Watercraft

Wyo. Stat. Ann. tit. 41, ch. 13
in effect

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 41-13-101 Definitions; classification of motorboats.

(a) As used in this act: (i) "Commission" means the Wyoming game and fish commission; (ii) "Department" means the Wyoming game and fish department; (iii) "Motorboat" means any watercraft propelled in any respect by propulsion machinery powered by an energy source other than human effort; (iv) "Operate" means to navigate or otherwise use a watercraft; (v) "Owner" means a person having the property in or title to a motorboat excluding a lienholder or a lessee under a lease not intended as security; (vi) "Safety equipment" includes personal flotation devices, towing and bailing devices, paddles, fire extinguishers and navigation lights, backfire flame arresters, whistles or other sound producing devices and ventilation systems; (vii) "Watercraft" means any contrivance used or designed primarily for navigation on water; (viii) "Waters of this state" means any waters within the jurisdiction of Wyoming; (ix) "This act" means W.S. 41-13-101 through 41-13-220. (b) Motorboats subject to the provisions of this act shall be divided into four (4) classes as follows: (i) Class A. Less than sixteen (16) feet in length; (ii) Class B. Sixteen (16) feet or over and less than twenty-six (26) feet in length; (iii) Class C. Twenty-six (26) feet or over and less than forty (40) feet in length; (iv) Class D. Forty (40) feet or over.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 41-13-102 Motorboat certificate of number required.

(a) Except as provided by W.S. 41-13-103, all motorboats powered by propulsion machinery of any type and operated on the waters of this state shall be numbered. (b) No person shall operate nor shall the owner permit the operation of any motorboat unless: (i) The motorboat is numbered in accordance with this act, applicable federal law or a federally approved numbering system of another state; (ii) The certificate of number issued for the motorboat is in full force and effect; and (iii) The identifying number set forth in the certificate of number is displayed on each side of the bow of the motorboat.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 41-13-103 Motorboats to be numbered; exempt motorboats.

(a) A motorboat shall not be required to be numbered under this act if it is: (i) Already covered by a number in full force and effect which has been awarded to it pursuant to federal law or a federally approved numbering system of another state. Provided, that such boat shall not have been within this state for a period in excess of ninety (90) consecutive days; (ii) Presently numbered under the rules of the department until the present registration expires and provided further, that present coast guard numbers shall be specifically recognized for their duration or until the certificate expires, whichever is first; (iii) A motorboat whose owner is the United States, a state or a subdivision thereof, but such ownership must be visibly evident; (iv) A motorboat belonging to a class of boats which has been exempted from numbering by the department after said agency has found that the numbering of motorboats of such class will not materially aid in their identification; and, if an agency of the federal government has a numbering system applicable to the class of motorboats to which the motorboat in question belongs, after the department has further found that the motorboat would also be exempt from numbering if it were subject to the federal law.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 41-13-104 Application for certificate; issuance of certificate and assignment of number; conformity with federal numbering system; expiration and renewal of certificate; transfer of ownership; duplicate certificate; manufacturer and dealer certificates.

