North Carolina General Statutes
Article 1 - Boating Safety Act.
§ 75A-10 - Operating vessel or manipulating water skis, etc., in reckless manner; operating, etc., while intoxicated, etc.; depositing or discharging litter, etc.

75A-10. Operating vessel or manipulating water skis, etc., in reckless manner; operating, etc., while intoxicated, etc.; depositing or discharging litter, etc.
(a) No person shall operate any motorboat or vessel, or manipulate any water skis, surfboard, or similar device on the waters of this State in a reckless or negligent manner so as to endanger the life, limb, or property of any person.
(b) No person shall manipulate any water skis, surfboard, nonmotorized vessel, or similar device on the waters of this State while under the influence of an impairing substance.
(b1) No person shall operate any vessel while underway on the waters of this State:
(1) While under the influence of an impairing substance, or
(2) After having consumed sufficient alcohol that the person has, at any relevant time after the boating, an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more.
(b2) The fact that a person charged with violating this subsection is or has been legally entitled to use alcohol or a drug is not a defense to a charge under subsections (b) and (b1) of this section. The relevant definitions contained in G.S. 20-4.01 shall apply to subsections (b), (b1), and (b2) of this section.
(b3) A person who violates a provision of subsection (a) or (b) of this section is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.
(b4) A person who violates subsection (b1) of this section is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor, and upon conviction, in addition to any other penalty imposed, shall be fined not less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00).
(c) No person shall place, throw, deposit, or discharge or cause to be placed, thrown, deposited, or discharged on the waters of this State or into the inland lake waters of this State, any litter, raw sewage, bottles, cans, papers, or other liquid or solid materials which render the waters unsightly, noxious, or otherwise unwholesome so as to be detrimental to the public health or welfare or to the enjoyment and safety of the water for recreational purposes.
(d) No person shall place, throw, deposit, or discharge or cause to be placed, thrown, deposited, or discharged on the waters of this State or into the inland lake waters of this State any medical waste as defined by G.S. 130A-290 which renders the waters unsightly, noxious, or otherwise unwholesome so as to be detrimental to the public health or welfare or to the enjoyment and safety of the water for recreational purposes.
(e) A person who willfully violates subsection (d) of this section is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. A person who willfully violates subsection (d) of this section and in so doing releases medical waste that creates a substantial risk of physical injury to any person who is not a participant in the offense is guilty of a Class F felony which may include a fine not to exceed fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) per day of violation. (1959, c. 1064, s. 10; 1965, c. 634, s. 3; 1985, c. 615, ss. 1-5; 1989, c. 742, s. 1; 1995, c. 506, s. 14; 2006-185, s. 1; 2013-380, s. 5; 2016-34, s. 3.)

Structure North Carolina General Statutes

North Carolina General Statutes

Chapter 75A - Boating and Water Safety

Article 1 - Boating Safety Act.

§ 75A-1 - Declaration of policy.

§ 75A-2 - Definitions.

§ 75A-3 - Wildlife Resources Commission to administer Chapter; Boating Safety Committee; funds for administration.

§ 75A-4 - Identification numbers required.

§ 75A-5 - Application for certificate of number; fees; reciprocity; change of ownership; conformity with federal regulations; records; award of certificates; renewal of certificates; transfer of partial interest; destroyed or junked vessels; abandonm...

§ 75A-5.2 - (Effective until July 1, 2023) Vessel agents.

§ 75A-6 - Classification; rules.

§ 75A-6.1 - Navigation rules.

§ 75A-7 - Exemption from numbering requirements.

§ 75A-8 - Vessel liveries.

§ 75A-9 - Muffling devices.

§ 75A-10 - Operating vessel or manipulating water skis, etc., in reckless manner; operating, etc., while intoxicated, etc.; depositing or discharging litter, etc.

§ 75A-10.1 - Family purpose doctrine applicable.

§ 75A-10.2 - Proof of ownership of a vessel.

§ 75A-10.3 - Death or serious injury by impaired boating; repeat offenses.

§ 75A-11 - Duty of operator involved in collision, accident, casualty, or other occurrence.

§ 75A-12 - Furnishing information to agency of United States.

§ 75A-13 - Water skis, surfboards, etc.

§ 75A-13.1 - Skin and scuba divers.

§ 75A-13.3 - Personal watercraft.

§ 75A-14.1 - Lake Norman No-Wake Zone.

§ 75A-14.2 - Temporary waiver of enforcement of no-wake zones.

§ 75A-15 - Rules on water safety; adoption of the United States Aids to Navigation System.

§ 75A-16.1 - Boating safety course.

§ 75A-16.2 - Boating safety education required.

§ 75A-17 - Enforcement of Chapter.

§ 75A-18 - Penalties.

§ 75A-19 - Operation of vessels by manufacturers, dealers, etc.