Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 45, November 9, 2024
(a) An internal combustion engine may not be used to propel a boat or to provide energy to the motor on Commission lakes. Boats propelled by battery-powered electric motors and nonmechanically propelled boats, subject to restrictions on sailboats and inflatables, may be used either with or without internal combustion engines attached. Boats propelled by battery-powered electric motors shall not be operated at greater than slow no wake speed. Notwithstanding this subsection, internal combustion engines may be used in the performance of official duties by persons authorized by the Commission.(b) Overnight mooring of boats is permitted at designated mooring areas from April 1 to November 30. A boat utilizing mooring areas shall be registered and display the official registration number and current validation stickers described under Subpart C (relating to boating) and Part III of the code (relating to boats and boating). The mooring is at the sole risk of the owner.(c) The Commission may refuse to permit the mooring of a boat considered unseaworthy. Boats may not be rented or offered for hire at Commission lakes except for boats owned and moored by authorized concessionaires.(d) Boats abandoned, sunken, obviously unseaworthy or unidentifiable will be impounded. The district waterways conservation officer will notify the owner, if known, of the impoundment and require the removal of the vessel within 10 days. Impounded vessels will be sold or destroyed if not claimed by the owner within 3 months.(e) Boats may not remain at boarding piers on Commission lakes or controlled property longer than the time necessary for loading and unloading.(f) A boat using a Commission lake or access area must be registered and display the official registration number and current validation stickers described under Subpart C and Part III of the code. (1) This subsection does not apply to: (i) Unpowered boats that display an official and valid use permit issued by the Commission under 53.27 (relating to use permits for unpowered boats) or that display an official and valid watercraft launch or mooring permit issued by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for use of launch or mooring facilities at this Commonwealth's State parks and forests.(ii) Noncommercial users of access areas on the West Branch of the Delaware River and the portion of the Delaware River upstream of the Interstate 84 Bridge.(iii) Unpowered public service boats as defined under section 5302(c)(2) of the code (relating to exemptions from registration).(iv) Unpowered boats participating in events authorized under 109.6 (relating to special marine events).(2) Registered unpowered kayaks, sculls, sailboards and other low volume boats of similar design are exempt from displaying registration numbers but shall display a current validation sticker.The provisions of this §53.8 amended December 28, 1984, effective 12/29/1984, 14 Pa.B. 4691; amended February 1, 1991, effective 2/2/1991, 21 Pa.B. 422; amended June 3, 1994, effective 6/4/1994, 24 Pa.B. 2795; amended October 14, 1994, effective 10/15/1994, 24 Pa.B. 5231; amended April 12, 1996, effective 4/13/1996, 26 Pa.B. 1706; amended April 19, 1996, effective 4/20/1996, 26 Pa.B. 1822; amended August 8, 1997, effective 8/9/1997, 27 Pa.B. 3999; amended January 2, 1998, effective 1/1/1998, 28 Pa.B. 30; amended February 26, 1999, effective 2/27/1999, 29 Pa.B. 1068; amended February 18, 2000, effective 2/19/2000, 30 Pa.B. 870; amended June 15, 2001, effective 6/16/2001, 31 Pa.B. 3205; amended March 7, 2003, effective 3/8/2003, 33 Pa.B. 1228; amended October 2, 2009, effective 10/3/2009, 39 Pa.B. 5730; amended December 6, 2013, effective 1/1/2014, 43 Pa.B. 7083Amended by Pennsylvania Bulletin, Vol 46, No. 13. March 26, 2016, effective 3/26/2016Amended by Pennsylvania Bulletin, Vol 52, No. 49. December 3, 2022, effective 1/1/2023The provisions of this §53.8 issued under the Fish and Boat Code, 30 Pa.C.S. §§ 305, 322, 741, 742(e), 928, 2102, 2307, 2711 and 5122-5124; amended under the Fish and Boat Code, 30 Pa.C.S. §§ 741, 2502, 5122 and 5123; and section 506 of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P.S. § 186).