Chapter 30

30.577(1) (1) The department shall suspend or revoke a certificate of title, certificate of number, or registration for a boat if it finds any of the following:

30.577(1)(a) (a) The certificate of title, certificate of number, or registration was fraudulently procured, erroneously issued, or prohibited by law.

30.577(1)(b) (b) The boat has been scrapped, dismantled, or destroyed.

30.577(1)(c) (c) A transfer of title, certificate of number, or registration is set aside by a court by order or judgment.

30.577(2) (2) Suspension or revocation of a certificate of title does not, in itself, affect the validity of a security interest noted on it.

30.577(3) (3) When the department suspends or revokes a certificate of title, certificate of number, or registration, the owner or person in possession of the certificate or registration shall, within 5 days after receiving notice of the suspension or revocation, mail or deliver the certificate or registration to the department.

30.577(4) (4) The department may seize and impound a certificate of title, certificate of number, or registration that is suspended or revoked.

30.577 History History: 1991 a. 39; 2015 a. 89.

30.578 30.578 Grounds for refusing issuance of certificate of title. The department shall refuse issuance of a certificate of title if any required fee is not paid or if it has reasonable grounds to believe that any of the following exists:

30.578(1) (1) The person alleged to be the owner of the boat is not the owner.

30.578(2) (2) The application contains a false or fraudulent statement.

30.578(3) (3) The applicant fails to furnish information or documents required by the department.

30.578 History History: 1991 a. 269.

30.60 30.60 Classification of motorboats. For the purposes of ss. 30.61 and 30.62, motorboats are divided on the basis of their length into 4 classes as follows:

30.60(1) (1) Class A—those less than 16 feet.

30.60(2) (2) Class 1—those 16 feet or over but less than 26 feet.

30.60(3) (3) Class 2—those 26 feet or over but less than 40 feet.

30.60(4) (4) Class 3—those 40 feet or over.

30.61 30.61 Lighting equipment.

30.61(1) (1) When lights required; prohibited lights.

30.61(1)(a) (a) No person shall operate any motorboat at any time from sunset to sunrise unless such motorboat carries the lighting equipment required by this section and unless such equipment is lighted when and as required by this section.

30.61(1)(b) (b) No owner shall give permission for the operation of a motorboat at any time from sunset to sunrise unless such motorboat is equipped as required by this section.

30.61(1)(c) (c) No person shall exhibit from or on any motorboat when under way at any time from sunset to sunrise any light which may be mistaken for those required by this section.

30.61(2) (2) Lights for motorboats of classes a and 1. All motorboats of classes A and 1 when under way at any time from sunset to sunrise shall carry and have lighted the following lamps:

30.61(2)(a) (a) One lamp aft showing a bright white light all around the horizon.

30.61(2)(b) (b) One combined lamp in the fore part of the motorboat and lower than the white light aft, showing green to starboard and red to port and so fixed that each side of the combined lamp throws a light from directly ahead to 2 points abaft the beam on its respective side.

30.61(3) (3) Lights for motorboats of classes 2 and 3. All motorboats of classes 2 and 3 when under way at any time from sunset to sunrise shall carry and have lighted the following lamps:

30.61(3)(a) (a) One lamp in the fore part of the boat as near the stem as practicable, so constructed as to show an unbroken bright white light over an arc of the horizon of 20 points of the compass and so fixed as to throw the light from directly ahead to 2 points abaft the beam on either side.

30.61(3)(b) (b) One lamp aft showing a bright white light all around the horizon and higher than the white light forward.

30.61(3)(c) (c) On the starboard side, one lamp showing a green light, and on the port side, one lamp showing a red light, both fitted with inboard screens of sufficient height and so set as to prevent these lights from being seen across the bow. Each such side lamp shall be so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 10 points of the compass and shall be so fixed as to throw the light from directly ahead to 2 points abaft the beam on its respective side.

30.61(4) (4) Sailboats with motors. Sailboats equipped with motors and being propelled in whole or in part by such motor must comply with sub. (2) or (3), whichever is applicable. Whenever such a sailboat is being propelled entirely by sail at any time from sunset to sunrise, it shall have lighted the lamps showing the colored lights specified in sub. (2) or (3), but not the lamps showing the white lights, and shall carry ready at hand a lantern or flashlight showing a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to avert collision.

30.61(5) (5) Sailboats without motors and rowboats. Every boat propelled by muscular power and every sailboat not equipped with a motor, when under way at any time from sunset to sunrise, shall carry ready at hand a lantern or flashlight showing a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to avert collision.

30.61(6) (6) Certain moored, anchored or drifting boats; other structures.

30.61(6)(a) (a) Except as provided under par. (b), any moored, anchored or drifting boat or any other fixed and floating structure outside designated mooring areas or beyond 200 feet from the shoreline is required to be lighted from sunset to sunrise by a white light visible all around the horizon.

30.61(6)(b) (b) This subsection does not require any light to be shone from duck blinds constructed on emergent vegetation.

