Public Act 90-0412 of the 90th General Assembly
Public Act 90-0412
SB496 Enrolled LRB9000544NTsb
AN ACT to amend the Boat Registration and Safety Act by
changing Sections 5-14 and 7-10 and adding Section 5-21.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The Boat Registration and Safety Act is
amended by changing Sections 5-14 and 7-10 and by adding
Section 5-21 as follows:
(625 ILCS 45/5-14) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 315-9)
Sec. 5-14. Water Skiing. A. No person may operate a
motorboat that which has in tow or is otherwise assisting a
person on water skis, an aquaplane, or a similar contrivance,
in or upon any waterway, unless the such motorboat has a
capacity of at least 3 persons and is occupied by at least 2
competent persons.
B. No person may operate a motorboat having in tow or
otherwise be assisting a person on water skis, aquaplane or
similar contrivance from the period of one-half hour after
sunset to one-half hour before sunrise. This paragraph B does
not apply to motorboats used in duly authorized water ski
tournaments, competitions, exhibitions or trials therefor
where adequate lighting is provided.
C. All persons operating a motorboat having in tow or
otherwise assisting a person on water skis, aquaplane or
similar contrivance, must be careful and prudent in their
operation and keep at a reasonable distance from persons and
property so as not to endanger the life or property of any
person.
D. No person may operate or manipulate any vessel, tow
rope or other device by which the direction or location of
water skis, aquaplane, or similar device may be affected or
controlled in such a way as to cause the water skis,
aquaplane, or similar device, or any persons thereon to
collide with or strike against any person or object, except
ski jumps, buoys and like objects normally used in
competitive or recreational skiing.
(Source: P.A. 82-783.)
(625 ILCS 45/5-21 new)
Sec. 5-21. Passenger location. No person operating a
motorboat shall allow a person in the motorboat to ride or
sit on the gunwales, tops of seat backs, or on the decking
over the bow or stern of the motorboat while the motorboat is
underway, unless the person is inboard of guards or rails
provided on the motorboat to prevent passengers from being
lost overboard.
Nothing in this Section shall be construed to prohibit
entry upon the decking over the bow or stern of the motorboat
for the purpose of anchoring, mooring, or casting off or some
other necessary purpose nor to prohibit customary practices
while lawfully engaged in commercial fishing under the
provisions of the Fish and Aquatic Life Code or hunting and
trapping under the provisions of the Wildlife Code.
The provisions of this Section shall not apply to the
driver of the boat, a person while fishing or to a person on
private property.
(625 ILCS 45/7-10) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 317-10)
Sec. 7-10. Unlawful rental of personal watercraft or
specialty prop-craft.
(a) A livery shall not lease, hire or rent a personal
watercraft or a specialty prop-craft to, or for operation by,
any person who is under 16 12 years of age.
(b) Any person convicted of violating this Section is
guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
(Source: P.A. 87-798.)