Local Laws and Ordinances

Incorporated Village of Shoreham

Waterways Ordinances

Short Title

Sec. 60.

This ordinance shall be known as the "Waterways Ordinance of the Village of Shoreham.''

Legislative Findings

Sec. 61.

It is hereby declared and found that water sports and the operation of boats in the waters or waterways of the Village of Shoreham are matters affecting the public interest and consequently should be subject to the supervision and administrative control of municipal authority for the purpose of safeguarding the public.

Areas Covered

Sec. 62.

The following rules and regulations shall, except when prohibited by the laws of the United States, apply to all waters or waterways in the Village and to all waters or waterways adjacent to a distance of 1,500 feet from the shore.

Definitions

Sec. 63.

  1. The term "boat" or "vessel" includes every description of watercraft or other contrivance used on or capable of being used as a means of transportation on the water and in air.

  2. The term "owner" shall include the person under whose name the vessel was last registered with the United States Coast Guard or with the Commissioner of Public Works of the State of New York, and in any other case the last known owner, or the person who claims legal possession of such vessel by virtue of legal title or equitable interest therein which entitles him to such possession.

  3. The term "bathing area" shall be defined as the waters or waterways of the Village of Shoreham contained within the area beginning at a point at the mean high tide mark of the shoreline fifty (50) feet east of the bulkhead on the easterly side of the Village Building, running westerly along the shoreline three hundred and twenty-five (325) feet; thence running at right angles to the shoreline and northerly three hundred and twenty-five (325) feet; thence running easterly and parallel with the shoreline three hundred and twenty-five (325) feet; and thence running again at right angles to the shoreline southerly three hundred and twenty-five (325) feet to the point of beginning.

Sanitation

Sec. 64.

  1. Discharging of toilets is prohibited within 100 feet of the bathing area as defined herein.

  2. Dumping of oil, gasoline, refuse, garbage or waste in any water or waterways covered by this ordinance is prohibited.

Hazards to Navigation

Sec. 65.

Any vessel which becomes a menace to navigation, or sinks, grounds or becomes otherwise disabled, shall be removed by the owner or person in charge thereof on order of the Village Board or any duly authorized officer or agent thereof or member of the Village Police Force. If said vessel is not removed after order, it may be removed by or at the direction of the Village Board of Trustees or any duly authorized agent or officer thereof at the expense of the owner or person in charge of said vessel.

Water Skiing

Sec. 66.

  1. No person shall operate a boat for towing a person on water skis, surf-board or other similar device unless there is in such boat a person in addition to the operator in a position to observe the person being towed.

  2. No person shall ride on water skis, surf-board or other similar device, or use or operate a boat or vessel to tow a person thereon during the period between an hour after sunset and sunrise.

  3. No person shall ride on water skis, surf-board or other similar device, or use or operate a boat or vessel to tow a person thereon within 150 feet of the bathing area or within 100 feet of any swimmer or bather. In addition, no person engaged in such activities shall come within 300 feet of the shoreline unless they approach or depart perpendicular to the shoreline and solely for the purpose of commencing or ending the ride.

Speed and Operation of Boats

Sec. 67.

  1. No boat shall be operated at a greater speed than four (4) knots within 50 feet of any raft, lifeline, float, anchored or moored vessel or the shoreline or within 100 feet of the bathing area.

  2. Every person operating a boat shall at all times operate the same in a careful and prudent manner and at such a rate of speed as not to disturb the reasonable comfort of occupants of other boats, or endanger the property of another or the life or limb of any person, or so as to interfere with the free and proper use of the waters.

  3. No boat shall be operated in such a manner as to cause a wake which is dangerous to life or limb or to other boats or other property.

  4. No boat shall be operated or permitted within the bathing area as defined herein and no boat shall be moored within 100 feet of said bathing area.

Mufflers

Sec. 68.

No person shall operate a boat propelled wholly or partly by an engine operated by gas, naptha, diesel oil or other substance without having the exhaust from the engine run through a muffler or controlled by the introduction of water into the exhaust pipe or line.

Scuba Diving

Sec. 69.

  1. No scuba diving shall be undertaken within the bathing area.

  2. No person shall use, operate or discharge under water any spear gun or similar device within 500 feet of the bathing area or within 100 feet of the shoreline.

Aquatic Events

Sec. 70.

Nothing herein contained shall prohibit the Village Board from issuing special permits for aquatic events or boat races under proper supervision in limited areas for limited periods.

Penalties

Sec. 71.

Any person who violates any provision of this ordinance shall be deemed a disorderly person and shall be guilty of disorderly conduct and upon conviction shall be subject to punishment by a fine for each separate offense of not more than two hundred and fifty ($250.00) dollars.

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