Boating Bill Signed into Law

Missouri Governor Mike Parson signed Senate Bill 49 on Wednesday. The new law will prohibit vessels positioned within 100 feet of a permitted boat dock from being anchored in a manner that obstructs ingress or egress of watercraft to or from the dock unless authorized by the boat dock permit holder. The act also provides that no person shall secure a vessel to or enter upon a private permitted boat dock unless authorized to do so by the boat dock permit holder or as specified in the act. A violation of these provisions shall be an infraction.

It also specifies that operating or positioning a vessel in a manner that obstructs or impedes the normal flow of traffic on the waters of this state shall be an infraction rather than a Class C misdemeanor for a first offense or a Class B misdemeanor for a second or subsequent offense.”

The major takeaways for boaters are:

No more anchoring within 100 feet of someone else’s dock in a way that might prevent the dock owner from getting their boat in or out

No more tying up to, or stepping onto, other people’s docks without their permission.

The bill was sponsored by Senator Justin Brown, who represents District 16, which includes Camden, Crawford, Dent, Phelps, and Pulaski counties. Brown said he had many constituents from the Lake of the Ozarks reach out to him regarding boat dock trespassing. He said the legislation clarifies normal etiquette on the water and provides the Water Patrol clear authority to issue a ticket when necessary.

The law goes into effect on August 28th.