(a) It shall be unlawful on the waters of this state for any person to operate, or give permission to another person to operate, any vessel less than 24 feet in length having an open construction and having more than 50 horsepower, unless the vessel is equipped with an emergency engine or motor shut-off switch.
(b) The shut-off switch referred to in subsection (a), shall be a lanyard-type engine cutoff switch and shall be attached to the person, clothing, or personal flotation device of the operator, as is appropriate, and shall be constructed and installed in a manner so that when in use, any removal of the operator from the normal operating station will result in the immediate shut-off of the engine or motor.
(c) For the purpose of this section, "open construction" means any vessel described herein not having a permanently affixed top or cabin.
(d) Any person violating this section shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor, and upon conviction shall be punishable as provided by Sections 13A-5-7 and 13A-5-12. Any person so convicted shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars ($100).
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.