(a) The owner of each motorboat requiring numbering by this state shall apply for a number with the department or any place selling game and fish licenses on forms approved by the department. The application shall be signed by the owner and accompanied by the fee required by W.S. 41-13-109. At the time of application, the applicant shall also present proof in a form approved by the department of revenue that all sales or use tax due on the motorboat have been paid. Any person who knowingly presents a false or fraudulent statement of proof is subject to the provisions of W.S. 6-5-303, in addition to any penalties and interest due for nonpayment of sales or use tax on the motorboat. Upon receipt of the application in approved form the department shall issue to the applicant a certificate of number stating the number awarded to the motorboat and the name and address of the owner. The owner shall paint on or attach to each side of the bow of the motorboat the identification number in such manner as may be prescribed by rules and regulations of the commission in order that it may be completely visible. The number shall be maintained in legible condition. The certificate of number shall be pocket size and shall be available at all times for inspection on the motorboat for which issued, wherever the motorboat is operated. If any motorboat is rented for less than one (1) day, the owner or his designee may retain the certificate of number on shore if the certificate is readily available for inspection. (b) The owner of any motorboat for which a current certificate of number has been issued pursuant to any federal law or a federally approved numbering system of another state shall, if the motorboat remains in this state in excess of ninety (90) consecutive days and is operated on the waters of this state at any time during this ninety (90) day period, apply for a certificate of number in the manner prescribed in subsection (a) of this section. (c) In the event that an agency of the United States government shall have in force an overall system of identification numbering for motorboats within the United States, the numbering system employed pursuant to this act by the department shall be in conformity therewith. (d) The department may award any certificate of number directly or through authorized agents. Numbers and certificates awarded by authorized agents in conformity with this act and with rules and regulations of the commission are valid as if awarded directly by the department. (e) All records of the department made or kept pursuant to this section shall be public records. (f) Each certificate of number issued under this act expires on December 31 of the last year of valid registration under the certificate unless sooner terminated or discontinued under this act. A duplicate number may be obtained by an owner upon application to the department, which may require payment of a fee of not more than ten dollars ($10.00). Certificates of number may be renewed by the owner in the same manner provided under this act for obtaining initial certification. (g) The owner of any motorboat shall within fifteen (15) days notify the department if such motorboat is destroyed or abandoned, or if his address no longer conforms to the address appearing on the certificate of number. In all such cases, the notice shall be accompanied by a surrender of the certificate of number. When the surrender of the certificate is by reason of the motorboat being destroyed or abandoned, the department shall cancel the certificate and enter such fact in its records. If the surrender is by reason of a change of address on the part of the owner, the new address shall be endorsed on the certificate and the latter returned to the owner. (h) The purchaser of a motorboat may operate the motorboat for thirty (30) calendar days from the date of purchase without a new certificate of number if upon demand by a person authorized to enforce this act, the new owner can furnish proof of ownership and the date the motorboat was acquired. Upon transfer of ownership of a motorboat, the current certificate of number may be transferred to the new owner upon application to the department. Application by the new owner shall include his name, address and the certificate of number of the motorboat, together with payment of the registration fee prescribed by W.S. 41-13-109 and presentation of proof of transfer. Upon receipt of application and fee, the department shall transfer the certificate of number issued for the motorboat to the new owner. Unless the application is made and fee paid within thirty (30) days, the motorboat is without certificate of number and no person shall operate the motorboat until a certificate is issued. (j) No number other than the number awarded to a motorboat or granted reciprocity pursuant to this act shall be painted, attached, or otherwise displayed on either side of the bow of such motorboat. (k) If any certificate of number is lost, mutilated or becomes illegible, the owner of the motorboat for which the certificate was issued may obtain a duplicate certificate upon application to the department. The department may set and collect payment of a fee for a duplicate certificate not to exceed ten dollars ($10.00). (m) A person engaged in the manufacture or sale of motorboats may, upon application to the department in the manner and on forms prescribed by rule and regulation, obtain certificates of number for use in the testing or demonstrating of these motorboats. The fee for each registration under this subsection shall be thirty dollars ($30.00). The numbers assigned by certificates of number issued under this subsection shall be temporarily placed on the watercraft to be tested or demonstrated.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 41-13-105 Watercraft accidents or collisions; duty to render aid; reportable accidents; operators required to report; accident investigation; seizure of watercraft.

