Wyo. Code R. 040-0001-22
Effective Date: 09/08/1995 to 05/22/1997
Rule Type: Superceded Rules & Regulations
Reference Number: 040.0001.22.09081995
Section 1. Authority. These regulations are promulgated by authority of Sections 41-13-104, 41-13-105, 41-13-211, 41-13-213, 41-13-217, 41-13-218 and 41-13-219 Wyoming Statutes.
Section 2. Definitions. For the purpose of this regulation, definitions will be as set forth in Sections 41-13-101 and 41-13-102, Wyoming Statutes; and the Commission also adopts the following definitions:
(a) 'Boat Dealer' means a person who is engaged wholly or in part in selling boats, either wholesale or retail, and who received or expects to receive money, profit or any other thing of value resulting from such transactions.
(b) 'No Wake' means a speed that does not cause water action by a watercraft underway which will disturb; another watercraft at rest, a dock, or swimmers and in no case in excess of five (5) miles per hour.
(c) 'Diver's flag' means a flag rectangular in shape 12' x 16' and displayed no less than three feet from the surface of the water.
(d) 'Adult' means a person who has reached the eighteenth anniversary of his/her birth.
Section 3. Boat Numbering. The length of a motorboat shall be the horizontal distance in feet and inches, excluding sheer from the foremost part of the hull to the aftermost part of the hull, measured parallel to the centerline, but excluding any bowsprit, bumpkin, external motor bracket, outboard rudder or similar appurtenance which is not part of the hull structure.
(a) All numbers assigned under the Wyoming system shall consist of three (3) parts. The first part (the prefix) shall consist of the letters 'WY' signifying this State; the second part shall consist of not more than four (4) Arabic numerals; the third part (the suffix) shall consist of not more than two (2) capital letters, but 'I', 'O' and 'Q' shall not be used because of their similarity to Arabic numerals. Numbers assigned to boat dealers shall have the letter 'DL' as their suffix.
(b) All numbers shall be displayed on each side of the bow of the boat to which assigned in such a manner that they shall be clearly readable when the boat is being operated.
(i) Numbers shall read from left to right, shall be in plain, block vertical (not slanted) letters and numerals of good proportions at least three (3) inches high (shading and bordering, if any, not included) of a color which will contrast with the color of the background, i.e., dark numbers on a light background; light numbers on a dark background.
(ii) A hyphen or a space equal in width to the width of the letter 'W' in the prefix, shall separate the three parts of the numbers. (For example: 'WY-1234-A' or 'WY 1234 A').
(iii) All assigned numbers shall be painted on or be securely attached to the bow except those assigned to boat dealers; who may affix the number to a removable board or boards to permit transfers from boat to boat; but such display must be in accordance with these regulations affecting size, contrast, visibility and legibility.
(iv) A boat dealer is eligible to receive more than one registration number and it is not specifically assigned to a particular boat. Dealer registration numbers cannot be transferred to another dealer or boat owner.
(c) Upon payment of the annual registration fee as provided by law, each registrant will be issued two (2) decals upon which shall appear a designation of the year for which said registration fees were paid and the abbreviation 'Wyo'. Said decals will be displayed one on each side of the registrant's boat aft and directly in line with the number of said boat. No other type decal, excluding numbers shall be displayed on the front half of the hull and only the current year's validation sticker shall be displayed.
(d) Proof of ownership for first time registration shall consist of a copy of a notarized bill of sale or a bill of sale from a boat dealer and county treasurer sales tax receipt.
(i) Proof of transfer shall consist of a copy of a notarized bill of sale from the previous owner or a copy of a bill of sale from a boat dealer if the previous owner sold or traded the boat to a boat dealer.
(ii) Proof of ownership for homemade boats shall consist of a copy of a notarized affidavit by the builder and the date construction is completed.
(a) Every motorboat when underway from sunset to sunrise shall carry and use the following lights, and during such time no other light which may be mistaken for those prescribed shall be used.
(i) Every motorboat of classes A and B shall carry the following lights:
(A) A bright white light aft (rear) to show all around the horizon.
(B) A combined lantern in the forepart of the vessel and lower than the white light aft, showing green to starboard (right) and red to port (left), so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to two (2) points (compass) aft the beam on their respective sides.
(ii) Every motorboat of classes C and D shall carry the following lights:
(A) A bright white light in the forepart of the vessel as near the stem as practicable, so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 20 points of the compass, so fixed as to throw the light 10 points on each side of the vessel; namely, from right ahead to 2 point aft the beam on either side.
