The primary goal of the Water Patrol is lake safety and as a private property owner the Association needs to enforce all the rules in place. Please read the Rules and Regulations even if you’ve been a member for years. It is always good to brush up and pose questions to your District Director or the LLA Office at 816-578-4272. During the 2024 season the patrol will be focused on safety and educating members through warnings, however, breaking the following rules will earn an immediate citation.
Section C – Watercraft Registration Decal
1. A Current Registration Decal shall be displayed on all Watercraft before it may be used on the Lake, Watercraft lifts, Docks, or Parkways. Points for this violation are as follows:
a. Not correctly displaying decals that have been purchased before the time of violation. (3 pts)
b. Neither displaying nor purchasing decals until after time of violation. (6 pts.)
c. Operating a watercraft on the Lake for which a sticker has not been purchased. (9 pts.)
Points are not to be compounded based on the number of boats owned. See Appendix A for placement of decal. Only the current year sticker shall be visible. (3 pts.).
3. All PWCs shall display two identically numbered decals. These decals may be obtained from the Association each year at registration (6 pts.). See Appendix A for placement of decals.
Section E – Age Restrictions
b. No person under the age of 16 shall operate a PWC. (6 pts.) No person under the age of 17 shall operate a PWC, unless they have completed the Missouri Water Patrol Water Safety Class. (6 pts.)
Section F – Equipment
1. Each Watercraft shall have a life preserver (vest, ski belt, buoyant cushion, or ring buoy) for each person aboard the Watercraft. Flotation devices shall be in serviceable condition and readily accessible. (3 pts.)
a. Each person on a PWC shall wear a US Coast Guard approved PFD: Type I, II, III or V. (3 pts.)
3. All Watercraft manufactured after 1970 shall have a maximum capacity plate mounted in a position, so as to be readily visible by the Operator. This plate shall list the maximum operating limitations of the vessel in regard to the following:
a. Number of persons allowed onboard;
b. Total weight of gear allowed;
c. Total combined weight of person and gear allowed;
d. The maximum horsepower allowed for motors.
e. Any failure to comply with the maximum capacity ratings of the Watercraft is prohibited. (6 pts.).
Section H – Navigation Rules:
(Adopted from the Missouri Watercraft Manual, published by the Missouri State Water Patrol)
1. ALL POWER CRAFT SHALL PROCEED IN A COUNTER-CLOCKWISE MANNER. (3 pts.)
Section I – Negligent Operation:
1. No Watercraft shall cut in front of or across the path of another Watercraft on a fixed course, unless maintaining a distance of 150 feet. (6 pts.)
2. No Watercraft shall follow closer than 300 feet behind a power craft that is pulling a person on water skis or other similar device. (6 pts.)
a. Prohibited Activities: #9 – No person shall engage in belligerent or abusive behavior or use profanity or otherwise engage in behavior likely to disturb the peace of others. (6 pts.)
Section K – Speed Limits:
2. Night time speed limits: Maximum speed limit on the main body of the Lake, between the hours of one-half hour after sunset to sunrise, is 10 miles per hour or less with minimal wake. (6 pts.)
3. Slow No-Wake Limits:
a. Shorelines: No person shall operate a boat within 100 feet of the shoreline in excess of Slow No-Wake speed, or in a manner that endangers persons, property, or causes excessive wake or wash. (6 pts.)
b. Coves: No person shall operate a Watercraft within any Cove in excess of Slow No-Wake speed, or in a manner that endangers persons, property, or cause excessive wake or wash. (6 pts.)
Section L – Official Water Traffic Control Devices and Shoreline Buoys:
4. Shoreline Limitations:
No person shall operate a Watercraft or PWC within 100 feet of the shoreline, except for the express purpose of approaching or leaving the shoreline, and only then, after ascertaining that there are no swimmers in the immediate area. Any person fishing within the 100 feet limit may cruise at trolling speed, keeping a vigilant lookout for swimmers and other persons. Sailboats may enter within the 100 feet limit during sanctioned races, provided they do not place any person or property in danger. (6 pts.)
Section M – Personal Water Craft (PWC):
2. Operation Regulations:
c. No person under the age of 16 shall operate a PWC. (6 pts.)
g. No PWC Operator shall allow another person to ski or be dragged behind a PWC. (3 pts.) Using a PWC to tow another vessel is allowed. (01/21)
Section N – Water Skiing:
3. Operation Regulations.
b. Observer: No person shall operate a Watercraft while pulling a water skier, unless there is in the Watercraft, in addition to the Operator, an observer who is in a position to communicate readily with the Operator, and who is observing the water skier in a competent manner. The minimum age for an observer is 5 years. (3 pts.)
c. No Skiing in Cove: No person shall operate a Watercraft while pulling or attempting to pull a water skier within a Cove, designated as such by an official water traffic control device. (6 pts.)
Section Q – Miscellaneous:
No person shall deposit in the Lake or on the Parkway any vegetation including leaves, grass tree limbs, trash, fish offal, or other offensive substances. (3 pts.)
No pulling of more than 2 water skiiers/tubers, etc. either separately or together, on the same device at the same time & only 1 on holidays. (3 pts.)
Swimming: Must stay within 75 feet of shore. If swimming from a watercraft, must be behind no-wake buoy in a cove within 75 feet of the watercraft. (6 pts.)
Operator’s requirements: An owner or immediate family member must be present (motorized watercraft.) Non-motorized watercraft may be operated by a guest (Within eyesight of immediate family member). (6 pts.)
Definition of Immediate Family: Family or Single Family: Any member of the immediate family of the responsible property Owner and their spouse to only include their: grandparent(s), parent(s), spouse(s), son and daughter in law(s), child(ren) and grandchild(ren).
Thank you for your attention to these very important rules and have a safe and fun summer on the Lake!
Lake Lotawana Association, Inc.