(a) It is unlawful to operate a vessel in a reckless manner upon the waters of this state. A person is guilty of the reckless operation of a vessel if the person operates any vessel, or manipulates any water skis, aquaplane, or other marine transportation device, upon the waters of this state in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property at a speed or in a manner likely to endanger the life, limb, or property of any person. Any person who violates this subsection shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor and shall be fined not less than one hundred fifty dollars ($150).

Attorney's Note

Under the Alabama Code, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:
ClassPrisonFine
Class A misdemeanorup to 1 yearup to $6,000
Violationup to 30 daysup to $200
For details, see Ala. Code § 13A-5-7

Terms Used In Alabama Code 33-5-70

  • person: includes a corporation as well as a natural person. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • property: includes both real and personal property. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
(b) Any person operating a vessel upon the waters of this state shall operate the vessel in a reasonable and prudent manner, so as not to endanger the life, limb, or property of any person. The endangerment of life, limb, or property through the negligence, carelessness, or inattention of any person operating a vessel on the waters of this state shall constitute careless operation of a vessel. Vessel wake and shoreline wash resulting from the reasonable and prudent operation of a vessel , absent negligence, shall not constitute damage or endangerment to property. Any person who violates this subsection shall be guilty of a boating violation and shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars ($100).
(c) Each person operating a vessel upon the waters of this state shall comply with all of the rules of the secretary.

(1) A person whose violation of the rules results in a boating accident, but whose violation did not constitute reckless or careless operation of a vessel, shall be guilty of a boating violation and shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars ($100).
(2) A person whose violation of the rules does not result in a boating accident and does not constitute reckless or careless operation of a vessel shall be guilty of a boating violation .
(d) In addition to all other penalties contained in this section, any person convicted of violating this section shall be subject to the revocation or suspension of his or her boating safety certification or vessel operator’s certification or vessel operating privileges upon the waters of this state, as provided by law and rules adopted by the secretary.
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