(a) The operator of a watercraft involved in a collision, accident or other casualty, so far as he can do so without serious danger to his own watercraft, crew, passengers and guests, shall render to other persons affected by the collision, accident or other casualty such assistance as may be practicable and as may be necessary in order to save them from or minimize any danger caused by the collision, accident or other casualty. The operator shall give his name, address and identification of his watercraft to any person injured and to the owner of any property damaged in the collision, accident or other casualty. (b) If a collision, accident or other casualty involving a watercraft results in death or injury to a person requiring medical treatment beyond first aid, the disappearance of any person from the watercraft under circumstances which indicate the possibility of death or injury, or damage to property in excess of five hundred dollars ($500.00), the watercraft operator shall immediately provide notice of the accident to any Wyoming law enforcement agency or peace officer of this state. For purposes of this section, accidents include capsizing, flooding, fire, explosion, disappearance of the watercraft other than by theft and all collision accidents involving other watercraft or fixed or floating objects. (c) The operator of any watercraft involved in a reportable watercraft accident as defined under subsection (b) of this section shall immediately provide notice of the accident to any Wyoming law enforcement agency or peace officer. If a watercraft operator is not able to provide notice under this subsection, another adult person on the watercraft at the time of the accident may provide the required notice. Notice under this subsection shall to the extent reasonably known, contain the following information: (i) For each watercraft involved in the accident, the identifying number assigned by the certificate of number issued to the watercraft; (ii) The location, time and date of the accident; (iii) The name, address and age of the operator of each watercraft involved in the accident; (iv) If not operating the watercraft at the time of the accident, the name and address of the watercraft owner; (v) The name and address of any person injured, killed or missing as a result of the accident; (vi) The nature and extent of each injury resulting from the accident; (vii) A description of any property damage resulting from the accident; (viii) The name and address of any passengers on the watercraft at the time of the accident. (d) In addition to subsection (c) of this section, the watercraft operator shall within ten (10) days after the date of the accident, file with the department a full description of the collision, accident or other casualty. The report required under this subsection shall be submitted on a boating accident report form approved by the department and obtained from the investigating law enforcement agency or peace officer. The department shall provide forms required under subsection (c) of this section and this subsection to the appropriate law enforcement agencies and peace officers. The report shall not be referred to in any way and shall not be used as evidence in any judicial proceeding. (e) If the cause of any reportable watercraft accident as defined under subsection (b) of this section cannot be immediately determined during the investigation of the accident by the appropriate peace officer or law enforcement agency and the watercraft is necessary for investigative purposes, the officer or agency may temporarily seize and hold any watercraft involved in the accident.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 41-13-106 Accident report information to federal government.

Upon the request of an authorized official or agency of the United States, any information compiled or otherwise available to the department pursuant to W.S. 41-13-105 shall be transmitted to the requesting official or agency.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 41-13-107 Political subdivisions not to number watercraft.

This act governs the numbering and registration of watercraft on the waters of this state. All other political subdivisions of this state are expressly prohibited from numbering watercraft in any respect.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 41-13-108 Publication and distribution of regulations.

A copy of the regulations adopted pursuant to this act, and of any amendments thereto, shall be published by the department in a convenient form and a copy shall be distributed with each registration.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 41-13-109 Motorboat registration fee.

(a) The nonrefundable and nontransferable registration fee for motorboats is: (i) Thirty dollars ($30.00) for one (1) year; or (ii) Eighty dollars ($80.00) for three (3) years. (b) In addition to the fee under subsection (a) of this section, persons registering a motorboat in Wyoming may pay a voluntary fee of two dollars ($2.00) or any greater amount to fund search and rescue activities. Motorboat registration forms shall contain information about the voluntary fee under this subsection.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 41-13-110 Disposition of registration fees.

(a) Except as provided under subsection (b) of this section, all registration fees received under this act shall be deposited in the state treasury to the credit of the game and fish fund to be used for administration and enforcement of this act. The department may receive funds and property under federal assistance programs. Any monies in excess of administration and enforcement expenses shall be used to promote boating safety, boating safety education and for the construction of boating facilities for the general public. (b) All voluntary fees received under W.S. 41-13-109(b) shall be deposited in the state treasury to the credit of the search and rescue account created by W.S. 19-13-301(a).

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 41-13-111 Prohibited acts; penalties.