(B) A bright white light aft to show all around the horizon and higher than the white light forward.
(C) On the starboard side a green light so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 10 points of the compass, so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to 2 points aft the beam on the starboard side. On the port side a red light so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 10 points of the compass, so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to 2 points aft the beam on the port side. The said lights shall be fitted with inboard screens of sufficient height so set as to prevent these lights from being seen across the bow.
(iii) Every white light heretofore prescribed in Section 4a shall be of such character as to be visible at a distance of at least two miles, and every colored light shall be of such character as to be visible at a distance of one mile. Any motorboat may carry and exhibit the lights required by the international rules of the road (33 USC 1051-1053 and 1061-1064), in lieu of the lights prescribed above.
(iv) Sailboats when propelled by sail alone shall exhibit the following lights: on the starboard side a green light, and on the port side a red light, so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon from dead ahead to two points aft the beam. Such vessels shall also carry at the stern a 12 point white light so fixed as to throw the light six points from aft on each side of the vessel; or in a small vessel if it is not possible on account of bad weather or other sufficient causes for the light to be fixed, such vessel shall carry ready at hand a lantern or flashlight to show a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to avert collision. Sailboats less than 40 feet in length may carry a combined light in lieu of separate side lights.
(v) All hand propelled vessels operated between sunset and sunrise shall have ready at hand a lantern or flashlight to show a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to avoid collision.
(vi) All vessels at anchor between sunset and sunrise, unless anchored at a designated site, (marina, shoreline, etc.) shall carry forward or where it can best be seen a white light to show all around the horizon and visible for one mile.
(b) Every gasoline engine installed in a motorboat or motor vessel after April 25, 1940, except outboard motors, shall be equipped with an efficient means of backfire flame control. Installations made before November 19, 1952, need not meet the detailed requirements of this subpart and may be continued in use as long as they are in good and serviceable condition. The following are acceptable means of backfire flame control for gasoline engines:
(i) A backfire flame arrester specifically approved by the United States Coast Guard. The flame arrester shall be suitably secured to the air intake with flame tight connections.
(ii) An engine air and fuel intake system which provides adequate protection from propagation of backfire flame to the atmosphere equivalent to that provided by an approved flame arrester. A gasoline engine which has such an air and fuel intake system and which is to be operated without an approved flame arrester shall be labeled to meet requirements of the United States Coast Guard.
(iii) Any attachment to the carburetor or location of the engine air intake by means of which flames caused by engine backfire will be dispersed to the atmosphere outside the vessel in such a way that the flames will not endanger the vessel or persons on board or nearby vessels or structures. All attachments shall be of metallic construction with flame-tight connections and firmly secured to withstand vibration, shock and engine backfire. Such installations do not require formal approval but will be accepted by the law enforcement officers on the basis of this subpart.
(c) Motorboats shall be provided with an efficient sound producing device as set forth below:
| Class of Motorboats | Type of Device |
|---|---|
| A & B | Mouth, hand or power operated capable of producing a blast of two seconds or more duration and audible for at least one-half mile. |
| C | Hand or power operated capable of producing a blast of two seconds or more duration, and audible for at least one mile; |
| D | Power operated capable of producing a blast of two seconds or more duration and audible for a distance of at least one mile; |
(d) All motorboats or motor vessels, except open boats, shall have at least two ventilator ducts, fitted, with cowls or their equivalent, for the efficient removal of explosive or flammable gases from the bilges of every engine and fuel tank compartment. There shall be at least one exhaust duct installed so as to extend from the open atmosphere to the lower portion of the bilges and at least one intake duct installed so as to extend to a point at least midway to the bilge or at least below the level of the carburetor air intake. The cowls shall be located and trimmed for minimum effectiveness so as to prevent displaced fumes from being recirculated. As used in this section, the term 'open boat' means those motorboats or motor vessels with all engine and fuel tank compartments and other spaces to which explosive or flammable gases and vapors form are open to the atmosphere so as to prevent the entrapment of such gases and vapors within the vessel.
(e) All watercraft less than sixteen (16) feet in length shall carry a U.S. Coast Guard approved wearable personal flotation device, of a suitable size for each person on board. Watercraft sixteen (16) feet and over in length shall have a single approved throwable device for the watercraft, (ring buoy or buoyant cushion), in addition to an approved wearable personal flotation device of a suitable size for each person. Watercraft forty (40) feet and over in length shall carry only approved life preservers or ring buoys. All flotation devices must be readily accessible, in good serviceable condition and cannot be waterlogged, torn, or have straps broken or missing.
