Houston Boating Laws & Regulations

For vessels, Texas boating laws regulate various aspects of required safety equipment for motorboats and PWC,⁴ such as (but not limited to) the required:

• Life-saving equipment – Personal flotation devices (PFDs) must be lifejackets that are approved by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). Children who are 12 or younger must wear a PFD when they are on a vessel that is “underway” (e.g., not anchored or aground). Also, inflatable PFDs are not acceptable for PWC or high-speed activities on waterways.
• Lights – All vessels operating on Texas waterways are required to have at least one bright light, such as a lantern, a flashlight or some type of fixed light. Vessels between 12 and 20 meters long must also have special navigation lights fixed at the front of the watercraft.
• Sound-producing devices – While motorboats that are less than 12 meters long must carry a whistle or horn, those longer than 12 meters must have a whistle or horn and a bell. The intent is to allow boat operators to effectively produce noise in low- or poor-visibility conditions.
• Other equipment – Depending on the nature of a motorboat, other safety equipment that may be required by Texas law can include mirrors, fire extinguishers and water exhaust manifolds. 

To monitor compliance with Texas boating regulations, marine enforcement officers and TPWD game wardens regularly patrol waterways and inspect vessels.

A Houston boat accident lawyer at the Amaro Law Firm is ready to review your potential claim and explain your rights and options.

Call (713) 352-7975, text (281) 612-8024, or contact our firm for your FREE consultation.

As experienced advocates for the injured, our attorneys have the skills, insight, and resources you can rely on for exceptional representation and the highest quality legal service. Our goal is to help you successfully navigate the recovery process so you can focus on healing and restoring your life in the aftermath of a boating accident.

The Amaro Law Firm’s history of extraordinary representation and success in boat accident claims (and other personal injury claims) has earned us glowing testimonials from former clients, as well as 5-star ratings on Google and Facebook.

The Amaro Law offers free virtual and mobile consultations to provide helpful legal advice and essential answers to those with potential boat accident claims. During your consultation, you can get priceless information regarding your rights and how to proceed with a claim. 

________________________________________________________________________________

1: TPWD Boating Information
2: Texas law on boating while intoxicated
3: Texas regulations for the operators of PWC
4: Texas regulations for vessels