(a) No person shall intentionally or knowingly deface, alter, remove or destroy a vessel hull identification number (HIN) or an engine or outboard motor serial number. (b) No person shall intentionally or knowingly provide false information in a report required pursuant to W.S. 41-13-105(c). (c) Any person who fails to register and affix an assigned registration number to a motorboat as required by this act, operates an unregistered or unnumbered motorboat unless authorized by this act or fails to report a watercraft accident as required by W.S. 41-13-105 is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars ($100.00) for each violation.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 41-13-202 Provisions applicable to all watercraft in state; supplemental to federal laws and regulations.

The provisions of this act shall be applicable to all watercraft operating on all of the waterways of this state. The provisions of this act shall be construed to supplement federal laws and regulations when not expressly inconsistent therewith on all waterways where such federal laws and regulations are applicable.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 41-13-203 Careless operation defined.

Any person who operates any watercraft in a careless or heedless manner so as to be indifferent to the person or property of another person, or at a rate of speed greater than will permit him in the exercise of reasonable care to bring the watercraft to a stop within the assured clear distance ahead, is guilty of the crime of careless operation.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 41-13-204 Reckless operation defined.

Any person who shall operate any watercraft in such a manner as to endanger the life or limb, or damage the property of, another person, shall be guilty of the crime of reckless operation.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 41-13-206 Operation of watercraft by intoxicated or drugged person prohibited.

(a) As used in this section: (i) "Alcohol concentration" means as defined in W.S. 31-5-233(a)(i); (ii) "Controlled substance" includes: (A) Any drug or substance defined by W.S. 35-7-1002(a)(iv); (B) Any glue, aerosol or other toxic vapor which when intentionally inhaled or sniffed results in impairment of an individual's ability to safely operate a watercraft. (b) No owner of any watercraft or person having charge or control of a watercraft shall authorize or knowingly permit it to be operated by any person who is under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance or combination thereof in violation of subsection (c) of this section. (c) No person shall operate or be in actual physical control of a watercraft if the person: (i) To a degree which renders him incapable of safely operating a watercraft: (A) Is under the influence of alcohol; (B) Is under the influence of a controlled substance; or (C) Is under the influence of a combination of the elements named in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of this paragraph. (ii) Has an alcohol concentration of eight one-hundredths of one percent (0.08%) or more if the watercraft is a motorboat. (iii) Repealed by Laws 2020, ch. 87, § 3. (d) In any criminal prosecution for a violation of this section relating to operating or being in actual physical control of a watercraft while under the influence of alcohol, the amount of alcohol in the defendant's blood at the time alleged as shown by chemical analysis of the defendant's blood, urine, breath or other bodily substance shall give rise to the following presumptions: (i) If there was at that time an alcohol concentration of five one-hundredths of one percent (0.05%) or less, it shall be presumed that the defendant was not under the influence of alcohol; (ii) If there was at that time an alcohol concentration of more than five one-hundredths of one percent (0.05%) and less than eight one-hundredths of one percent (0.08%) if the watercraft is a motorboat, that fact shall not give rise to any presumption that the defendant was or was not under the influence of alcohol, but it may be considered with other competent evidence in determining the guilt or innocence of the defendant. (e) Nothing in subsection (d) of this section shall be construed as limiting the introduction of any other competent evidence bearing upon the question of whether or not the defendant was under the influence of alcohol. The fact that any person charged with a violation of subsection (c) of this section is or has been entitled to use the controlled substance under the laws of this state shall not constitute a defense against any charge under this section. It is an affirmative defense to a violation of paragraph (c)(iii) of this section that the defendant consumed a sufficient quantity of alcohol after the time of actual operation or physical control of a watercraft and before the administration of the evidentiary test to cause the defendant's alcohol concentration to exceed eight one-hundredths of one percent (0.08%) if the watercraft is a motorboat, but evidence of the consumption may not be admitted unless notice is given to the prosecution pursuant to Rule 12.1 of the Wyoming Rules of Criminal Procedure. (f) Repealed by Laws 1989, ch. 119, § 3. (g) Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize a violation of the Wyoming controlled substances act.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 41-13-207 Operation of watercraft by person under disability prohibited.