(f) All persons being towed on water-skis, barefoot, or other devices by a watercraft shall wear a Coast Guard approved personal flotation device while engaged in such activity.
(g) Operators of motorboats shall ensure that a fluorescent orange flag shall be displayed above the vessel anytime towed persons are down in the water, so as to warn other boaters of the situation.
(h) Fire extinguishers must be U.S. Coast Guard or U.L. approved. Fire extinguishers are classified, by letter and Roman numeral according to the type of fire they may be expected to extinguish, and the size of the extinguisher. The "letter" indicates the type of fire:
A --Fires of ordinary combustible materials. B --Gasoline, oil and grease fires. C --Electrical Fires.
Extinguishers approved for watercraft are hand-portable, of either B-I or B-II classification.
| CLASSIFICATION (type-size) | FOAM (gallons) | CARBON DIOXIDE (pounds) | DRY CHEMICAL (pounds) | HALON (pounds) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B-I | 1 1/4 | 4 | 2 | 2 1/2 |
| B-II | 2 1/2 | 15 | 10 | -- |
Fire extinguishers must be carried in all watercraft that have one or more of the following conditions that make the watercraft of closed construction:
(1) Inboard engines, or (2) Closed compartments under seats wherein portable fuel tanks may be stored, or (3) Double bottoms not sealed to the hull or which are not completely filled with flotation materials, or (4) Closed living spaces, or (5) Closed stowage compartments in which combustible or flammable material are stored, or (6) Permanently installed fuel tanks.
Dry chemical fire extinguishers without gauges or indicating devices must be weighed and tagged every 6 months. If the gross weight of a carbon dioxide (CO2) fire extinguisher is reduced by more than 10weight, the extinguisher is not acceptable and must be recharged.
Fire extinguishers must be readily accessible and in such condition as to be ready for immediate and effective use.
Requirements for fire extinguishers by length of watercraft are as follows:
(1) Less than 26 feet in length: When no fixed fire extinguishing system is installed in machinery space(s), at least one B-I type approved hand portable fire extinguisher is required. (not required on outboard watercrafts less than 26 feet in length if the construction of such watercraft will not permit the entrapment of explosives or flammable gases or vapors.) When an approved fixed fire extinguisher system is installed in machinery space(s), one less B-I type extinguisher is required.
(2) 26 feet to less than 40 feet in length: At least two B-I type approved portable fire extinguishers are required; or at least one B-II type approved portable fire extinguisher is required. When an approved fixed system is installed, one B-I type is required.
(3) 40 feet to not more than 65 feet in length: At least three B-I type approved portable fire extinguishers are required; or at least one B-I type plus one B-II type approved portable fire extinguisher is required. When an approved fixed system is installed, one less B-I type is required.
(4) 65 feet in length and over: Federal requirements will apply to watercraft over 65 feet in length and can be found in Title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 25, and in the U.S. Coast Guard publication, "Rules and Regulations for Uninspected Vessels, Subchapter C." (CG-258)
(i) It shall be the responsibility of the operator of the watercraft to insure that all required safety equipment is aboard the watercraft during operation.
Section 5. Boat Races, Regattas and Water Ski Tournaments. No regattas, motorboat or other boat races, marine parades, tournaments or exhibitions thereof, may be held without permission from the Department.
(a) Department permission will not be granted for any regattas, motorboat or other boat races, marine parades, tournaments or exhibitions or trials thereof, without first assuring that:
(i) Water markers and buoys will be placed to warn other boaters of a controlled area, prohibited to anyone other than contestants during the hours of the tournament or race. These markers or buoys will conform with those adopted for use in this State.
(ii) The organization entertaining the request shall satisfy the Department of adequate safeguards and controls to protect life, limb and property.
(a) The Wyoming Game and Fish Department may restrict and guide watercraft use on water by use of buoys, markers and signs. All users of watercraft are required to obey the regulatory markers. These markers signify restricted areas, danger areas, and information pertaining to watercraft operation in a specific area. Standard markers used are as follows:
(i) A diamond shape of international orange with white center shall indicate danger. The nature of the danger may be indicated by words or well known abbreviations in black letters inside the diamond shape, or above and/or below it on white background.
(ii) A diamond shape of international orange with a cross of the same color with it against a white center without qualifying explanation shall indicate a zone from which all vessels are excluded.
