Boat Safety and Regulations on Lake Havasu

Lake Havasu City is a great place to live, work, shop, and come for vacation. But when you're out on the lake, failing to know or follow boating laws carries consequences.

Thanks to expert stewardship and ongoing safety initiatives from the Lake Havasu Marine Association, boaters of all kinds — from high-performance speedboats to laid-back pontoons — can enjoy the lake with confidence. Whether you're here for a scenic cruise, a fishing excursion, or an adrenaline-fueled ride, there’s plenty of open water and perfect weather to go around.

This section of our website is comprehensive, and for good reason. Three sources of law regulate boating in Arizona:

Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 5 ("A.R.S." and is state law),
Arizona Game & Fish Commission Regulations ("AZGFD"), and
U.S. Coast Guard Federal Regulations ("CFR")

Also, see the Boater's Guide to Federal Requirements for Recreational Boats published by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG).

This section of our website is dedicated to breaking down the very comprehensive law into layman's terms. However, it is advised that if you don't understand any law or statute that applies to you, to contact the appropriate agency for clarification.

Boat Rental with Captain

The Lake Havasu Marine Association offers a program that allows boaters to hire a Designated Operator to safely operate their privately-owned or rented boat for the day. Designated Operators help increase safety on the water, especially on busy holiday weekends. Hiring a Designated Operator is far cheaper than an "OUI" (operating under the influence) citation. For more information, click here.

Federally Controlled Waterways include coastal waters, The Great Lakes, territorial seas, and waters that are two miles wide or wider and are connected directly to one of the waters listed.

Boat safety classes

If you're a new or novice boater, it's recommended that you take a boating safety class to get you oriented with the basics of boating. The AZGFD's Boating Safety Education courses can be done either online or in a classroom setting and include instruction on the basic skills required to safely operate a boat or PWC, trailering your vessel, navigational rules, buoys, anchoring, legal requirements, boating emergencies, watersports, and paddling (click here for more information). Most insurance companies offer a discount on your boat or PWC insurance rate for completing a boating safety course. Boating safety education classes are available year-round and statewide. Call 623-236-7235 or toll-free 800-824-2456 for more information.

Legally required equipment (Federal, state, and local laws)

All watercraft vessels are legally required to carry or have installed on their vessel certain equipment. Details after each item link to the corresponding state law. The Arizona Revised Statutes are also supplemented by the AZGFD's Commission Rules and the U.S. Coast Guard Federal Regulations, so all resources should be utilized when reviewing the law. The list below pertains to most watercraft on Lake Havasu.

Wearable Personal Flotation Devices (Life Vests): Coast Guard-approved, Type I, II, III or V, and one for each occupant on board. The life vests must be easily accessible and in good working order (A.R.S. §5-331).
Throwable Personal Flotation Device: At least one Coast Guard-approved, Type IV (this would include a cushion or ring buoy), easily accessible and in good working order (AZGFD's Commission Rules, Section R12-4-511).
Fire Extinguisher: All watercraft under 26' and using any volatile liquid (gas, diesel, etc.) shall have on board a Coast Guard-approved Type B-1 fire extinguisher in a condition available for immediate and effective use. Vessels 26' to less than 40' in length must have two Coast Guard-approved Type B-1 fire extinguishers (A.R.S. §5-332). Do not place fire extinguisher(s) near the engine compartment. For vessels 40' and larger, please refer to the Arizona Boating Laws & Regulations Publication.
Navigation Lights: From sunset to sunrise, all watercraft shall display navigation lights - bright white on the aft (top) and a combination light at the bow (front) of the boat, green to starboard (right) and red to port (left) (A.R.S. §5-333).
Flame Arrestor: All watercraft using gasoline as fuel, except outboard motors, shall attach to the carburetor(s) a backfire flame arrestor approved for marine use and suitably secured to the air intake (A.R.S. §5-334).
Blower: All watercraft, except open boats, using gasoline or other flammable fuel, shall have a blower (fan) to evacuate any explosive or flammable gases from the engine compartment (A.R.S. §5-335).
Muffler: Watercraft must have mufflers to prevent excessive or unusual noise (A.R.S. §5-336).
Sound-Producing Device (horn): Arizona law does not require vessels to carry a sound-producing device, however, federal law does require vessels operating on federally-controlled waters (such as the Colorado River and lake system) be equipped with sound-producing devices. Every vessel less than 65.6' (including PWCs) must carry on board a whistle, horn, bell, or other device effective to create a sound signal audible for at least one-half mile (CFR Title 33 §83.33).
Visual Distress Signals (VDS): Vessels on federally-controlled waters (such as the Colorado River and lake system) must be equipped with Coast Guard-approved VDS equipment, readily accessible and in good working order. Exceptions to the signal requirements include: Vessels less than 16' in length, non-motorized open sailboats less than 26' in length, and manually-propelled vessels. All vessels, regardless of length or type, are required to carry night signals when operating between sunset to sunrise (this would include flares or smoke signal devices) (CFR Title 33 §175.101).

