Boating Safety

This is the 2026 edition of the code. This is the current edition. It was last updated Aug 02, 2026. Browse all editions.

This is Article 3 of the Code of Virginia, titled “Boating Safety.” It is part of Chapter 7 “Boating Laws”, which is part of Title 29.1 “Wildlife, Inland Fisheries and Boating”. It contains 32 laws.

It’s comprised of the following 32 sections.

§ 29.1-734	Authorization for and placing of markers in waters of the Commonwealth used for public swimming areas; no motorboating, waterskiing in marked area
§ 29.1-734.1	Skin and scuba divers
§ 29.1-735	Regulations for vessel operation and equipment
§ 29.1-735.1	Board authorized to promulgate regulations for seaplanes
§ 29.1-735.2	Boating safety education required; Board to promulgate regulations
§ 29.1-735.3	Regulation of parasail operators
§ 29.1-736	Boat rentals; equipment; safety course
§ 29.1-737	Muffling devices
§ 29.1-738	Operating boat or manipulating water skis, etc., in reckless manner or while intoxicated, etc
§ 29.1-738.01	Operating boat in an improper manner; penalty
§ 29.1-738.02	Persons under age twenty-one operating watercraft after illegally consuming alcohol; penalty
§ 29.1-738.03	Reckless operation of a personal watercraft
§ 29.1-738.1	Analysis of breath to determine alcohol content of blood
§ 29.1-738.2	Consent to blood or breath test
§ 29.1-738.3	Presumptions from alcohol or drug content
§ 29.1-738.4	Additional penalty for reckless or intoxicated operation of a watercraft or motorboat
§ 29.1-738.5	Participation in rehabilitation program
§ 29.1-738.6	When arrested person operating a vessel; how vessel removed from scene of arrest
§ 29.1-739	Duty of operator involved in collision, accident or other casualty; immunity from liability; report of collision, etc.; summons in lieu of arrest
§ 29.1-739.1	Disregarding signal by law-enforcement officer to stop; attempts to elude; penalty
§ 29.1-739.2	Conservation police officers to patrol lakes
§ 29.1-740	Duty to stop and render assistance; penalties for violations
§ 29.1-741	Furnishing information to agency of United States
§ 29.1-742	Towing water skis, surfboards, etc
§ 29.1-743	Repealed
§ 29.1-744	Local regulation; application for placement or removal of "no wake" buoys, etc
§ 29.1-744.1	Repealed
§ 29.1-744.2	Repealed
§ 29.1-744.3	Slacken speed and control wakes near structures
§ 29.1-744.4	"Pass-through" zones; local ordinances; penalties
§ 29.1-745	Enforcement of chapter; vessels displaying Coast Guard inspection decal
§ 29.1-746	Penalties