(iii) A circle of the international orange with white center will indicate a control or restriction. The nature of the control or restriction shall be indicated by words, numerals and/or well known abbreviations in black letters inside the circle. Additional explanations may be given above and/or below it in black letters.
(iv) A rectangular shape of international orange with white center will indicate information, other than a danger, control or restriction, which may contribute to health, safety or well being. The message will be presented within the rectangle in black letters.
(v) Letters or numerals used with regulatory markers shall be black in black characters of good proportion, spaced in a manner which will provide maximum legibility, and visibility.
(b) No waterway marker shall be placed upon the waters of the state without approval of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, except that divers may place a diver's flag upon the water in the immediate area of their activity. Explanation of the diver's flag is as follows:
(i) All watercraft operators should be aware that there are two flags used to indicate the presence of a person engaged in diving in the immediate area. The official flag, Alpha, which is blue and white, is internationally recognized for all diving operations. The second flag, is the red flag with a white diagonal stripe. No person shall operate or permit the operation of any motor powered watercraft on the waters of the state of Wyoming within fifty (50) feet of the display of the above described 'diver down' flag. All motor powered watercraft approaching such flags shall do so at a no wake speed. The diver's flags shall be displayed only when diving is in progress and shall be displayed so as not to impede normal boating traffic.
(a) The use of motor-powered watercraft is hereby prohibited on the following waters:
Beck Lake Recreation Area (includes Beck Lake, New Cody Reservoir and Markham Reservoir) in Park County Emma Matilda Lake in Teton County Gillette Fishing Lake in Campbell County Kemmerer City Reservoir in Lincoln County Sibley Lake in Sheridan County Two Ocean Lake in Teton County West Ten Sleep Lake in Big Horn County
(b) The use of internal combustion motor-powered watercraft is hereby prohibited on the following waters (emergency, search and rescue, enforcement and Game and Fish Department administrative watercraft exempted):
A&M Reservoir Absaraka Lake in Laramie County All lakes within the boundaries of Medicine Bow National Forest, except Sand Lake, Lake Owen, Rob Roy Reservoir and Hog Park Reservoir All ponds within the Edness Kimball Wilkins State Park Bryan Stock Trail Pond in Natrona County Cook Lake in Crook County Deaver Reservoir in Park County Dollar Lake in Sublette County Festo Lake in Platte County Fiddlers Lake in Fremont County Fish Lake in Fremont County Johnson Creek Reservoir in Albany County Lake Alice in Lincoln County Leazenby Lake in Albany County Lake of the Woods in Fremont County Middle Piney Lake in Sublette County Murphy Lake in Lincoln County North Piney Lake in Sublette County Pelham Lake in Fremont County Rawlins City Reservoir in Carbon County Rock Creek Reservoir in Fremont County Sand Mesa Reservoirs No. 1 and 2 in Fremont County Soda Lake in Sublette County - May 10-31
South Springer Reservoir in Goshen County
String Lake in Teton County Upper and Lower Jade Lakes in Fremont County Western Nuclear Pond Wind River Lake in Fremont County
(c) The use of any type watercraft is hereby prohibited on the following waters:
Grayrocks Reservoir in Platte County, that area between the regulatory buoys and the spillway Healy Reservoir in Johnson County Jim Bridger Pond in Sweetwater County, inside the pumphouse booms North Platte River in Platte County, that area between Glendo Dam and Glendo Powerplant Ranchester City Reservoir in Sheridan County Wheatland Reservoir No. 3 Canal from the Headgate in Reservoir No. 2 to the Mouth in Reservoir No. 3
(d) Motor-powered watercraft in excess of 15 horsepower are hereby prohibited on the following waters (emergency, search and rescue, enforcement and Game and Fish Department administrative watercraft exempted):
Deaver Reservoir in Big Horn County Jim Bridger Pond in Sweetwater County Muddy Guard Reservoirs in Johnson County Newton Lakes Recreational Area-Park County (includes East and West Newton Lakes) Renner Reservoir in Washakie County Sloans Lake in Laramie County Turpin Reservoir in Carbon County Harrington Reservoir in Big Horn County (closed to motor powered watercraft from April 1 to June 15) Jenny Lake in Teton County (except that the commercial tour boat approved by the National Park Service and registered by the Department is exempt from this restriction).
(a) The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission hereby authorizes any peace officer of the State, or any of its political subdivisions, to enforce the provisions of this Act, and authorized rules and regulations of the Commission.
By: MARY FLITNER PRESIDENT
Dated: July 11, 1995