(a) The executive director may authorize the holding of regattas, motorboat or other boat races, marine parades, tournaments, exhibitions, or land-based events that are intended to be viewed from the water by vessel that impact navigation or the safety of vessels on any waters of this state. The commission shall adopt from time to time and amend regulations concerning the safety of motorboats and other vessels and persons on motorboats and vessels, either observers or participants.
Terms Used In Tennessee Code 69-9-211
Boat: means any vessel: (A) Manufactured or used primarily for noncommercial use. See Tennessee Code 69-9-204
Executive director: means the executive director of the wildlife resources agency. See Tennessee Code 69-9-204
Motorboat: means any vessel propelled by machinery, whether or not such machinery is the principal source of propulsion. See Tennessee Code 69-9-204
Person: means an individual, partnership, firm, corporation, association, or other entity. See Tennessee Code 69-9-204
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 Tennessee Code 1-3-105
Vessel: means every description of watercraft, other than a seaplane on the water, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water. See Tennessee Code 69-9-204
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the executive director is authorized to establish temporary zones and restrictions in connection with the authorization of a specific special aquatic event as provided for in subsection (c). The executive director shall ensure that adequate public notice of the temporary zones and restrictions is given.(c) Whenever a regatta, motorboat or other boat race, marine parade, tournament, exhibition, or land-based event intended to be viewed from the water by vessel that impacts navigation or vessel safety is proposed to be held, the person in charge of the event, at least thirty (30) days prior to the event, shall file an application with the executive director for permission to hold such regatta, motorboat or other boat race, marine parade, tournament, exhibition, or land-based event intended to be viewed from the water by vessel that impacts navigation or vessel safety. The application shall set forth the date, time and location where it is proposed to hold such regatta, motorboat or other boat race, marine parade, tournament, exhibition, or land-based event intended to be viewed from the water by vessel that impacts navigation or vessel safety, and it shall not be conducted without authorization of the executive director in writing. For good cause shown, the executive director may waive the thirty (30) day requirement.