Arizona Required Equipment Checklist

Equipment	Paddlecraft	PWX	Boats <16'	Boats 16'+
Max. Capacity Plate		X	X	X
Registration Decals		X	X	X
Life Jackets (PFDs) (Type I, II, III, V)	X2	X1	X2	X2
Throwable PFD: Type IV				X
Type B1 Fire Extinguisher		X	X	X
Backfire Flame Arrestor		X	X3	X3
Ventilation System		X	X	X
Muffler		X	X	X
Horn, Whistle, or Bell	X4	X4	X4	X4
Daytime Visual Distress Signals				X4
Nighttime Visual Distress Signals		X4	X4	X4
Navigation Lights	X		X	X

Rev. 03/17

Emergency watercraft towing

Both Sea Tow and Vessel Assist offer annual memberships that provide boaters with coverage for emergency situations. Coverages may include watercraft towing, fuel delivery (if you run out of gas), ungroundings, jump starts for dead batteries, and detanglements (if a rope gets tangled around your prop). For a nominal yearly fee, your vessel is covered and you have the security of knowing you're just a phone call away from help if disaster strikes.

TowBoatUS
928-727-3215

Sea Tow
800-4-SEATOW (473-2869)

Warning: While the boating community looks out for each other, many boat insurance policies will be nullified if a boater tows another vessel in distress if the disabled vessel is larger than the tow vessel. Boaters are urged to carefully check their boat insurance policies before considering towing a vessel in distress, as proper insurance coverage can mean the difference between peace of mind and thousands of dollars in costly charges for a sunken vessel. Vessel salvage/recovery without insurance can run upwards of $10,000 or more.

Boating safety tips

Pay attention to other watercraft on the waterways. Always check around you frequently, look behind you, and know where and when other boaters are approaching you. LOOK TO ENSURE YOU CAN MAKE AN ABRUPT TURN WITHOUT PUTTING ANOTHER BOATER AT RISK OF COLLISION!
Watercraft and PWCs don't have brakes! When facing a potential collision, a watercraft operator can only rely on throttle and steering to avoid a collision.
Children under 12 must wear a life vest at all times while underway on any vessel. The life vest must be fully and properly fastened.
Every person being towed behind a vessel (either on water skis, wakeboard, tube, or other similar devices) must wear a life vest at all times while being towed.
Lake Havasu has a counter-clockwise rotation; this means you should always stay to the right of the lake. When crossing over to the other side of the lake, always check behind you to make sure you will not be crossing another vessel's path.
Sailboats and non-motorized vessels always have the right of way.
Larger vessels (big boats) always have the right-of-way over smaller vessels (PWCs).
Vessels towing another vessel have the right-of-way over all motorized vessels.
When approaching another motorized vessel head-on, always keep to the right and "show your side." This means make a significant turn so the other vessel can clearly see that you are keeping to the right of them.
All motorized vessels give off carbon monoxide: a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that is very toxic. Do not swim near the back of the boat when the motor is running. Know the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning!
Don't sit on the gunwale, bow, seat backs, motor cover, or any other area not designated for seating.
If a swimmer is in distress in the water, be cognizant of their size and your ability to help them. Many people panicking in the water will try to "climb up" someone who is coming to their aid. For your safety as well as the person in the water, it's best to use your throwable personal flotation device to the distressed swimmer vs trying to bring them in yourself.
It is a federal, state, and local offense to throw garbage, plastic, debris, cigarette butts, or other trash into any Arizona waters or on shorelines. Please don't be a litterbug! The Lake Havasu Marine Association has placed free trash bags around the lake and along the shorelines. Please, "pack it in, pack it out."