House Votes To Raise Mandatory Life Jacket Age

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Originally Posted by jrc

How is this enforced? On Winnipesaukee, overnight anchoring is clearly enforced against all cruiser type boat. (I have seen people get away with it after Labor Day) These boat have permanent sleeping and toilet facilities, so they are houseboats, right?

Do MP enforce the overnight anchoring rules against bowriders or pontoons? Can I anchor my bowrider at the sandbar overnight? Can I sleep on it? What if it has a porta-potty and a sleeping bag.

Can I take a cruiser on Squam? Can I take a bowrider or pontoon? What if it has a porta-potty and a sleeping bag?

I guess the rules are unclear, but how are they enforced?

I point this out to let people know just how vague some of our regulations are and how they contradict each other.

It also points out the danger of making blanket statements when it comes to our local, state and federal laws. No wonder there is so many lawyers out there.

Take IslandLovers blanket statement that bicycles must abide by speed laws. There is an RSA that says generally bicyclists must follow motor vehicle laws. However, there is a separate RSA that states that speed laws only apply to (mechanized) vehicles. One contradicts the other. Many of you may remember the bicyclist arrested for DWI several years ago. Because the bicycle & motor vehicle code were contradictory the case was headed to the Supreme Court to determine the legality of applying those laws. Of course both sides were afraid of the outcome and the case was settled.

The point here is the blanket statement in the boating guide that overnight anchoring is illegal in New Hampshire is not supported in totality by a New Hampshire RSA or the Administrative Code. It is quite clear that houseboats cannot anchor overnight. Houseboats also have a fairly clear definition. What I am pointing out here is, in my opinon, a common perception held by many about staying out overnight in a boat that is not a houseboat. And remember, the overnight prohibition appears in a specific chapter devoted exclusively to houseboats.

Anyway, I bring this diversion up as an interesting point of discussion. Let me rephrase the question, can anyone show me a RSA or an Administrative rule that prohibits overnight anchoring for any vessel other than a houseboat?