Enforcement

In 1959, the Minnesota Legislature passed the Boat and Water Safety Act. This was in response to the nearly 100 boating and water related fatalities that occurred annually in the state. This legislation assigned the responsibility for enforcing the law to the county sheriff.

Boating fatalities fell from 150 in 1959 to 12 in 2008 (the last year of data). At the same time, the number of boats in the state increased ten times, and the population has more than doubled. There is no doubt that the law has saved lives.

So when the Sheriff's Patrol Boat approaches you, remember, we are just trying to make the waterways safe for you and your family.  We don't want your boating adventure to become a boating tragedy!

Things you need to know:

• Lake Minnetonka has the highest boating density of any lake in the state. It also has stricter regulations. Download the LMCD Ordinance booklet for more information or get one at the Water Patrol headquarters or most landings on the lake. For more information specifically about the Water Patrol's activity on Lake Minnetonka, go to http://minnetonka.waterpatrol.org

• Local communities have the right set stricter laws for bodies of water within their jurisdiction. It is up to you to check these local ordinances before venturing out. We have compiled a list of the most common local ordinances.

• The rivers of the county fall under the jurisdiction of multiple agencies. In addition to the Hennepin County Water Patrol, other counties have jurisdiction where the rivers border their counties. The US Coast Guard patrols the Mississippi and Minnesota River, and the Minnesota DNR also has an active presence.

• Make sure you have all the proper equipment and that it is in working order. Most citations are issued for equipment violations.

• The Hennepin County Water Patrol strictly enforces Boating While Intoxicated (BWI) laws. These laws have gotten stricter in the past few years, and a BWI conviction can affect your driving record.