It shall be unlawful for the owner of any watercraft or any person having such in charge or in control to authorize or knowingly permit the same to be operated by any person who by reason of physical or mental disability is incapable of operating such watercraft under the prevailing circumstances.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 41-13-208 Overloading prohibited.

Watercraft shall not be loaded with passengers or cargo beyond its safe carrying capacity as stated on the capacity plate and affixed to the watercraft by the manufacturer, taking into consideration weather and other existing operating conditions. Capacity plates shall not be removed or altered.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 41-13-209 Overpowered watercraft prohibited; horsepower rating plates; mufflers required.

(a) No watercraft shall be equipped with any motor or other propulsion machinery that has a horsepower rating exceeding the maximum stated on the capacity plate approved and issued by the United States coast guard and affixed to the watercraft by the manufacturer. (b) Motorboats shall be equipped, maintained and operated to prevent excessive or unusually loud noise and shall at all times be equipped with a muffler or shall use another method of noise suppression in good working order and in constant operation. No person shall operate or allow the operation of any motorboat equipped with an altered muffler or muffler cutout, bypass or other devise designed or installed to continually or intermittently bypass or otherwise reduce or eliminate the effectiveness of any muffler or muffler system. (c) Subsection (b) of this section shall not apply to motorboats competing in or while on trials of an approved race or regatta nor in areas designated by the game and fish department.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 41-13-210 Riding on gunwales or bow decking prohibited; exceptions.

No person operating a motorboat shall allow any person to ride or sit on either the starboard or port gunwales thereof or on the decking over the bow of the vessel while underway unless such motorboat is provided with adequate guards or railing to prevent passengers from being lost overboard. Nothing in this section shall be construed to mean that passengers or other persons aboard a motorboat cannot occupy the decking over the bow of the boat to moor the watercraft to a mooring buoy or to cast off from such a buoy, or for any other necessary purpose.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 41-13-211 Buoys and markers; operation in marked restricted areas prohibited; exceptions.

(a) The commission shall regulate the type and use of watercraft on the waters of the state and the placement of buoys, markers or regulatory signs necessary to provide for the safety and welfare of the public. Watercraft operators shall operate watercraft in accordance with restrictions and regulations specified on the buoys, markers or signs. No waterway marker regulating watercraft use shall be placed on, in or near the waters of the state unless approval has been obtained in accordance with commission regulations. (b) No person shall operate a watercraft on any water or within a water area which has been designated in accordance with commission regulation as a restricted area. This section does not apply in the case of an emergency, or to patrol or rescue craft. (c) No person shall tie-off, moor or attach any watercraft to any regulatory buoy or waterway marking device.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 41-13-212 Motorboat pulling skier to be occupied by at least 2 persons; hours of operation; use of care; exceptions.

(a) No motorboat which shall have in tow or shall be otherwise assisting a person on water skis, aquaplane or similar contrivance, shall be operated or propelled in or upon any waterway, unless such motorboat shall be occupied by at least two (2) persons. Provided, that this subsection shall not apply to motorboats used by representatives of duly constituted water ski schools in the giving of instruction, or to motorboats used in duly authorized water ski tournaments, competitions, expositions, or trials therefor, or to any motorboat equipped with a wide angle rear view mirror. (b) No motorboat shall have in tow or shall otherwise be assisting a person on water skis, aquaplane or similar contrivance from the period of one (1) hour after sunset to one (1) hour prior to sunrise. Provided, that this subsection shall not apply to motorboats used in duly authorized water ski tournaments, competitions, expositions, or trials therefor. (c) All motorboats having in tow or otherwise assisting a person on water skis, aquaplane or similar contrivance, shall be operated in a careful and prudent manner at a reasonable distance from persons and property so as not to endanger the life or property of any person. (d) No person shall operate or manipulate any vessel, tow rope or other device by which the direction or location of water skis, aquaplane, or similar device may be affected or controlled in such a way as to cause the water skis, aquaplane, or similar device, or any person thereon to collide with or strike against any person or object, other than a jumping ramp or in conjunction with skiing over a slalom course. (e) The person required to be in a motorboat under subsection (a) of this section who is not operating the motorboat shall: (i) Continuously observe the person being towed.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 41-13-213 Safety equipment required.

