Boating Regulations and Safety Information

Quagga/Zebra Mussel info
California Department of Fish and Game
INFORMATION LINE (866) 440-9530, FROM 8 A.M. TO 5 P.M.

The Shasta County Sheriff's Boating Safety Unit office/headquarters is located at Bridge Bay Resort on Shasta Lake. Map showing Bridge Bay Resort (The phone numbers below are for the Boating Safety Unit and not Bridge Bay Resort.) Shasta County Sheriff's Boating Safety (530) 245-6075 FAX (530) 245-6076 Shasta County Sheriff Boating Safety Unit Download boating regulations in Adobe Acrobat format (.PDF, 438K) Picture of a Shasta County Sheriff Patrol Boat

Current Water Level (Lake level)

Shasta Lake water level maps (click and go to bottom of page)

BOAT SAFE AND SOBER Alcohol and drug use have been cited as contributing factors in many boating injuries, accidents and fatalities. Studies indicate that the effects of alcohol and drugs are more pronounced when operating a boat. Alcohol and/or drug use combined with wind, increased noise levels, vibration, wave action and sun glare have been shown to have a tremendous adverse influence on judgement and response times. It is unlawful to operate a recreational vessel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Under California State law, a person with a blood alcohol level of .08% or greater is considered to be under the influence.

Carbon Monoxide DANGERS Carbon Monoxide Hazards on Recreational Boats Carbon Monoxide - uscgboating.org

Boating Safety Links

Shasta County Sheriff Boating Safety Unit

Use Permits, Safety Issues, & Regulations for Shasta Lake (U.S. Forest Service)

Boating Safety Videos online (U.S. Forest Service)

Shasta Lake Boating Regulations at the U.S. Forest Service website

Download Boating Regulations in PDF format (Adobe Acrobat file 439KB)

California Department of Boating and Waterways

ABCs of the California Boating Law - 2007
Adobe Acrobat (PDF) files

Boating Safety and Education

Some "Water Traffic Markers" on Shasta Lake

Most Common Boating Violations
Encountered on Shasta Lake:

Intoxicated operators with a blood alcohol level of .08 or more. Alcohol is involved in 39% of all fatal boating accidents in the state of California.

COMMONLY VIOLATED LAWS
SHASTA COUNTY ORDINANCES
SCO 12.24.070	Water-skiing in restricted areas, posted
SCO 12.24.090	5 MPH Zones Within 100' of shore or moored vessel Within 200' of launch ramp, boat dock or moorage area Any posted 5 MPH zone
SCO 12.24.110	Racing prohibited
SCO 12.24.120	Nighttime speed limit 15 MPH 30 minutes after sunset
SCO 12.24.130	Waste Disposal / Littering
SCO 12.24.140	Anchoring vessel in heavily traveled channel prohibited
SCO 12.24.150	Prohibited boating areas as posted
SCO 12.24.160	Channel swimming prohibited
SCO 8.12.010	Fireworks Prohibited
HARBOR & NAVIGATION CODE
H&N 655(a)	Reckless & Negligent Operation (Misdemeanor) Bow, Gunwale or Transom riding Multiple violations
H&N 655(b) & (c)	Boating Under the Influence
PERSONAL WATERCRAFT
H&N 655.7(a)	Lanyard-type cutoff engine switch required
H&N 655.7(c)	Wake jumping within 100' of another vessel
H&N 655.7(d)	Operation between Sunrise and Sunset
H&N 658.3(c)	Personal Floatation Device (PFD) required
LIFE JACKET / PERSONAL FLOATATION DEVICE (PFD)
H&N 658.3(a)	PFD required less than 12 years old
SKIING
H&N 658(a)	Ski observer required - 12 years or older
H&N 658(b)	Skiing between Sunset and Sunrise prohibited
H&N 658.3(c)	Skier required to wear PFD
H&N 658.7(a)	Ski flag required to display
H&N 681	Teak Surfing prohibited
REGISTRATION
VC 9850	Expired Registration
VC 9853.2	Registration Card on-board
CCR T14 190.01	Display of Registration sticker
EQUIPMENT
CCR T14 6600.1	Lights required Sunset to Sunrise
CCR T14 6565	PFD required for each occupant
OTHER CODES
B&P 25662	Minor in possession of alcohol (must be at least 21 years old)
PC 272	Contributing to the delinquency of a minor (18 years old)
H&S 12677	Possession of Fireworks
H&S 11357(b)	Possession of Marijuana - less than 1 oz.
PC 369(i)	Trespass on Railroad Property
F&G 7145(a)	Fishing License

Boating Regulations
Shasta Lake Station
Shasta Lake Unit
Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area
Shasta-Trinity National Forest

Registration and Permits... All vessels must be registered and numbered except boats propelled manually, sail boats eight feet or less in length without other means of propulsion, and certain public vessels. Out of state registration is valid for 90 days. In addition, some boats, such as houseboats, require a Forest Service permit to be on the lake in excess of 30 days per calendar year. This restriction applies primarily to boats equipped for overnight use. Contact the Shasta Lake District Office or the Shasta-Trinity National Forest Supervisor's Office during business hours for more information on this subject

General Rules... The boat operator is responsible for knowing the laws and regulations governing Shasta Lake, boat operations, and the conduct of passengers in the boat. The law shall not prevent common sense precautions which may be required by the ordinary practice of seamen or by special circumstances. The operator must know the proper procedures in the event of a boating accident.