30.61(7) (7) Performance specifications for lamps. Every white light prescribed by this section shall be of such character as to be visible at a distance of at least 2 miles on a dark night with clear atmosphere. Every colored light prescribed by this section shall be of such character as to be visible at a distance of at least one mile on a dark night with clear atmosphere.

30.61(8) (8) Optional lighting requirements. Any boat may carry and exhibit the lights required by the federal regulations for preventing collisions at sea, 1948, federal act of October 11, 1951, (33 USC 143-147d) as amended, in lieu of the lights required by subs. (2) and (3).

30.61(9) (9) Department to promulgate rules. The department shall promulgate rules modifying or supplementing the lighting requirements of this section as necessary to keep the requirements in conformity with the lighting rules adopted by the U.S. coast guard.

30.61(10) (10) Operation of personal watercraft.

30.61(10)(a) (a) Notwithstanding subs. (1), (2), (8) and (9), no person may operate a personal watercraft at any time from sunset to sunrise.

30.61(10)(b) (b) If a person operates a personal watercraft in violation of par. (a), the operation shall be subject to additional penalties for any failure to comply with the applicable lighting requirements under subs. (1), (2), (8) and (9).

30.61 History History: 1973 c. 302; 1979 c. 275; 1985 a. 243; 1987 a. 399; 1989 a. 359; 1991 a. 257.

30.61 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. NR 5.17, Wis. adm. code.

30.62 30.62 Other equipment.

30.62(1) (1) When equipment required. No person shall operate any boat on the waters of this state unless such boat is equipped as required by this section and the rules of the department promulgated under this section. No owner of a boat shall rent such boat to any other person for use upon the waters of this state unless such boat is equipped at the time of rental as required by this section and the rules of the department promulgated under this section. If such boat is properly equipped at the time of rental for conditions then existing, the responsibility of the owner under this section is met, notwithstanding a subsequent change in the number of passengers or a change in time from daylight to dark.

30.62(2) (2) Muffler requirement and noise level standards.

30.62(2)(a) (a) Mufflers. The engine of every motorboat propelled by an internal combustion engine and used on the waters of this state shall be equipped and maintained with a muffler, underwater exhaust system or other noise suppression device.

30.62(2)(b) (b) Maximum noise levels for operation. No person may operate a motorboat powered by an engine on the waters of this state in such a manner as to exceed a noise level of 86 measured on an “A” weighted decibel scale.

30.62(2)(c) (c) Maximum noise levels for sale. No person may sell, resell or offer for sale any motorboat for use on the waters of the state if the motorboat has been so modified that it cannot be operated in such a manner that it will comply with the noise level requirements under par. (b).

30.62(2)(d) (d) Maximum noise level for manufacture.

30.62(2)(d)1. 1. No person may manufacture and offer for sale any motorboat for use on the waters of this state if the motorboat cannot be operated in such a manner so as to comply with the noise level requirements under par. (b).

30.62(2)(d)2. 2. The department may promulgate rules establishing testing procedures to determine noise levels for the enforcement of this section.

30.62(2)(d)3. 3. The department may revise these rules as necessary to adjust to advances in technology.

30.62(2)(e) (e) Tampering. No person may remove or alter any part of a marine engine, its propulsion unit or its enclosure or modify the mounting of a marine engine on a boat in such a manner as to exceed the noise levels prescribed under par. (b).

30.62(2)(f) (f) Local ordinances. No political subdivision of this state may establish, continue in effect or enforce any ordinance that prescribes noise levels for motorboats or which imposes any requirement for the sale or use of marine engines at prescribed noise levels unless the ordinance is identical to the provisions of this subsection or rules promulgated by the department under this subsection.

30.62(2)(g) (g) Exemption for specific uses. This subsection does not apply to any of the following:

30.62(2)(g)1. 1. A motorboat while competing in a race conducted under a permit from a town, village or city or from an authorized agency of the federal government.

30.62(2)(g)2. 2. A motorboat designed and intended solely for racing, while the boat is operated incidentally to the testing or tuning up of the motorboat and engine for the race in an area designated by and operated under a permit specified under subd. 1.

30.62(2)(g)3. 3. A motorboat on an official trial for a speed record if conducted under a permit from a town, village or city.

30.62(2)(g)4. 4. The operation of a commercial or nonrecreational fishing boat, ferry or other vessel engaged in interstate or international commerce, other than a tugboat.

30.62(2)(h) (h) Exemption by rule. The department may promulgate by rule exemptions from compliance with this subsection for certain activities for certain types of motorboats for specific uses and for specific areas of operation.

30.62(2m) (2m) Overpowering. No person may sell, equip or operate, and no owner of a boat may allow a person to operate, a boat with any motor or other propulsion machinery beyond its safe power capacity, taking into consideration the type and construction of such watercraft and other existing operating conditions.

30.62(3) (3) Personal flotation devices.

30.62(3)(a) (a) Every boat, except a sailboard and except as provided in par. (b), shall carry at least one personal flotation device prescribed by federal regulations for each person on board or being attended by the boat, so placed as to be readily accessible and available to the persons.

