NASBLA Roundtable

Good afternoon everyone.  We are trying to find out if any jurisdictions have a standardized distance requiring boaters to proceed at a specific speed for example 6 knots 100 yards from every bridge or similar obstruction in the waterway.  We currently have a number of speed zones around specific bridges and we are tossing around the idea of maybe trying to standardize the minimum speed around them.

Thanks

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Mike Lathroum
Boating Stakeholder Coordinator
Maryland Department of Natural Resources Fishing and Boating Services
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New York State has a general speed limit of 5 mph within 100 feet of any stationary object such as shore, dock, pier, raft, float or anchored boat.  The canal system also has specific speed regulations.

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John Steinbarge
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Original Message:
Sent: 4/30/2026 3:30:00 PM
From: John Steinbarge
Subject: RE: Vessel Speed Limits near bridges and other obstructions

New York State has a general speed limit of 5 mph within 100 feet of any stationary object such as shore, dock, pier, raft, float or anchored boat.  The canal system also has specific speed regulations.

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John Steinbarge
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If you're interested in an international perspective, in NSW (Australia) we have a 6 knot speed limit when within 30m of land and structures or when within 60m of swimmers in the water.

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Nayland Aldridge
Senior Maritime Investigations Officer
Transport for NSW (Maritime)
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Pennsylvania does not have a blank rule for these circumstances but has the option to regulate when marked.

https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pacode?file=/secure/pacode/data/058/chapter103/s103.3.html&d=reduce

§ 103.3. Restriction for special areas.

 (a)  Boats are limited to slow, no wake speed when within 100 feet of the shore line; docks; launching ramps; swimmers or downed skiers or other boat-towed watersports participants; persons wading in the water; anchored, moored, or drifting boats; floats, except for ski jumps and ski landing floats; or other areas so marked. This subsection does not apply in a zoned ski area or authorized ski return areas when those areas are found within the areas described in this subsection.

 (b)  Boats are prohibited within 100 feet of water siphons or intake towers, including associated service bridges and supporting piers where so marked.

 (c)  The Executive Director is authorized to take immediate action to post and mark waters, establish speed zones or otherwise when he determines that a hazard exists that may threaten the safety of persons or property, or both. The Executive Director will notify the Boating Advisory Board and the Commission of the action. Zoned areas, speed limits or other markings established under this authority shall be fully effective and enforceable in accordance with law.

58 Pa. Code § 103.4. Lookout.

58 Pa. Code § 103.5. Safe speed.

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Mark Sweppenhiser
Boating Law Administrator
PA Fish & Boat Commission
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Good morning Mike,

New Hampshire has a statute requiring headway/no wake speed for a distance of 150' while passing under any bridge.  We also have a headway speed requirement when travelling less than 150' from shore. 

When a bridge has no support system or abutments in the water or at the shoreline, officers are trained not to enforce the speed under bridges statute as it was not the intent of our legislature.

Thanks-

Tim

                                                                                                                                                                                                            

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Tim Dunleavy
Captain
NH State Police
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Massachusetts has the following regulation on the topic of the discussion:

323CMR - 2.07 (3):

(3) Headway Speed. A motorboat shall not be operated at more than headway speed: 
(a) When the operator's vision is obscured under a bridge or by bends or curves or in any other 
manner; 
(b) When the motorboat is operated within 150 feet of a marina, boat launching facility, raft or 
float; 
(c) When the vessel is operated within 300 feet of a shoreline being used as a swimming area 
whether public or private. (refer to 323 CMR 2.07(1)(c)); or 
(d) When the motorboat is in a channel, unless a duly authorized local, state or federal marine 
enforcement agency has (1) permitted otherwise; and (2) placed markers in the channel indicating 
the permitted speed. 
(e) When the motorboat is operated within 150 feet of a swimmer.

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Anthony Tranghese
Hampden County Sheriff's Department - Marine Patrol Unit
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