(a) It is unlawful to operate a vessel in a reckless manner upon the waters of this state. A person is guilty of the reckless operation of a vessel who operates any vessel, or manipulates any water skis, aquaplane, or other marine transportation device, upon the waters of this state in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property at a speed, or in a manner to endanger, or likely to endanger, life, limb, or damage the property of, or injure any person. Any person who violates this subsection is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor, punishable upon conviction as provided in Sections 13A-5-7 and 13A-5-12. Any person so convicted shall be fined not less than one hundred fifty dollars ($150).
(b) Any person operating a vessel upon the waters of this state shall operate the vessel in a reasonable and prudent manner, so as not to endanger the life, limb, or property of any person. The endangerment of life, limb, or property through the negligence, carelessness, or inattention of any person operating a vessel on the waters of this state shall constitute careless operation. Vessel wake and shoreline wash resulting from the reasonable and prudent operation of a vessel shall, absent negligence, not constitute damage or endangerment to property. Any person who violates this subsection is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor, punishable upon conviction as provided in Sections 13A-5-7 and 13A-5-12. Any person so convicted shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars ($100).
(c) Each person operating a vessel upon the waters of this state shall comply with all of the rules and regulations of the Marine Police Division of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
(d) In addition to all other penalties contained in this section, any person convicted of violating this section shall be subject to the revocation or suspension of their boating safety certification or vessel operator's certification or vessel operating privileges upon the waters of this state, as provided by law and rules and regulations of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Structure Code of Alabama
Title 33 - Navigation and Watercourses.
Chapter 5 - Registration and Operation of Vessels.
Article 2 - Boating Safety Reform.
Section 33-5-50 - Short Title.
Section 33-5-51 - Operation of Personal Watercraft.
Section 33-5-52 - Boater Safety Certification Generally.
Section 33-5-53 - Boater Safety Certification; Application Fee; Examinations; Exemptions.
Section 33-5-54 - Issuance of Boater Safety Certification.
Section 33-5-55 - Reports; Disposition of Funds.
Section 33-5-57 - Persons to Whom Boater Safety Certification Shall Not Be Issued.
Section 33-5-58 - Persons With Physical Disabilities or Impairments; Hearings.
Section 33-5-59 - Display of Certification Required.
Section 33-5-60 - Reciprocal Agreements With Other States.
Section 33-5-64 - Duplicates for Lost or Destroyed Certifications; Fees.
Section 33-5-65 - Reinstatement of Certification Following Cancellation, Suspension, or Revocation.
Section 33-5-66 - Violations; Penalties.
Section 33-5-68 - Application Fee; Retention by Department of Public Safety.
Section 33-5-69 - Flotation Device; Exceptions.
Section 33-5-71 - Obstruction of Operator's View Prohibited; Penalties.
Section 33-5-72 - Emergency Engine or Motor Shut-Off Switch.
Section 33-5-73 - Operation of Vessel in Excess of Speed Zone Prohibited.
Section 33-5-76 - Authority to Arrest at Scene of Boating Accident.
Section 33-5-78 - "Vessel" Defined.
Section 33-5-79 - Rules and Regulations.
Section 33-5-80 - Exemption for Law Enforcement Officers While Performing Their Duties.
Section 33-5-81 - Boating Safety as Part of Driver Education Curricula.