Guess I must have missed out on the good ol' days if drivin your boat smashed ass shammard drunk.  Man, do I love beer.. something about the patrol boats in Laughlin makes me too nervous to enjoy myself if I want a few beers. Especially when you have smashengers (drunk passengers) I can't stand drunks unless Im one if them.

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Whats the law for passengers drinking? I've heard contradicting answers. Can they have a open container while the boat is in operation?

On my boat I say no. I want people paying attention and hanging on. You never know when you have to make a quick turn to squirt some river ants.  Your all ready driving a hotrod boat full of near naked women "hopefully " you dont need unwanted attention from the popo.

Whats the law for passengers drinking? I've heard contradicting answers. Can they have a open container while the boat is in operation?

Try to avoid it...they'll spill their beer if you hit a wake and then
You'll have to clean it up.

I'm working on shock absorber mounted bar bouys to remedy this problem

Not that I drink and drive, I'm talking water and the such Just for the pasengers, they spill and all no biggen deal, just wash it out, it is a boat after all

Thanks Glen,thot it was pretty decent LOL

This is a great thread, I'm looking into buying a jet boat and trying to soak in all the knowledge that this awesome site provides!!


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I would just like to say that I live in a state, and near a large lake that saftey is LAST. Every big holiday weekend there is ether a fatality or severe injury. Recently two kids being pulled in a tube were hit by a Jet Ski going Mach 2 and not paying attention. the parents of one child had to make the decision to remove her from life support.On Memorial day weekend a drunk rammed his fishing boat into a pontoon and killed two brothers 9 and 13. It is a wild circus out there, no flag required for downed skier. We must police ourselves or the Government will. BE SAFE

unfortunately we are doomed to be governed , which is sad.but there are jack asses on the water, in every lake.

It's now an alcohol-free lake because some saggy shorts, knee-high white socked guys got into a knife fight and booze was detected on both of them.
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lol i love how they banned alcohol on the lake for something not even boating related...

Due to the large presence of the Law Enforcement on the water doing safety checks lately, I figured it would be a good idea to put together a list of items they are looking for. This will help you avoid getting cited for items and having to pay fines - and more importantly, be safe. Alan (aka Boat Cop on PB) works for the Lapaz County Sheriff and assisted me putting together a list of items.

Be Sober - I think this is self explanatory

Registration - Make sure your registration is current and you have your certificate of numbers (registration card) with you on the boat

Numbers properly displayed – Block letters, minimum 3” in height, contrasting color to the hull, visible from 50’ away, and properly spaced: AZ 1234 AB or AZ-1234-AB. Current annual decal displayed.

Life Jackets - One Type I, II, III, or V wearable PFD for each person on board. For a type V to be counted, it must be worn. (must be USCG approved, readily accessible and in good, serviceable condition). Also, if the boat is over 16 feet in length, you must carry One Type IV (throwable) PFD. The Type IV throwable must be immediately available. Children 12 years old and under must wear their PFD when the boat is underway. (Underway means not moored, anchored or aground. Drifting with the engine off IS underway)

Example of Type IV Throwable PFDs


Visual Distress signals – Must be carried on Coastal Waters (Ocean) and the Great Lakes. Not required, but recommended, on inland waters.

Fire Extinguisher – Boats less than 26 ft have to have 1 class B1 hand held F/E. 26 ft to less than 40 ft – 2 B1 F/E or 1 B2 F/E. 40 ft to 65 ft 3 BI F/Es or 1 B2 & 1 B1. Fire Extinguishers must be USCG Approved, fully charged, in good condition and readily accessible. A fixed system in the engine compartment can take the place of 1 B1 F/E regardless of size. (Arizona requires that boats less than 26 ft carry a hand held B1 even if equipped with a fixed system)

Sound Producing Device - A vessel over 39.4 ft (12 meters) must, at a minimum, have some means of making an "efficient" sound signal - (i.e. handheld air horn, powered horn, etc. - Human voice/sound not acceptable). Must be audible for at least ½ mile. Boats under 39.4 feet don’t have to carry a horn or whistle, but are required to give proper sound signals, when required.

Ventilation - All vessels with enclosed engine must have natural ventilation (at least two ducts fitted with cowls). All vessels built after 31 July 1980 must have rated power exhaust blower.

Backfire Flame Arrestor - Required on gasoline engines

Navigation Lights - Required to be displayed from sunset to sunrise and in or near areas of reduced visibility. In California, Personal Watercraft cannot be operated between sunset and sunrise whether they have lights or not

Muffling devices – Each boat must be equipped with an effective means to muffle the exhaust noise. The device(s) must be in constant operation and reduce noise to certain levels

Ski flag – To be displayed if there is a skier (or rope, in California) down in the water.

Ski Observer – Must be 12 years of age or older and constantly observing the skier.

CA: A person under 16 may not operate any vessel greater than 8 HP alone. 12 to 15 may operate with an adult actually on board the vessel. Under 12 may not operate.

AZ: A person under 12 may not operate any vessel greater than 8 HP alone. Under 12 may operate with an adult actually on board the vessel.

The Colorado River and its lakes are dual jurisdiction waterways, where each state (AZ, CA, NV, UT) may enforce their own laws anywhere on the River or lake. You may be required to comply with the most restrictive law, when there are differences in regulations (ie age of operation)

Check local laws and regulations wherever you boat, as they may differ from these. Taking a safe boating course will help you learn and understand the law and safe boating practices.

It's always a good idea to use boating safety. When you don't it's not good for anyone.

I don't think this question has been asked yet, do you need to have a flag displayed if you are floating your boat down river with people in the water?

Anytime you have someone in the water the flag should be out.

-beerjet-