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[Skipper of the Sea Que]

Originally Posted by Kamper

The MP might have assumed the bottle was a swim line marker. No rule says you need more than one float. [snip]

Also the rule on NWZ includes bouys and floats which most people interpret as navigation markers and rafts.

This topic has been discussed on the forum before. Navigation aids (buoys) all by themselves are NOT subject to the 150 foot No Wake Zone rules. Rocks are not covered either. Flashing Light 46 (on Nipple Rock) near Round Island is a great example. You can zoom on plane very close to that marker as long as you are over 150 feet from Round Island (and other boats of course). If the light were on an island and not a ROCK then we would indeed have to be at headway within 150 feet of the island (not the navigation aid).

Designated Swim areas are delineated by swim lines. We must be at headway within 150 feet of those lines too (with a few specific exceptions). I was under the assumption that swim lines had to be approved and follow certain guidelines. I do not think a single Clorox bottle constitutes a legitimate swim line. Maybe the bottle was closer than 150 feet to shore or to a swim raft and that is why the MP stopped the boat. As Lakegeezer said, I' too would fight the ticket if it were for being above headway within 150 feet of a Clorox bottle (and no other violation).

When in doubt, always slow down or stop.

Happy and safe boating.