sunrise to sunset, five (5) miles per hour during almanac hours of sunset to sunrise, and during times of restricted visibility. East Bay, coves, and all other areas: five (5) miles per hour/no wake at all times (Note: speed limit of 5 mph is an approximate speed for the average boat to not throw an excessive wake. This is a general guideline. The firm rule for these areas is "NO EXCESSIVE WAKE." All boat captains should pay attention to make sure that their boat is not creating a wake as they travel through these areas.)

4. LM.6.13 Follow Counter-Clockwise Pattern
   All boats shall follow a counter-clockwise pattern, keeping shoreline on the right, at all times. Any boat NOT towing a skier may cut across the high-speed area, but must yield right of way to all boats operating in the counter-clockwise pattern. No 180-degree or 360-degree turns except as required by ski pattern or skier pick-up.

5. LM.6.8 Temporarily Restricted Speeds
   Temporarily Restricted Speeds: A RED FLAG flying from Holiday Harbor, designated Mast Heads or Buoys, signals that Main Lake is CLOSED. A YELLOW FLAG flying signifies use CAUTION: speeds are restricted to five (5) miles per hour.

6. LM.6.10 Lifejackets Required for All Minors Under Thirteen (13) Years of Age
   All persons under thirteen (13) years of age must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved lifejacket recommended for their weight while in any vessel that is underway.

7. LM.7.3 No Reckless or Negligent Behavior Allowed while Operating a Motorized Boat
   No person shall operate any vessel or any other water device in a reckless or negligent manner so as to endanger the life, limb or property of any person. This includes, but is not limited to, riding on the bow, gunwale, or transom of a vessel underway, entering a marked swim area or creating excessive wakes.

8. LM.7.4 All Powerboats Required to Operate from the Primary Operator's Station
   All powerboats must be operated from the primary operator's station only. All occupants, except the operator of the boat, must be properly seated when boat is operating at speeds over five (5) miles per hour.

9. LM.5.2 Restrictions for Swimming, Snorkeling, Skin Diving and/or Use of Small Flotation Devices
   Swimming, snorkeling, skin diving and use of small flotation devices shall not go beyond fifty (50) feet from shore and are prohibited in the Main Lake Ski Area. Exception: Members who have anchored their boat within a 5 MPH zone away from boat traffic lanes may swim/float within the immediate area surrounding their boat.

10. LM.6.24 Requirement for Passing Mid-Channel Buoys
    Mid-channel buoys must be on the boat's port (left) side as you pass them.

11. LM.6.29 Towing Through Tunnel
    Towing of occupied flotation devices through the causeway tunnel is prohibited.