09-137 C.M.R. ch. 13, § 02 - Definitions

Within these rules the terms listed below have the following meanings. The words and phrases used within these watercraft rules which are not listed below, but are defined within 12 M.R.S. §13001, shall also be a part of these watercraft rules.

1. Aft: means the rear half of the watercraft or boat as contrasted to the bow which is the forward half of the boat.

2. All-Round Light: means a white light showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 360 degrees.

3. Boat Exhibition Event: means an organized display of boats on the water for public viewing.

4. Bow: means the front half of a boat or watercraft.

5. Fore: means the direction towards the front of the boat or watercraft.

6. Hull Length: means the distance measured from end to end over the deck, excluding sheer. It is the straight-line measurement of the overall length, stated in feet and inches, from the foremost part of the watercraft to the after most part measured parallel to the centerline, excluding outboard motors, brackets, bowsprits, rudders and similar attachments.

7. Marine Engine: An engine for marine use, installed on a boat or ship.

8. Masthead Light: means a white light placed over the fore and aft center line of the watercraft showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 225 degrees and so fixed as to show the light from right ahead 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on either side of the watercraft, except that on a watercraft of less than 40 feet in length the masthead light shall be placed as nearly practical to the fore and aft center line of the watercraft.

9. Motorboat Race Event: means an organized race of motorboats on inland waters of the state.

10. Nonmotorized Boat Race Event: means an organized race of nonmotorized boats on inland waters of the state.

11. Personal Flotation Device. Personal Flotation Device (PFD) means a life saving device approved by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and includes:

A. A wearable PFD that is intended to be worn or otherwise attached to the body, also known as a life jacket.

B. A throwable PFD that is intended to be thrown to a person in the water. (A PFD marked as a wearable is not legally considered a throwable PFD.)

12. Parade Event: means an organized event on the water where the use of motorboats or watercraft are displayed and operated at headway speeds in an orderly fashion.

13. Regatta (generally known as a sailboat race): means an organized water event of limited duration using sailboats propelled by sail or rowing.

14. Sidelights: means a green light on the starboard side and red light on the port side each showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 112.5 degrees and so fixed as to show the light from right ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on its respective side. On a watercraft of less than 65 feet in length the side lights may be combined in one lantern carried on the fore and aft centerline of the watercraft, except that on a watercraft of less than 40 feet in length the sidelights when combined in one lantern shall be placed as nearly as practicable to the fore and aft centerline of the watercraft.

15. Stern: means the back part of the watercraft.

16. Stern Light: means a white light placed as nearly as practicable at the stern, showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 135 degrees and so fixed as to show the light 67.5 degrees from right aft on each side of the watercraft.

17. Underway: means a moving, floating watercraft that is not moored, anchored or docked.

18. Visual Distress Signals "VDS": (VDS) A visual device, approved by the USCG, in good and serviceable condition, for daytime or nighttime use as applicable and intended to be seen when deployed by a watercraft in distress.

19. Vessel: means every description of watercraft, other than a seaplane on the water, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on the water and can be used interchangeably with the word watercraft.

20. Watersports: means activities that involve being towed by, or riding in the wake of, a watercraft such as, but not limited to, water skiing, wake boarding, wake surfing, and tubing.

21. Water-ski Exhibition Event: means an organized event on the water designed to display or demonstrate water-skiing skills.

Notes

09-137 C.M.R. ch. 13, § 02