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BOATING
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Notice:
New State Boating Rules in 2008!
Click here for more information.
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City of Bonney Lake Boating:
The City of Bonney Lake is home to multiple lakes. The two public lakes open for boaters are Lake Tapps and Lake Bonney. The Boat Launch at Lake Tapps requires a Boat Launch Card or electronic payment at the launch. City residents can buy one card per vessel per year for $25.00 ($100.00 replacement fee). Non-City residents pay per launch $8.50 each way ($17.00 round trip). See Bonney Lake Municipal Code Chapter 12.12.051.
These cards can be purchased at the Utility Counter at City Hall, 19306 Bonney Lake Blvd, a few blocks south of Lake Tapps. For verification of residency please see our City Limits Map or call our Utilities Cashier. Lake Bonney is a small lake only suitable for small boats without combustion engines. For information on Lake Deborah Jane or other privately owned lakes, as well as private boat launches see the appropriate section of the Homeowner’s Association page.
Boat Launches around Pierce County & Washington State:
Pierce County offers many boating opportunities. There are many bodies of water around Bonney Lake, including rivers, lakes and the Puget Sound. Pierce County parks with Boat Launches can be found on the Pierce County Parks website.
Joemma Beach State Park, which is located in Pierce County, has a salt water boat launch. Visit the Washington State Parks website to learn more about this park and other State Parks outside Pierce County.
NEW! State Boating Rules & Regulations:
The Washington State Mandatory Boating Safety Education Law went into effect on January 1, 2008. The new law requires boaters aged 12 years and older to pass a boating safety course or an equivalency exam and to obtain a Boater Education Card before operating a motorized vessel of 15 horsepower or greater.
For more information please see the Washington State Parks Boating Program website or contact their offices (360) 586-6592 or boating@parks.wa.gov.
The City of Bonney Lake offers Boating Safety Education courses. For a list of boating safety courses around the State, see the State’s Boating Program website.
2008 Course Offerings:
¤ Space is limited; register ASAP!
¤ Each 8-hour course begins at 8:00 a.m.
¤ Dates:
March 8, 2008
April 19, 2008
May 10, 2008
June 7, 2008
June 14, 2008
¤ Contact:
Officer Vince Sainati
(253) 863-2218, sainativ@ci.bonney-lake.wa.us
¤ Course/Card Costs:
$35.00 Course Fee
$10.00 Card Fee (payable to WA State Parks)
City of Bonney Lake Boating Regulations
Bonney Lake Watercraft Regulations are located in Municipal Code Chapter 16.16.
To view complete Boating Rules, download the Police Department’s Boating Regulations.pdf (29 KB)
¤ Legal Age of Operation:
For any vessel powered over 10 horsepower, the operator must be at least 16 years of age. Operators under the age of 16 must have a parent or guardian present in the vessel.
¤ Required Vessel Safety Equipment:
Personal floatation devices (life jackets) are required in every vessel for each person on board. The life jacket must be of appropriate size, in serviceable condition and readily available. Additionally, vessels 16 feet or longer must also carry a throw-able type IV floatation device. Every Child 12 Years Of Age Or Younger Must Wear A Coast Guard Approved Personal Floatation Device While On Board Any Vessel, Except While In A Cabin. Vessels shall also have a fire extinguisher and a sound producing device (i.e. Horn or whistle)
¤ Vessel Registration:
You are required to carry the vessel registration certificate on board at all times. In Washington State, vessel registrations expire every year on June 30th. On the first of July, every boater should have the new validation sticker displayed on the vessel behind the hull numbers.
¤ Speed Limits And Hours Of Operation:
During the hours of darkness, between legal sunset and legal sunrise, no vessel may exceed 8 MPH. Speeds of 5 MPH or less are required when operating within 200 feet of shore, docks, bridges, or public swimming or boat launching facilities. The maximum speed limit on Lake Tapps is 60 MPH providing you are at least 200 ft. from shore and at least 100 ft. from any other vessel. Speeds of 5 Mph or less are required.
¤ Direction of Travel:
The general direction of travel is counter-clockwise around the lake. This means that when traveling over 8 MPH you must keep the shoreline on your starboard or right side.
¤ Restricted Areas and Buoys:
Certain areas of the lake have been designated as restricted or regulated areas. A visible system of buoys has been installed to identify these areas. Please observe and obey all restrictions and speed limits. It is illegal to move or remove any marker buoy placed by law enforcement. Additionally, it is unlawful to strike or damage a buoy in any way. Marker buoys are not for boat moorage or swimming activities.
¤ Reckless or Negligent Operation:
It will be considered reckless to operate a vessel while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug. Boating under the influence (BUI) will be aggressively prosecuted. Negligent operation may include disregard of careful and prudent operation and speeds.
¤ Water Skiing Safety:
An observer is required when towing any person on water skis, inner tubes, kneeboards, or other water toys. They shall continuously observe the person being towed and immediately display a flag whenever the person is in the water. The flag must be at least a 12 inch square mounted on a 24 inch pole or longer and be either bright red or brilliant orange in color. A life jacket is to be worn by the person being towed. You must take off and land your skier as near to perpendicular as possible but in no case less than a forty-five degree angle to any shoreline or dock.
¤ Personal Watercraft Safety:
A life jacket is required. No one may operate a PWC without attaching the lanyard to his or her person, clothing or PFD. It is illegal to disable or remove an engine cutoff switch. You must be at least 16 to operate a PWC. It cannot be operated after legal sunset or before legal sunrise. It is illegal to operate a PWC in a reckless manner, additionally you must carry a fire extinguisher and sound signaling device. A PWC must be registered just like an ordinary vessel.
¤ No Rafting of Boats:
The tying off of two of more vessels (commonly known as rafting) is now against boating regulations. The only exception to this on Lake Tapps is next to Dyke #4 which is located just to the North of the Pierce County Park.
¤ Vessel Inspections: Marine services officers will make courtesy inspections of vessels both on the water and at the launch facility. Our primary concern is for boating safety and education. If you would like to schedule a vessel inspection at your residence please call the Police Department at (253) 863-2218. Upon successful completion you will be provided with a safety inspection sticker which will save you time getting in the water at the boat launch.
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