Skip and Siksukr,
Thanks for your replies. As you can see, there is some conflict here.
Our local rep believes that jet skis are not allowed to operate in coves (any inlet 1000 feet or less across at its widest point) except if they are travelling at headway speed in a straight line to a residence they own or are visiting. He claims to have sponsored the bill that resulted in that law. That is also the way I had understood it, and seems to be what Skip confirms. The Dept of Safety's own Boater's Guide (
www.boat-ed.com/nh/handbook/pwc.htm) says "It is illegal to operate a ski craft within a cove (a bay or inlet that does not exceed 1000 feet at its widest point) or within 300 feet of shore, unless the ski craft is proceeding at headway speed directly to an area where ski craft operation is permitted". RSA 270:74 VII seems to concur with that except for the mysterious phrase "as designated by the commissioner". But if RSA270:74 VII did not intend to ban ski craft from operating in coves, then what purpose does the "direct line at headway speed" exception of RSA 270:74 VIII serve? I think the phrase "as designated by the commissioner" was meant to refer to other larger coves that are also off limits. MP says I am wrong, that undesignated coves are ok for jet skis and that only those "designated coves" listed by Siksur are off limits (They say, "or else why would we bother designating certain coves as off limits?"), But those coves listed are greater that 1000 feet across and had petitioned for special desgination, I think that's why. They also do not feel they would have enough personel to ever enforce the law if it is really as I interpret it. I am sure that MP is wrong and is not enforcing the law because they do not understand it (or just don't like it). The legislator disagrees with MP's interpretation. The Dept of Safety's (MP's boss) own literature disagrees with MP's interpretation. Where do I go from here? I can't find anyone in the Dept of Safety to discuss this with, except the MP's in Glendale.