NO WAKE WARNINGS – WHEN YOU SEE THESE SIGNS USE CAUTION AND SLOW DOWN! LLMA WILL POST THESE SIGNS IN YOUR SUBDIVISION WHEN A “NO WAKE” WARNING IS IN EFFECT. PLEASE USE GOOD JUDGEMENT AND SLOW DOWN TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO PIERS AND PROPERTY THAT MAY BE UNDER WATER DUE TO HEAVY RAINS AND RUNOFF. PLEASE CHECK THIS WEBSITE FOR FURTHER UPDATES WHEN “NO WAKE” SIGNS ARE POSTED.
NEW BOATING LAWS IN ILLINOIS
NOTE: Illinois Boating Safety Education Requirements
On January 1, 2016, no person born on or after January 1, 1998, unless exempted by subsection below, shall operate a motorboat with over 10 horse power unless that person has a valid Boating Safety Certificate issued by the Department of Natural Resources or an entity or organization recognized and approved by the Department.
They have in possession a valid Boating Education Certificate of Competency sanctioned by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Safety Education Section. Or they are accompanied on the motorboat and under direct control of a parent or a guardian, or a person at least eighteen years of age designated by a parent or guardian.
Age Requirement: You must be at least 11 years of age to complete the Illinois online course.
Important Note
The online boating safety course covers a wide range of operating laws in Illinois. For a complete listing of Illinois’s boat operating rules and regulations, please consult Illinois Department of Natural Resource’s website at www.dnr.state.il.us
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REMEMBER: Effective January 1, 2015, three (3) new bills which were signed into law by former Governor Pat Quinn on July 5, 2014 took effect.
1. Illinois Senate Bill 2731 New Skier Tow Rules
This new law requires that any watercraft that is towing a person, such a water skier or tuber must display a bright ORANGE flag measuring not less than twelve (12) inches per side. This warning flag must be displayed from the time a person, to be towed (or water skier), leaves the boat and enters the water and must remain displayed until they return to the boat. The flag must fly from the highest part of the vessel as well.
Yes, that is an ORANGE flag. A quick Google search found dozens of fairly cheap flags that will suffice such as these for example.
2. Illinois Senate Bill 3434 Operating Under the Influence (OUI)
This new law allows for the seizure of a watercraft used in the commission of certain offenses related to operating under the influence (OUI). The new rules bring penalties for boating under the influence more in line with those for operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs or alcohol. Before folks panic here, understand that what this law, like the existing seizure of a motor vehicle law, gives a prosecutor another option when dealing with very serious OUI situations.
3. Illinois Senate Bill 3433 Mandatory Boater’s Education
This new law requires that all folks born after January 1, 1998 must take and pass a boating safety course that is validated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (ILDNR). Anybody born after January 1, 1998 must have and hold a valid certificate before they operate a motorboat with an engine over 10 horsepower on the waters of Illinois.
Make sure that you take an ILDNR approved course. There are numerous courses for boater safety online. I would recommend a person only take one that they are sure is approved by ILDNR.
Another note of caution: ILDNR, while it does have its own police force, is not as sophisticated as most modern police agencies. Should you have a family or household member who needs the training certificate, I would highly recommend printing a hard copy of this certificate and keeping it in a water proof bag on the actual watercraft the youngster is operating. This simple proactive step can mean the difference between a ticket and court appearance, and an enjoyable day out on the water.
Content taken from: http://ilboat.org/news/3315960
Tuesday, April 07, 2015 4:45 PM | Malissa Bader (Administrator ilboat.org/news)