Reckless or Negligent Operation... includes riding on the bow, gunwale or transom of a boat when underway if there is no protective railing; maneuvering towed skiers or other devices, so as to pass the towline over another vessel; navigating a towing vessel and it's tow; and operating under the influence of intoxicants or drugs. Other actions such as speeding or skiing in confined or restricted areas or "buzzing" or "wetting down" others can also be construed to be reckless or negligent operation.

Speed... is limited to five (5) miles per hour within 100 feet of swimmers (not skiers), and 200 feet of swimming beaches, landings, boat ramps, and docks. Many coves are restricted to five miles per hour by buoy. The night time speed limit of fifteen (15) miles per hour is in effect from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise.

Water-skiing... is prohibited from sunset to sunrise. Water-skiing is prohibited in the Pit Arm above Brown's Canyon and on the Sacramento Arm upstream from Middle Salt Creek Inlet near Lakehead and in Salt Creek Inlet. Additional areas of the lake are closed to water-skiing when substantial drawdowns occur. These vary with the extent of the drawdown and are marked by buoys. In addition to the operator, there must be another person at least 12 years old in a position to watch the person being towed. Watercraft operators must be 16 years of age. If there is a 3rd person in the boat, a person between the ages of 12 - 15 can operate a boat or personal watercraft only under the direct supervision of someone 18 years of age or older. The 18 year old must be attentive and supervising and not be an observer.

Special Regulations for Personal Watercraft...

1. A lanyard must be attached between the watercraft and the operator or operator's clothing

2. The operator of a personal watercraft cannot jump a wake within 100 feet of a boat.

3. Personal watercraft cannot be driven towards another vessel.

4. Personal watercraft cannot be operated from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise.

Engine Noise... must be muffled or otherwise prevented from exceeding 82 dB(A) noise levels when recorded at a distance of 50 feet. Boats manufactured before January 1, 1978 may run at levels up to 86 dB(A). Authorities generally agree that unbaffled exhaust pipes can not meet the above standards.

Sanitation... on the lake prohibits discharges from holding tanks. Shasta lake is a "no discharge" lake. Tanks must be sealed. Emptying holding tanks anywhere (including at Floating Toilets) other than at approved marina pumping stations is prohibited.

Moorage... is not permitted at Forest Service courtesy docks in excess of fifteen minutes. Vessels 26' or longer are not allowed to dock at Forest Service courtesey docks. Residential occupancy is not permitted at marinas. Some shoreline areas are closed to public use; moorage is prohibited in these areas. Boats may not be left unattended for more than 24 hours except at approved marinas and docks. Boats may not camp within 200 feet of a developed recreation site.

Fire Permits... are required during fire season (usually May through October) when using hibachis, portable stoves, barbecues, or campfires on the shoreline, or on board when the boat is touching the shoreline. Fire permits are not required for stoves, ranges, or lighting devices built into the vessel, nor are they required for campfires in developed campgrounds.

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT:

Flotation Devices... All boats must have wearable flotation devices for everyone on board. In addition, ALL boats over 16' must have one throwable flotation device for the boat. The flotation devices must be in serviceable condition: i.e. no broken straps, missing hardware, or missing or faced approval numbers. Wearable devices must be in the proper sizes for the occupants and immediately available. The throwable device must be stowed to allow immediate access.

Persons being towed, such as skiers, are considered on board and are included in the number of flotation devices required. On all boats over 16' (except canoes and kayaks), the flotation devices must be a wearable type (Types I, II, or III). On boats over 16' one throwable (Type IV) is required.



FIRE EXTINGUISHER REQUIREMENTS:

Fire Extinguishers... are required on all motorboats 26' long or less with enclosed gas tanks or enclosed engines. They must be approved for marine use and at least B-I in size. (see below)

For vessels without extinguisher systems...

Boat Length	Requirement
less than 26'	1 B-I
26' to 40'	2 B-II or 1 B-II
40' to 65'	3 B-I or 1 B-II + 1 B-I

Ventilation and Backfire Flame Control Devices are required on all boats except outboards. Horns or Whistles are required on vessels 16' or longer and all vessels must have some means of making an efficient sound signal other than voice. Running Lights are required on all vessels between sunset and sunrise. Manually propelled vessels must have at least one hand held white light. The design, size and number of each of the above devices is dictated by the type and size of the vessel. See "The ABCs of California Boating Law" for specific requirements.

Boating on Shasta Lake is regulated by State and Federal Boating Laws, County Ordinances, and Orders issued by the Supervisor of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. For questions regarding boating laws, contact the Shasta County Sheriff's Boating and Safety Unit at Shasta Lake.

(version 3/2003)

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The Shasta County Sheriff's Boating Safety Unit office/headquarters is located at Bridge Bay Resort on Shasta Lake. Map showing Bridge Bay Resort
(The phone numbers below are for the Boating Safety Unit and not Bridge Bay Resort.)

Shasta County Sheriff's Boating Safety
(530) 245-6075
FAX (530) 245-6076
Shasta County Sheriff Boating Safety Unit

Download boating regulations in Adobe Acrobat format (.PDF, 438K)

Picture of a Shasta County Sheriff Patrol Boat