Shasta-Trinity National Forest

Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area

Shasta Unit

Boating Regulations

Registration and Permits... All vessels must be registered and numbered except boats propelled manually, sail boats eight feet or less in length without other means of propulsion, and certain public vessels. Out of state registration is valid for 90 days. In addition, some boats, such as houseboats, require a Forest Service permit to be on the lake in excess of 30 days per calendar year. This restriction applies primarily to boats equipped for overnight use. Contact the Shasta Lake District Office or the Shasta-Trinity National Forest Headquarters Office during business hours for more information on this subject.

General Rules... The boat operator is responsible for knowing the laws and regulations governing Shasta Lake, boat operations, and the conduct of passengers in the boat. The law shall not prevent common sense precautions which may be required by the ordinary practice of seamen or by special circumstances. The operator must know the proper procedures in the event of a boating accident. Reckless or Negligent Operation... includes riding on the bow, gunwale or transom of a boat when underway if there is no protective railing; maneuvering towed skiers or other devices, so as to pass the towline over another vessel; navigating a towing vessel and it's tow; and operating under the influence of intoxicants or drugs. Other actions such as speeding or skiing in confined or restricted areas or "buzzing" or "wetting down" others can also be construed to be reckless or negligent operation.

Speed... is limited to five (5) miles per hour within 100 feet of swimmers (not skiers), and 200 feet of swimming beaches, landings, boat ramps, and docks. Many coves are restricted to five miles per hour by buoy. The night time speed limit of fifteen (15) miles per hour is in effect from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise.

Water-skiing... is prohibited from sunset to sunrise. Water-skiing is prohibited in the Pit Arm above Brown's Canyon and on the Sacramento Arm upstream from Middle Salt Creek Inlet near Lakehead and in Salt Creek Inlet. Additional areas of the lake are closed to water-skiing when substantial draw downs occur. These vary with the extent of the draw down and are marked by buoys. In addition to the operator, there must be another person at least 12 years old in a position to watch the person being towed. Watercraft operators must be 16 years of age. If there is a 3rd person in the boat, a person between the ages of 12 - 15 can operate a boat or personal watercraft only under the direct supervision of someone 18 years of age or older. The 18 year old must be attentive and supervising and not be an observer.

Personal Water Craft..."Personal Water Craft" (PWC) refers to a vessel less than 12 feet in length, propelled by machinery and operated by a person sitting, standing or kneeling on the vessel rather than sitting or standing inside the vessel. PWCs are subject to the same regulations that apply to boats. The following PWC activities are prohibited:

• No person shall operate a PWC at a speed in excess of 5 mph within 100 feet of any swimmers, shoreline or anchored vessel.
  
• PWCs cannot be operated between the hours of 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise, even if equipped with the proper navigational lights.
  
• Operating a PWC without a lanyard-operated "kill switch"

Sanitation... on the lake prohibits discharges from holding tanks. Shasta lake is a "no discharge" lake. Tanks must be sealed. Emptying holding tanks anywhere (including at Floating Toilets) other than at approved marina pumping stations is prohibited.

Moorage... is not permitted at Forest Service courtesy docks in excess of fifteen minutes. Vessels 26' or longer are not allowed to dock at Forest Service courtesy docks. Residential occupancy is not permitted at marinas. Some shoreline areas are closed to public use; moorage is prohibited in these areas. Boats may not be left unattended for more than 24 hours except at approved marinas and docks. Boats may not camp within 200 feet of a developed recreation site.

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT:

Flotation Devices... All boats must have wearable flotation devices for everyone on board. In addition, ALL boats over 16' must have one throw able flotation device for the boat. The flotation devices must be in serviceable condition: i.e. no broken straps, missing hardware, or missing or faded approval numbers. Wearable devices must be in the proper sizes for the occupants and immediately available. Throw able flotation devices must be available for immediate use.

Persons being towed, such as skiers, are considered on board and are included in the number of flotation devices required. On all boats over 16' (except canoes and kayaks), the flotation devices must be a wearable type (Types I, II, or III). On boats over 16' one throw able (Type IV) is required.

Fire Extinguishers... All motorboats are required to have fire extinguishers on board, with the exception of outboard pleasure boats measuring less than 26 feet long that do not have permanently installed fuel tanks or enclosed spaces for gasses or vapors to collect. All extinguishers must be approved for marine use and be at least B-1 in size.

Lights...Running lights are required on all vessels operating between sunset and sunrise. Manually propelled vessels must have at least one hand held white light. The design, size and number of lights are dictated by type and size of vessel. See "the ABCs of California Boating Law" for specific requirements.

Other Requirements...

• Ventilation and Backfire Flame Control Devices are required on all powerboats except those with outboard motors.
  
• Horns or whistles are required on vessels 16 feet or longer and all vessels must have some means of making a loud sound for signaling other than the human voice.

As of March 1999... The Shasta County Sheriff's Boating Safety Unit adopted a new County Ordinance adding the following speed zones on Shasta Lake:

• No person shall operate a motorboat at a speed in excess of five miles per hour within one hundred feet of any swimmers, shoreline or anchored vessel.
  
• Five miles per hour speed zones have been added from five hundred feet south to five hundred feet north of the following resorts: Tsasdi's Resort, Lakeshore Resort and Antlers Resort.