Ind. Code ch. 14-15-2

Ind. Code ch. 14-15-2
in effect

Ind. Code § 14-15-2-1 Unlawful operation without proper equipment

Sec. 1. A person may not operate a motorboat upon public water if the motorboat is not equipped with the equipment required by this chapter. The equipment must be: (1) in good repair and operating condition; and (2) ready for use; at all times. [Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 14-1-1-3.] As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.8.

Ind. Code § 14-15-2-2 Bilge ventilators

Sec. 2. The following must be equipped with at least two (2) bilge ventilators fitted with cowls, or the equivalent, and designed and constructed to permit the safe diffusion into the air of all inflammable or explosive gases: (1) An inboard motorboat that uses motor fuel having a flash point of not more than one hundred ten degrees (110°) Fahrenheit, as determined by a tagliabue or equivalent closed cup test device. (2) The greater part of the bilge of a motorboat that is not at all times open and exposed to the air. [Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 14-1-1-4.] As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.8.

Ind. Code § 14-15-2-3 Carburetor backfire arrest device

Sec. 3. The carburetor on an inboard motorboat must be equipped with a stock factory device: (1) designed and constructed to arrest backfire; and (2) of a make or type approved by the United States Coast Guard. [Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 14-1-1-5.] As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.8.

Ind. Code § 14-15-2-4 Repealed

[Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 14-1-1-6 part.] As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.195-2014, SEC.2. Repealed by P.L.94-2026, SEC.62.

Ind. Code § 14-15-2-5 Repealed

[Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 14-1-1-6 part.] As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.8. Repealed by P.L.94-2026, SEC.63.

Ind. Code § 14-15-2-6 Personal flotation devices

Sec. 6. (a) This section does not apply to the following: (1) A sailboard or windsurfing board. (2) A manually propelled boat, such as a racing shell, rowing scull, or racing kayak: (A) that is recognized by national or international racing associations for use in competitive racing; (B) in which all occupants row, scull, or paddle, with the exception of a coxswain if a coxswain is provided; and (C) that is designed to carry and carries equipment only for competitive racing. (b) All boats must be equipped with the number and type of personal flotation devices listed in this subsection. A person may not operate a boat unless the boat contains: (1) for each person on board, one (1) personal flotation device that meets the requirements for designation by the United States Coast Guard as a wearable personal flotation device; and (2) for a boat, except a canoe or kayak, at least sixteen (16) feet in length and in addition to the requirements of subdivision (1), one (1) personal flotation device that meets the requirements for designation by the United States Coast Guard as a throwable personal flotation device. (c) The director may waive the requirements of this section for a boat during competition in a boat race for which a permit has been issued by the department if the following conditions are met: (1) The sponsor of the boat race has informed the director of the precautions the sponsor will take to minimize the safety hazards that exist due to noncompliance with the requirements of this section. (2) The sponsor files with the director a document under which the sponsor assumes all liability that may result from the use of a boat under the waiver. [Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 14-1-1-7(a), (c), (d).] As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.38-2000, SEC.2; P.L.24-2001, SEC.1; P.L.111-2016, SEC.9.

Ind. Code § 14-15-2-7 Holding tanks; sewage disposal

Sec. 7. (a) As used in this section, "sewage" means human body wastes. (b) A person may not keep, maintain, or operate upon public water a boat that is equipped with a water closet or toilet unless the water closet or toilet is equipped with a holding tank with the capacity to store wastes for subsequent disposal at: (1) an approved shoreside facility or incinerator; or (2) a treatment system approved by the department of environmental management according to rules adopted by the environmental rules board. (c) A person may not dispose of sewage accumulated in a holding tank or any other container on a watercraft in a manner that the sewage reaches or may reach public waters, except through a sewage disposal facility approved by the department of environmental management according to rules adopted by the environmental rules board. [Pre-1995 Recodification Citations: 14-1-1-1 part; 14-1-1-8.] As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.113-2014, SEC.95.

Ind. Code § 14-15-2-8 Littering

Sec. 8. (a) As used in this section, "litter" means bottles, glass, crockery, cans, scrap metal, junk, paper, garbage, rubbish, plastic, or similar refuse. (b) In the operation or use of watercraft, a person may not throw, dump, place, deposit, or cause or permit to be thrown, dumped, placed, or deposited: (1) any litter, filth, or putrid or unwholesome substance; or (2) the contents of a water closet or toilet, catch basin, or grease trap; in or upon public water or the banks of public water. [Pre-1995 Recodification Citations: 14-1-1-1 part; 14-1-1-9.] As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.8.

Ind. Code § 14-15-2-9 Gas or flammable liquids

Sec. 9. (a) This section does not apply to motor fuel or fuel used in pocket cigarette, cigar, or pipe lighters. (b) A person may not carry in a boat that is: (1) kept, maintained, or operated upon public water; and (2) used to carry passengers for hire; gas, liquefied gas, or an inflammable liquid capable of being used for cooking, heating, or lighting. [Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 14-1-1-10.] As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.8.

Ind. Code § 14-15-2-10 Lights

Sec. 10. (a) A person may not operate a boat upon public water during the period between sunset and sunrise that is not equipped with a light required by: (1) 33 CFR 83; and (2) this chapter. (b) The light required by subsection (a) must be: (1) in good repair and operating condition; and (2) displayed and lighted or burning except as otherwise permitted. [Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 14-1-1-11.] As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.127-2022, SEC.17.

Ind. Code § 14-15-2-11 Repealed

[Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 14-1-1-12.] As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.8. Repealed by P.L.127-2022, SEC.18.

Ind. Code § 14-15-2-12 Repealed

[Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 14-1-1-13.] As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.39-2018, SEC.5. Repealed by P.L.127-2022, SEC.19.

Ind. Code § 14-15-2-13 Requirements for lights

Sec. 13. (a) Except as provided in subsection (c), this section applies to sailing vessels at least seven (7) meters in length. (b) A sailing vessel described under subsection (a) must be equipped with lights as required by 33 CFR 83.25. (c) A sailing vessel: (1) less than seven (7) meters in length; or (2) powered by oars; may be equipped with lights as permitted under 33 CFR 83.25. [Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 14-1-1-14.] As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.94-2026, SEC.64.

Ind. Code § 14-15-2-13.5 Requirement for engine cut-off switch

Sec. 13.5. As required by the United States Coast Guard under 46 U.S.C. 4312, a vessel must be equipped with an engine cut-off switch. As added by P.L.94-2026, SEC.65.

Ind. Code § 14-15-2-14 Repealed

[Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 14-1-1-62.] As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.8. Repealed by P.L.127-2022, SEC.20.

Ind. Code § 14-15-2-15 Violations

Sec. 15. (a) A person who violates section 1, 2, 3, 6, 7(b), 9, 10, or 13 of this chapter commits a Class C infraction. (b) A person who violates section 7(c) or 8 of this chapter commits a Class A infraction. Notwithstanding IC 34-28-5-4(a), a judgment of at least one thousand dollars ($1,000) shall be imposed for each Class A infraction committed in violation of section 7(c) or 8 of this chapter. [Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 14-1-1-59 part.] As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.137-2007, SEC.32; P.L.195-2014, SEC.3; P.L.111-2016, SEC.10; P.L.127-2022, SEC.21; P.L.94-2026, SEC.67.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/14Fetched: 10/17/2026

Starting a business in Indiana? Indiana LLC guide: costs and requirements