Section 53.8. Boats

(a) An internal combustion engine may not be used to propel a boat or to provide energy to the motor on Commission lakes. Boats propelled by battery-powered electric motors and nonmechanically propelled boats, subject to restrictions on sailboats and inflatables, may be used either with or without internal combustion engines attached. Notwithstanding this subsection, internal combustion engines may be used in the performance of official duties by persons authorized by the Commission.

(b) Overnight mooring of boats is permitted at designated mooring areas from March 1 to November 30. A boat utilizing mooring areas shall be registered and display the official registration number and current validation stickers described under Subpart C (relating to boating) and Part III of the code (relating to boats and boating). The mooring is at the sole risk of the owner.

(c) The Commission may refuse to permit the mooring of a boat considered unseaworthy. Boats may not be rented or offered for hire at Commission lakes except for boats owned and moored by authorized concessionaires.

(d) Boats abandoned, sunken, obviously unseaworthy or unidentifiable will be impounded. The district waterways conservation officer will notify the owner, if known, of the impoundment and require the removal of the vessel within 10 days. Impounded vessels will be sold or destroyed if not claimed by the owner within 3 months.

(e) Boats may not remain at boarding piers on Commission lakes or controlled property longer than the time necessary for loading and unloading.

(f) Inflatable boats used on Commission lakes shall be at least 7 feet in length, made of durable reinforced fabric and have at least two separate buoyancy chambers exclusive of any inflatable floor or bottom.

(g) A boat using a Commission lake or access area must be registered and display the official registration number and current validation stickers described under Subpart C and Part III of the code.

(1) This subsection does not apply to:

(i) Unpowered boats that display an official and valid use permit issued by the Commission under § 53.27 (relating to use permits for unpowered boats) or that display an official and valid watercraft launch or mooring permit issued by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for use of launch or mooring facilities at this Commonwealth’s State parks and forests.

(ii) Noncommercial users of access areas on the West Branch of the Delaware River and the portion of the Delaware River upstream of the Interstate 84 Bridge.

(iii) Unpowered public service boats as defined under section 5302(c)(2) of the code (relating to exemptions from registration).

(iv) Unpowered boats participating in events authorized under § 109.6 (relating to special marine events).

(2) Registered unpowered kayaks, sculls, sailboards and other low volume boats of similar design are exempt from displaying registration numbers but shall display a current validation sticker.

The provisions of this § 53.8 amended December 28, 1984, effective December 29, 1984, 14 Pa.B. 4691; amended February 1, 1991, effective February 2, 1991, 21 Pa.B. 422; amended June 3, 1994, effective June 4, 1994, 24 Pa.B. 2795; amended October 14, 1994, effective October 15, 1994, 24 Pa.B. 5231; amended April 12, 1996, effective April 13, 1996, 26 Pa.B. 1706; amended April 19, 1996, effective April 20, 1996, 26 Pa.B. 1822; amended August 8, 1997, effective August 9, 1997, 27 Pa.B. 3999; amended January 2, 1998, effective January 1, 1998, 28 Pa.B. 30; amended February 26, 1999, effective February 27, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 1068; amended February 18, 2000, effective February 19, 2000, 30 Pa.B. 870; amended June 15, 2001, effective June 16, 2001, 31 Pa.B. 3205; amended March 7, 2003, effective March 8, 2003, 33 Pa.B. 1228; amended October 2, 2009, effective October 3, 2009, 39 Pa.B. 5730; amended December 6, 2013, effective January 1, 2014, 43 Pa.B. 7083. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (345558) to (345560).

Notation

Authority

The provisions of this § 53.8 issued under the Fish and Boat Code, 30 Pa.C.S. § § 305, 322, 741, 742(e), 928, 2102, 2307, 2711 and 5122—5124; amended under the Fish and Boat Code, 30 Pa.C.S. § § 741, 2502, 5122 and 5123; and section 506 of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P. S. § 186).