All watercraft shall carry or be equipped with safety equipment as prescribed by commission regulation. The commission may also require every person riding on watercraft operating on specified waters to wear commission approved safety equipment.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 41-13-215 Enforcement.

(a) The game and fish department law enforcement officers and any other peace officers of the state or any of its political subdivisions otherwise authorized by law may enforce this act and rules and regulations of the commission. (b) For purposes of this section, any game and fish department law enforcement officer and any other peace officer may: (i) Stop, halt, inspect or board any watercraft; (ii) If there is probable cause to believe a watercraft and associated trailer are stolen, seize the watercraft and associated trailer. A defaced, altered, removed or destroyed vessel hull identification number (HIN) is prima facia evidence that the watercraft and trailer are stolen.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 41-13-216 Penalties for violations; suspension of privilege to operate; operating while privilege suspended.

(a) Any person who violates or fails to comply with W.S. 41-13-207 through 41-13-212, 41-13-219 or 41-13-220(b) is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than two hundred dollars ($200.00), imprisonment for not more than thirty (30) days, or both, and may be refused the privilege of operating any watercraft on any of the waterways of this state for not more than two (2) years. Any person who violates W.S. 41-13-105, 41-13-111(a) or (b), 41-13-203, 41-13-204, 41-13-206 or 41-13-220(a) is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, or both, and may be refused the privilege of operating any watercraft on any of the waterways of this state for not more than two (2) years. (b) Any person who violates or fails to comply with any provision of this act for which no separate penalty is provided or a valid rule or regulation of the commission is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars ($100.00). (c) Any person who operates any watercraft during the period when he has been denied this privilege under subsection (a) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined not more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), imprisoned not more than six (6) months, or both, and may be refused the privilege of operating any watercraft on any of the waterways of this state for not more than two (2) years.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 41-13-217 Races or regattas.

The commission may regulate the holding of regattas, motorboat or other boat races, marine parades, tournaments or exhibitions. It shall adopt regulations concerning the safety of motorboats and other vessels and persons thereon, either observers or participants. Whenever a regatta, motorboat or other boat race, tournament or exhibition is proposed to be held, the person in charge, at least thirty (30) days prior thereto, shall file an application with the department for permission to hold the regatta, motorboat or other boat race, marine events, tournament or exhibition. The application shall set forth the date, time and location of the proposed event and such other information as the commission may by regulation require.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 41-13-218 Regulations.

The commission shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this act.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 41-13-219 Age of operator of motorboat.

No person shall operate or be in actual physical control of a motorboat required to be numbered on the waters in this state unless he is at least sixteen (16) years of age or is accompanied by an adult. No person shall knowingly permit the operation of a numbered motorboat on the waters of this state by a person under sixteen (16) years of age who is not accompanied by an adult.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 41-13-220 Eluding an officer; emergency watercraft equipment restricted.

(a) Any person operating a watercraft shall upon observing a visual or hearing an audible signal from a law enforcement officer enforcing this act and rules and regulations of the commission, bring the watercraft to an immediate stop. No person, after observing a visual or hearing an audible signal from a law enforcement officer enforcing this act and rules and regulations of the commission, shall attempt to elude a law enforcement officer by watercraft or any other means. (b) Red or blue rotating or flashing lights shall not be displayed and sirens shall not be used on watercraft except as authorized for watercraft operated or used by law enforcement and emergency watercraft.
Source: Public.Resource.Org WY StatutesURL: https://unicourt.github.io/cic-code-wy/transforms/wy/ocwy/r78/gov.wy.code.title.41.htmlFetched: 6/28/2026

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