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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>81705</law_id><section_number>29.1-735</section_number><catch_line>Regulations for vessel operation and equipment</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="29.1">Wildlife, Inland Fisheries and Boating</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="7">Boating Laws</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="3">Boating Safety</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Board</span> shall adopt such <span class="dictionary">regulations</span> as it deems appropriate: (i) to provide rules for the safe and reasonable operation of <span class="dictionary">vessels</span> so as to reduce the risks of collision, personal injury and property damage as a result of such operation; and (ii) to govern the number, type, condition, performance capabilities, use, and stowage on <span class="dictionary">board</span>, of lifesaving (personal flotation) devices and other safety equipment to be carried on <span class="dictionary">vessels</span> or classes of <span class="dictionary">vessels</span> operated on waters within the territorial limits of this Commonwealth. <a id="paragraph-292692" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/29.1-735/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Board</span> is hereby authorized to make <span class="dictionary">regulations</span> to the extent necessary to keep these requirements generally in conformity with the provisions of the federal navigation <span class="dictionary">laws</span>, or with the rules promulgated by the United States Coast Guard or the United States Secretary of <span class="dictionary">Transportation</span>. <a id="paragraph-292693" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/29.1-735/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> No person shall <span class="dictionary">operate</span> or give permission for the operation of a <span class="dictionary">vessel</span> which is not equipped as required by <span class="dictionary">Board</span> <span class="dictionary">regulations</span>. <a id="paragraph-292694" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/29.1-735/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1984, c. 417, &#xA7; 62.1-172.1; 1987, c. 488.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
