Page 12 - TRLCC Boat Smart 2021 Digital Version

SAFE BOATING

Things You Need To Know

It’s the Law
Missouri’s Boater Education Law State law requires that operators of a
went into effect January 1, 2005. The motorboat (other than a PWC) on the
law states that any waters of Missouri lakes between the
person born after hours of 11:00 a.m. and sunset must
January 1, 1984 must clearly display a red or orange flag
successfully pass whenever a person enters the water
a Missouri Boater before or after being towed on water
Education class/test skis or other similar devices.
before operating any
motorized vessel on A common mistake is for boaters to fly
the lakes in Missouri. the flag as they are actively towing a
water skier or tuber. PWC and moored
safety fIrst or anchored motorboats are exempt
Missouri law also requires each vessel from displaying the skier-down flag.
to have one appropriately sized, Vessel operators must not operate
U.S. Coast Guard approved personal within 50 yards of a displayed skier-
flotation device (PFD) for each down flag.
passenger on board. Nine out of ten
drowning victims were not wearing when the sun goes Down
a life jacket. We recommend that Given the dangers of the vast and
boaters wear a life jacket at all times complex Table Rock Lake waterway,
while underway. you should slow down at night. On
Missouri’s biggest reservoirs, including
Children under seven years old are Table Rock Lake, the speed limit is 30
required by law to wear a PFD while miles per hour from a half-hour after
aboard any vessel, unless they are in sunset until one hour before sunrise.
a totally enclosed cabin, such as on a
houseboat. Always keep your vessel’s lights
in working order and check them
Another required piece of boating before navigating at night. The
safety equipment on every law requires a 360-degree
vessel 16 feet or longer is a white stern light and a red and
throwable personal flotation green light on the bow.
device, such as a seat
cushion or a ring buoy. no wake Buoys
No Wake Idle Speed Buoys are the
what Do I Do wIth thIs most common buoys you will see on
orange fLag? Table Rock Lake…and the warnings
Perhaps the most often misused should be adhered to, no exceptions.
accoutrement found on boats at Table Wherever you are on the lake, always
Rock Lake is the orange (or red) flag. own your wake!

12 Boat Smart Table Rock Lake