HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 94-088-CC4
GRANT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Grant County, Washington
ORDINANCE NO. 94 -86 -CC
AMENDING CHAPTER 6.08 OF THE GRANT COUNTY CODE RELATING TO
BOATING ORDINANCE DEFINITIONS AND PROSCRIBED CONDUCT
BE IT ORDAINED:
Section 1: New sub -sections are added to Chapter 6.08, Section 3, of the
Grant County Code to read:
NEW SECTION. Section 3. Definitions:
(r) "Personal Watercraft" means a vessel of less than sixteen feet
that uses a motor powering a water jet pump, as its primary source
of motive power and that is designed to be operated by a person
sitting, standing, or kneeling on, or being towed behind a vessel,
rather than in the conventional manner of sitting or standing
inside the vessel.
(s) "Water Skiing" means the physical act of being towed behind a
vessel on, but not limited to, any skis ..._aouanlane.._knee.board.. .
tube, or any other similar device.
Section 2: Chapter 6.08, Section 9, of th+
to read:
Section 9. P.F.D Requirements for Recrc
Feet: All Boats less than sixteen (16)
canoes and kayaks, must have one TYPE
P. F. D. of a suitable size for each person c Ia�
skiers being towed by vessel. Persons v
shall wear at least a Type III P.F.D. at 'y L
is underway.
Section 3: Chapter 6.08, Section 10, of thi
to read: ' v
Section 10. P.F.D. Requirements for Reed ") 31 �Q—`-
and over: All boats sixteen (16) feet or; _
one TYPE I, II, or III (wearable) P.F.D. of a suitable size for
each person on board; including water skiers being towed by
vessel. Also one TYPE IV (Throwable) P.F.D. must be aboard each
vessel. Canoe and kayak boats are not required to have a TYPE IV
P.F.D. All P.F.D.s must be U.S. Coast Guard approved, in
serviceable condition, and of an appropriate size for the person
who intends to wear it. Persons under seven years of age shall
wear at least a TYPE III P.F.D. at all times when the vessel is
underway.
BOATING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT - 1
GRANT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Grant County, Washington
ORDINANCE NO. 94 -86 -CC
AMENDING CHAPTER 6.08 OF THE GRANT COUNTY CODE RELATING TO
BOATING ORDINANCE DEFINITIONS AND PROSCRIBED CONDUCT
BE IT ORDAINED:
Section 1: New sub -sections are added to Chapter 6.08, Section 3, of the
Grant County Code to read:
NEW SECTION. Section 3. Definitions:
(r) "Personal Watercraft" means a vessel of less than sixteen feet
that uses a motor powering a water jet pump, as its primary source
of motive power and that is designed to be operated by a person
sitting, standing, or kneeling on, or being towed behind a vessel,
rather than in the conventional manner of sitting or standing
inside the vessel.
(s) "Water Skiing" means the physical act of being towed behind a
vessel on, but not limited to, any skis, aquaplane, kneeboard,
tube, or any other similar device.
Section 2: Chapter 6.08, Section 9, of the Grant County Code is amended
to read:
Section 9. P.F.D Requirements for Recreational Vessels Under 16
Feet: All Boats less than sixteen (16) feet in length and all
canoes and kayaks, must have one TYPE I, I1, or III((, or IV) )
P.F.D. of a suitable size for each person on board; including water
skiers being towed by vessel. Persons under seven years of age
shall wear at least a Type III P.F.D. at all times when the vessel
is underwaV .
Section 3: Chapter 6.08, Section 10, of the Grant County Code is amended
to read:
Section 10. P.F.D. Requirements for Recreational Vessels 16 Feet
and over: All boats sixteen (16) feet or over in length must have
one TYPE 1, I1, or III (wearable) P.F.D. of a suitable size for
each person on board; including water skiers being towed by
vessel. Also one TYPE IV (Throwable) P.F.D. must be aboard each
vessel. Canoe and kayak boats are not required to have a TYPE IV
P. F. D. All P. F. D. s must be U. S. Coast Guard approved, in
serviceable condition, and of an appropriate size for the person
who intends to wear it. Persons under seven years of age shall
wear at least a TYPE III P.F.D. at all times when the vessel is
underway.
BOATING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT - 1
NEW SECTION. Section 11. P.F.D. Requirements for Commercial Vessels:
(e) Persons under seven years of age shall wear at least a TYPE III
P.F.D. at all times when the vessel is underway.
Section 5: Grant County Code Chapter 6.08, Section 30 (g), is repealed and
re-enacted to read:
NEW SECTION. No person shall operate a vessel towing a person or
persons on water skis, surfboard, or similar device unless another
competent person in the vessel is continuously observing the person
being towed and the observer shall continuously observe the persons
or persons being towed and shall display a flag immediately after the
towed person or persons fall into the water, and during the time
preparatory to skiing while the person or persons are still in the water.
Such flag shall be a bright red or brilliant orange color, measuring at
least twelve inches square, mounted on a pole not less than twenty-four
inches long and displayed as to be visible from every direction:
PROVIDED, That this paragraph shall not apply to vessels:
(1) Used by water ski schools in the giving of instructions;
and
(2) Used in duly authorized water ski tournaments,
competition expositions, or trials.
