Water Patrol

[jeb]

Lights on at night period end of subject if you do not have them on you are _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ and if you by not having them on cause the harm or death of another boater you disserve all the civil and criminal charges possible. There is no excuse in this world for not turning on the lights for safety. Personally that is one of the few activities that should be an instant removal of boating privileges and loss of drivers license and if children are involved Child endangerment charges.

I have seen several bad wrecks because someone didn't want to run them including a fatality all because someone didn't want to flip a switch and ignored safety laws. I myself have almost ran into a few people because of it and it is the one certain violation I will always call the sheriff about.

Very well said, and I'm in complete agreement with you. It ticks me off that people play with MY life and well being in this manner. Turn your lights on and leave them on at night. On these highly trafficked lakes, you're just asking for trouble by not running them.

[littlejasper]

Mo. Code 306.100. No lights within 50' of bank, unless a boat is in the immediate vicinity.

[littlejasper]

I was less than 30' from the bank. Got a ticket. Couldn't get to switch, so flashed my headlamp. Bad move according to WP. He buzzed me so close he put water in my boat. Why was he so close to the bank?? I asked if he had GPS ... He replied he did. I then said wouldn't it be safer in the middle of lake?? He was an easy jig pitch when he passed by. Long story short, i should have flashed lights, he should use some common sense. First ticket in 30 years. Thanks...i'd still be there to help you if you needed it.

[littlejasper]

Quill, look it up. Mo. code 300.106. Might be helpful. Although you don't nite fish....

[Quillback]

: http://law.justia.com/codes/missouri/2011/titlexix/chapter306/section306100

You guys are right, here's the section on that

Any watercraft used by a person engaged in the act of sportfishing is not required to display any lights required by this section ifno other vessel is within the immediate vicinity of the first vessel, thevessel is using an electric trolling motor and the vessel is within fiftyfeet of the shore. - See more at: http://statutes.laws.com/missouri/t19/c306/306_100#sthash.yGfXI340.dpuf

What they mean by "immediate vicinity" is a big question.

[Feathers and Fins]

I actually night fish a great deal during winter months ( full moon phase ) It is when I catch some of the biggest fish of the year and seldom see another boat but still will run lights. Squabbling over safety issues is like baking a cake and telling people that are starving they cannot have it because its only there for looks. Both are stupid, You Bake a Cake to eat it and You have lights at night for safety Both should be used for the purpose they are made for!

[Quillback]

Quill, look it up. Mo. code 300.106. Might be helpful. Although you don't nite fish....

I do fish before sunrise sometimes, so it is good to know.

[fishinwrench]

What they mean by "immediate vicinity" is a big question.

Yeah that has to be subject to proof that you KNEW another vessel was there. They (another vessel) may be fishing within 50' of the bank nearby too, therefore No Lights/No Noise/No Knowledge of another vessel.

Whaddaya know....yet another Gray Area

[Quillback]

Yeah that has to be subject to proof that you KNEW another vessel was there. They (another vessel) may be fishing within 50' of the bank nearby too, therefore No Lights/No Noise/No Knowledge of another vessel.

Whaddaya know....yet another Gray Area

Yep, you are right. If a guy got a ticket for this, I'd think you'd have a good chance of getting it dismissed if you took it to court. I can see other possible loopholes.

[Feathers and Fins]

Lets just make it simple ACE lakes are Federal Property and thus under Federal Regulations as well as State, State being secondary and the Federal regulation is simple

Navigation Lights

Recreational vessels are required to display navigation lights between sunset and sunrise and other periods of reduced visibility (fog, rain, haze etc.). The U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Rules, International-Inland encompasses lighting requirements for every description of watercraft. The information provided here is intended for power-driven and sailing vessels less than 20 meters.

Anchored Vessels

Power-driven vessels and sailing vessels at anchor must display anchor lights. An anchor light for a vessel less than 50 meters in length is an all-around white light visible for 2 miles exhibited where it can best be seen (see Figure 7). Also vessels at anchor shall exhibit forward where best seen, a ball shape (see Figure 8).

Vessels less than 7 meters are not required to display anchor lights unless anchored in or near a narrow channel, fairway or anchorage or where other vessels normally navigate.

Normal navigation pretty much is anyplace on the lakes. So simply put turn on the dam lights.