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32-1119. Classes; light and other equipment requirements; prohibited operation. (a) Motorboats subject to the provisions of this act shall be divided into four classes as follows:

Class A. Less than 16 feet in length.

Class 1. Sixteen feet or over and less than 26 feet in length.

Class 2. Twenty-six feet or over and less than 40 feet in length.

Class 3. Forty feet and over in length.

(b) Every motorboat in all weathers from sunset to sunrise shall carry and exhibit the following lights when under way, and during such time no other lights which may be mistaken for those prescribed shall be exhibited.

(1) Definitions.

(A) "Masthead light" means a white light placed over the fore and aft centerline of the vessel showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 225 degrees and so fixed as to present the light from the right ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on either side of the vessel, except that on a vessel of less than 12 meters in length, the masthead light shall be placed as nearly as practicable to the fore and aft centerline of the vessel.

(B) "Sidelights" means a green light on the starboard side and a 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 vessel of less than 20 meters in length, the sidelights may be combined in one lantern carried on the fore and aft centerline of the vessel.

(C) "Sternlight" 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 of 67.5 degrees from right aft on each side of the vessel.

(D) "All-round light" means a light showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 360 degrees.

(2) Every motorboat of classes A and 1 shall carry the following lights:

First. An all-round light carried aft and high enough to be unobstructed.

Second. Sidelights in the fore part of the vessel and lower than the all-round light.

(3) Every motorboat of classes 2 and 3 shall carry a masthead light, sternlight and sidelights. The sidelights shall be fitted with inboard screens of sufficient height so set as to prevent these lights from being seen across the bow.

(4) Motorboats when propelled by sail alone, and sailing vessels when propelled by sail alone, shall carry sidelights and a sternlight.

(5) Manually propelled vessels shall carry, ready at hand, a lantern or flashlight showing a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to avert collision.

(6) Every white light prescribed by this section shall be of such character as to be visible at a distance of at least two miles. Every colored light prescribed by this section shall be of such character as to be visible at a distance of at least one mile. The word "visible" in this subsection, when applied to lights, shall mean visible on a dark night with clear atmosphere.

(7) When propelled by sail and machinery any motorboat shall carry the lights required by this section for a motorboat propelled by machinery only.

(8) All vessels at anchor between sunset and sunrise, unless anchored at a designated site, shall carry forward, or where it can best be seen, a bright white light to show all around the horizon and visible for one mile.

(c) In lieu of the lights required by subsection (b), any vessel may carry and exhibit the lights required by the federal regulations under the inland navigational rules act of December 24, 1981 (33 U.S.C. §§ 2020-2030), as in effect on the effective date of this act, or as prescribed by rules and regulations of the secretary.

(d) Every motorboat shall be provided with an efficient whistle or other sound-producing mechanical appliance.

(e) Every motorboat of class 3 shall be provided with an efficient bell.

(f) Every vessel, other than sail boards used for wind surfing, racing shells or rowing sculls shall carry at least one coast guard approved lifesaving device of the sort prescribed by rules and regulations of the secretary, in good and serviceable condition, for each person on board, so placed as to be readily accessible. As used in this subsection, "racing shell" and "rowing scull" mean a manually propelled vessel that is recognized by national or international racing associations for use in competitive racing in which all occupants row, scull or paddle, with the exception of a coxswain, and is not designed to carry and does not carry any equipment, not solely for competitive racing.

(g) Every motorboat shall be provided with such number, size, and type of coast guard approved fire extinguishers, capable of promptly and effectually extinguishing burning gasoline, as may be prescribed by rules and regulations of the secretary, which fire extinguishers shall be at all times kept in condition for immediate and effective use and shall be so placed as to be readily accessible.

(h) The provisions of subsections (d), (e) and (g) shall not apply to outboard motorboats while competing in any race conducted pursuant to K.S.A. 32-1149, and amendments thereto, or, if such boats are designed and intended solely for racing, while engaged in such navigation as is incidental to the tuning up of the boats and engines for the race.

(i) Every motorboat shall have the carburetor or carburetors of every engine therein, except outboard motors, using gasoline as fuel, equipped with such efficient coast guard approved flame arrester, backfire trap or other similar device as may be prescribed by rules and regulations of the secretary.

(j) Every such motorboat and every such vessel, except open boats, using as fuel any liquid of a volatile nature shall be provided with such means as may be prescribed by rules and regulations of the secretary for properly and efficiently ventilating the bilges of the engine and fuel tank compartments so as to remove any explosive or inflammable gases.

(k) The secretary is hereby authorized to adopt, in accordance with K.S.A. 32-805, and amendments thereto, rules and regulations required to carry out in the most effective manner all of the provisions of this act and to alter, modify or supplement the equipment requirements contained in this section to the extent necessary to keep these requirements in conformity with the provisions of the federal navigation laws or with the navigation rules promulgated by the United States coast guard.

(l) The secretary is hereby authorized to establish and maintain, for the operation of vessels on the waters of this state, pilot rules in conformity with the pilot rules contained in the federal navigation laws or the navigation rules promulgated by the United States coast guard.

(m) No person shall operate or give permission for the operation of a vessel which is not equipped as required by the laws of Kansas and rules and regulations of the secretary.

(n) No person shall operate a motorboat or other vessel close to swimming areas, moored boats or vessels engaged in fishing, servicing buoys or markings, or similar activities, without reducing the speed of the vessel so as to prevent wash or wake from the vessel causing damage or unnecessary inconvenience to the occupants of the area or other vessels.

History: L. 1970, ch. 408, § 4; L. 1984, ch. 381, § 1; L. 1989, ch. 118, § 144; L. 2006, ch. 85, § 4; January 1, 2007.