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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>58749</law_id><section_number>29.1-744.3</section_number><catch_line>Slacken speed and control wakes near structures</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><p>It shall be unlawful to <span class="dictionary">operate</span> any <span class="dictionary">motorboat</span>, except a <span class="dictionary">personal watercraft</span>, at a speed greater than the slowest possible speed required to maintain steerage and headway when within 50 feet or less of docks, piers, boathouses, boat ramps, or a person in the water, unless such person in the water (i) is being towed by the <span class="dictionary">motorboat</span> or (ii) is accompanying the <span class="dictionary">motorboat</span>, provided that such <span class="dictionary">motorboat</span> is propelled by an inboard motor or a means of propulsion that is below the water line and forward of (a) the transom or (b) an integrated swim platform.</p></section></text><history>1998, c. 857; 2012, c. 700; 2018, cc. 117, 637.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
