Boating Safety

New York State Navigation Law, Boating Regulations for Keuka Lake

Maximum Speed Limits

  • 45 mph during daylight hours
  • 25 mph ½ hr after sunset until ½ hr before sunrise
  • 5 mph within 200 ft of shore, docks, rafts or moored vessels (except when pulling up or dropping off a water skier)
    • Boating Equipment
    • Motor Boat
    • PWC
    • Sailboats & Manual Powered Vessels
    • ​PFD (wearable)
    • ​1 per person
    • ​1 per person
    • 1 per person
    • ​Fire Extinguisher
    • ​All* Type B
    • NR (fed waters only)
    • NR
    • Red Flares (3)
    • ​16' & Up
    • NR
    • From Sunset to Sunrise
    • ​Distress Flag
    • ​NR
    • ALL
    • NR
    • Throwable Device
    • 16ft & Up
    • NR
    • Type VI Throwable PFD
    • ​Anchor
    • All
    • NR
    • NR
    • ​Horn & Bell & Whistle
    • ​39' and over NR
    • NR
    • -
    • ​Whistle or Horn
    • ​Under 39'
    • ALL
    • NR
    • ​Navigation Lights
    • ​Bow & Stern
    • NR**
    • White lantern
    • *   Except outboards (unless you have a closed gas supply); Boats 26-40 ft must carry (2)
    • **  PWCs may operate only during daylight hours (sunrise to sunset)
    • ​*** Sailboats may require additional lighting under certain circumstances & should contact the proper authorities for further information
    • ​**** Canoes and Rowboats are exempt

Water Skiing

  • Tow boat must have an observer over ten years of age, in addition to the operator
  • Skier must wear an approved PFD
  • Water Skiing is prohibited between sunset and sunrise

Powerboat Training: Persons 10-17 must have successfully completed an approved boaters’ Safety Course to operate a power boat alone

Personal Watercraft Training: Operators of all ages are required to have the N.Y.S. Safe Boating Course. Any one under the age of 14 must meet the following requirements to operate a PWC.

Accompanied by someone over 18 years of age and within 500’ of another PWC or vessel and within sight of the PWC and holding a safety certificate of their own. These requirements are good until January 1, 2009 when anyone under the age of 14 will not be permitted to operate a PWC.

Children under 12 on board a vessel under 26 feet must wear an appropriately sized type I, II or III life jacket while boat is underway

NYS Safe Boating Class

Course required for boaters 10-17 and anyone operating a Personal Watercraft. Contact:

Yates County public Sheriff (315) 536-4438

Steuben County public safety building. (800) 724-7777

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