Section 6: Grant County Code Chapter 6.08, Section 32, is repealed and re-
enacted to read:
NEW SECTION. Section 32. Operation of Vessel While Under the Influence.
(1) It shall be unlawful for a person to operate a vessel on the waters
of Grant County while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any
drug. A person is considered to be under the influence of intoxicating
liquor or any drug if:
(a) The person has 0.10 grams or more of alcohol per two
hundred ten liters of breath, as shown by analysis of the
persons's breath as defined in RCW 46.61.506; or
(b) The person has 0.10 percent or more by weight of
alcohol in the person's blood, as shown by analysis of the
person's blood as defined in RCW 46.61.506; or
(c) The person is under the influence of or affected by
intoxicating liquor or any drug; or
(d) The person is under the combined influence of or
affected by intoxicating liquor and any drug.
(2) The fact that any person charged with a violation of this section is
or has been entitled to use such drug under the laws of this state shall
BOATING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT - 2
(2) The fact that any person charged with a violation of this section is
or has been entitled to use such drug under the laws of this state shall
not constitute a defense against any charge of violating this section.
A person cited under this section may upon request be given a breath
test for breath alcohol or may request to have a blood sample taken for
blood alcohol analysis. An arresting law enforcement officer shall
administer field sobriety tests when circumstances permit.
(3) It is an affirmative defense to a violation of subsection (1)(a) and
(b) of this section which the defendant must prove by a preponderance
of the evidence that the defendant consumed a sufficient quantity of
alcohol of ter the time of operating a vessel and before the administration
of an analysis of the person's breath or blood to cause the defendant's
alcohol concentration to be 0.10 or more within two hours after
operating a vessel. The court shall not admit evidence of this defense
unless the defendant notifies the prosecution prior to the omnibus or
pretrial hearing in the case of the defendant's intent to assert the
affirmative defense.
(4) Analyses of blood or breath samples obtained more than two hours
after the alleged operation of a vessel may be used as evidence that
within two hours of the alleged operation of a vessel a person had 0.10
grams or more of alcohol per two hundred ten liters of breath or 0.10
percent or more of alcohol in the person's blood, pursuant to subsection
(1) (a) and (b) of this section, and may be used as evidence that a
person was under the influence of or affected by intoxicating liquors or
any drug pursuant to subsection (1)(c) and (d) of this section.
(5) A violation of this section is a misdemeanor, punishable as provided
under Section 59 of this chapter. In addition, the court may order the
defendant to pay restitution for any damages or injuries resulting from
the offense.
Section 7: Grant County Code Chapter 6.08, Section 40, is repealed and re-
enacted to read:
NEW SECTION. Section 40. Operation of Vessel in a Negligent Manner.
(1) A person shall not operate a vessel in a negligent manner. For purposes
of this section, to "operate in a negligent manner" means operating a vessel
in disregard of careful and prudent operation, or in disregard of careful and
prudent rates of speed that are no greater than is reasonable and proper
under the conditions existing at the point of operation, taking into account
the amount and character of traffic, size of the lake or body of water,
freedom, from obstruction to view ahead, effects of vessel wake, and so as not
to unduly or unreasonably endanger life, limb, property or other rights of
any person entitled to the use of such water. Except as provided in Section
76 of this chapter, a violation of this section is an infraction under Section 59
of this chapter.
BOATING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT - 3
Section 8: Grant County Code Chapter 6.08, Section 59, is repealed and re-
enacted to read:
NEW SECTION. Section 59. Punishment: Any person who violates any of the
sections of this ordinance designated as a misdemeanor shall be deemed guilty of a
misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment in the
county jail for a maximum term fixed by the court of not more than ninety days, or
by a fine in an amount fixed by the court of not more than one thousand dollars
($1,000.00) per violation, or both such imprisonment and fine.
Failure to comply with any of the other provisions of this chapter not
designated as a misdemeanor is a civil infraction and shall subject the
violator to the following penalties per violation:
1. First offense
2. Second offense
$ 47.00
$ 95.00
3. Each subsequent offense $ 190.00
CITATION PROCEDURE - The procedures for issuance of a Notice of
Infraction, hearings, assessments and payment of monetary penalties,
shall be in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 7.80 RCW.
Hearings on Notices of Infractions issued pursuant to this ordinance
shall be held in the Grant County District Court.
Section 9: A new sub -section is added to Grant County Code Chapter 6.08,
Section 64 as follows:
NEW SECTION. (g) Deep Lake: (i) It shall be unlawful for any person
or persons to operate a vessel at a speed in excess of 5 mph minimum
wake on Deep Lake. (ii) It shall be unlawful for any person or persons
to operate a personal watercraft or to engage in water skiing, or
operate a vessel towing a person on person on, but not limited to, any
skis, surfboard, aquaplane, kneeboard, tube, or any other similar
device, on Deep Lake.