30.62(3)(b) (b) No person may operate a personal watercraft unless each person riding on the personal watercraft is wearing a personal flotation device that is a type I, type II, type III or type V personal flotation device as specified under 33 CFR part 175, subpart B.

30.62(3m) (3m) Safety devices for personal watercraft. No person may operate a personal watercraft that is equipped by the manufacturer with an engine cutoff switch activated by a lanyard unless the engine cutoff switch is in good working order and the lanyard is attached in the manner prescribed by the manufacturer to the operator or the operator’s clothing or personal flotation device. No person may sell a personal watercraft manufactured after January 1, 1993, unless the personal watercraft is equipped by the manufacturer with an engine cutoff switch activated by a lanyard or is equipped by the manufacturer with a self-circling safety feature.

30.62(4) (4) Fire extinguishers.

30.62(4)(a) (a) Every motorboat, except outboards of open construction, shall be provided with such number, size and type of fire extinguishers, capable of promptly and effectively extinguishing burning gasoline, as prescribed by rules of the department. Such fire extinguishers shall be at all times kept in condition for immediate and effective use and shall be so placed as to be readily accessible. “Open construction” means construction which will not permit the entrapment of explosive or flammable gases or vapors.

30.62(4)(b) (b) This subsection does not apply to a motorboat while competing in a race conducted pursuant to a permit from a town, village or city or from an authorized agency of the U.S. government, nor does it apply to a boat designed and intended solely for racing, while the boat is operated incidentally to the tuning up of the boat and engine for the race at the race location on the day of the race.

30.62(5) (5) Backfire flame arresters. Every boat equipped with an inboard motor using gasoline as a fuel shall have the carburetors of every inboard gasoline motor fitted with an efficient device for arresting backfire flames. The device shall meet the specifications prescribed by federal regulations.

30.62(6) (6) Bilge, engine and fuel compartment ventilators. Every boat, except open boats, using as fuel any liquid of a volatile nature, shall be provided with an efficient natural or mechanical ventilation system which is capable of removing resulting inflammable or explosive gases.

30.62(8) (8) Battery cover. Every motorboat equipped with storage batteries shall be provided with suitable supports and secured against shifting with the motion of the boat. Such storage batteries shall be equipped with a nonconductive shielding means to prevent accidental shorting of battery terminals.

30.62(9) (9) Department may promulgate rules. The department shall promulgate such rules modifying or supplementing the associated equipment requirements of this section as are necessary to keep those requirements in conformity with federal regulations.

30.62 History History: 1973 c. 302; 1979 c. 275; 1983 a. 316; 1985 a. 332 s. 251 (1); 1987 a. 399; 1989 a. 224, 359; 1991 a. 257; 1993 a. 167, 437; 1997 a. 198; 2005 a. 308.

30.62 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ss. NR 5.001, 5.10, 5.11, 5.125, and 5.13, Wis. adm. code.

30.625 30.625 Rental of motorboats.

30.625(1) (1) No person who is engaged in the rental or leasing of motorboats to the public may do any of the following:

30.625(1)(a) (a) Rent or lease a motorboat for operation by a person who will be operating a motorboat for the first time in each calendar year and who does not hold a valid certificate issued under s. 30.74 (1) unless the person engaged in the rental or leasing gives the person instruction on how to operate a motorboat in the manner established by the department under s. 30.74 (1) (am).

30.625(1)(b) (b) Rent or lease a personal watercraft to a person under 16 years of age.

30.625(1)(c) (c) Rent or lease a personal watercraft without providing the person who will be operating the personal watercraft with a personal flotation device that meets the requirements specified under s. 30.62 (3) (b).

30.625(1m) (1m) No person who is under 16 years of age may rent or lease a personal watercraft.

30.625 History History: 1991 a. 257; 2005 a. 356 ss. 1b to 1e, 8; 2009 a. 180; 2011 a. 260 s. 81.

30.625 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. NR 5.16, Wis. adm. code.

30.63 30.63 Sale and use of certain outboard motors restricted.

30.63(1) (1) Sale. No person may sell any new outboard motor for use in the waters of this state unless such motor is equipped with a crankcase effectively sealed to prevent the drainage of raw fuel into the waters in which the motor is operated.

30.63(2) (2) Use. Beginning January 1, 1990, no person may operate an outboard motor in the waters of this state unless such motor is equipped with a crankcase effectively sealed to prevent the drainage of raw fuel into the waters in which such motor is operated.

30.63 History History: 1973 c. 125; 1989 a. 56.

30.635 30.635 Motorboat prohibition. On lakes 50 acres or less having public access, motorboats may not be operated in excess of slow-no-wake speed, except when such lakes serve as thoroughfares between 2 or more navigable lakes. The department by rule may modify or waive the requirements of this section as to particular lakes, if it finds that public safety is not impaired by such modification or waiver.

30.635 History History: 1973 c. 302; Stats. 1973 s. 30.63; 1973 c. 336; Stats. 1973 s. 30.635.