Section 10: A new section is added to Grant County Code Chapter 6.08 as
follows:
NEW SECTION. Section 70. Reckless Operation. Any person who operates a
vessel carelessly and heedlessly in a willful or wanton disregard of the rights, safety
or property of another is guilty of a misdemeanor.
Section 11: A new section is added to Grant County Code Chapter 6.08 as
follows:
NEW SECTION. Section 71. Failure to Stop for Law Enforcement. Any
person who operates a vessel and wilfully fails to stop when requested
or signaled to do so by a person reasonably identifiable as a law
enforcement officer is guilty of a misdemeanor.
BOATING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT - 4
Section 12: A new section is added to Grant County Code Chapter 6.08 as
follows:
NEW SECTION. Section 72. Refusal to Give Information to or Cooperate with
Officer. It is unlawful for any person while operating or in charge of any
vessel to refuse when requested by a law enforcement officer to give his name
and address and the name and address of the owner of such vessel or for such
person to give a false name and address, or to refuse upon demand of such law
enforcement officer to produce his certificate of license registration of such
vessel, or to refuse to permit such officer to take any such license, card, or
certificate for the purpose of examination thereof or to refuse to permit the
examination of any equipment of such vessel or to refuse or neglect to produce
the certificate of license registration of such vessel. A violation of this
section shall be a misdemeanor.
Section 13: A new section is added to Grant County Code Chapter 6.08 as
follows:
NEW SECTION. Section 73. Loading or Powering Vessel Beyond Safe
Operating Ability.
(1) A person shall not load or permit to be loaded a vessel with passengers
or cargo beyond its safe carrying ability or carry passengers or cargo in an
unsafe manner taking into consideration weather and other existing operating
conditions.
(2) A person shall not operate or permit to be operated a vessel equipped
with a motor or other propulsion machinery of a power beyond the vessel's
ability to operate safely, taking into consideration the vessel's type, use, and
construction, the weather conditions, and other existing operating conditions.
(3) A violation of subsection (1) or (2) of this section is an infraction
punishable as provided under Section 59 of this chapter, except as provided
under Section 76 of this chapter, or where the overloading or overpowering
is reasonably advisable to effect a rescue or for some similar emergency
purpose.
(4) If it appears reasonably certain to any law enforcement officer that a
person is operating a vessel clearly loaded or powered beyond its safe
operating ability and in the judgment of that officer the operation creates an
especially hazardous condition, the officer may direct the operator to take
immediate and reasonable steps necessary for the safety of the individuals on
board the vessel, including directing the operator to return to shore or a
mooring and to remain there until the situation creating the hazard is
corrected or ended. Especially hazardous conditions also includes fuel
leakage, unserviceable flame arrester, improper ventilation, and unequipped
with operational navigation lights when required. Failure to follow the
direction of a law enforcement officer under this subsection is a misdemeanor.
BOATING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT - 5
Section 14: A new sub -section is added to Grant County Code Chapter 6.08
as follows:
NEW SECTION. Section 74. Failure of Vessel to Contain Required Equipment—
Liability of Operator or Owner.
If an infraction is issued under this chapter because a vessel does not contain
the required equipment and if the operator is not the owner of the vessel, but
is operating the vessel with the express or implied permission of the owner,
then either or both operator or owner may be cited for the infraction.
Section 15: A new sub -section is added to Grant County Code Chapter 6.08
as follows:
NEW SECTION. Section 75. Notice, Failure to Sign, Nonappearance --Failure
to Satisfy.
(1) A person who fails to sign a notice of civil infraction is guilty of a
misdemeanor.
(2) Any person wilfully violating his or her written and signed promise to
appear in court or his or her written and signed promise to respond to a notice
of civil infraction is guilty of a misdemeanor regardless of the disposition of
the notice of civil infraction. A written promise to appear in court or a
written promise to respond to a notice of civil infraction may be complied with
by an appearance by counsel.
(3) A person who wilfully fails to pay a monetary penalty or to perform
community service as required by a court under this chapter may be found in
contempt of court as provided in Chapter 7.21 RCW.
Section 16: A new sub -section is added to Grant County Code Chapter 6.08
as follows:
NEW SECTION. Section 76. Violations of Chapter Punishable as Misdemeanor
Circumstances --Violations Designated as Civil Infractions.
It is a misdemeanor for any person to commit a violation designated as an
infraction under this chapter, if during a period of three hundred sixty-five
days the person has previously committed two infractions for violating the
same provision under this chapter and if the violation is also committed during
such period and is of the same provision as the previous violations.
BOATING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT - 6
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED THAT THE GRANT COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS adopt this ordinance effective immediately.
PASSED this day of July, 1994.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
GRANT COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Helen Fancher, Chair
tA
4
Tim Snea , M ber
Le oy A5,,bn, Member
7(A�T EST:
\ 0010 S�L1 �r
Clerk of` Board /Lj
APPROVED AS TO FORM ONLY:
Stephen J. Hallstrom
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney
PUBLISHED: July 7, 1994 and July 14, 1994
BOATING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT - 7