Laws against anchoring in open water overnight

[Five O'Clock]

Are there any laws against anchoring in open water overnight? My guess is that it must vary by state and federal waters, but I thought I heard something in the past that it is illegal. In Massachusetts and/or New Hampshire, I believe it's illegal to anchor overnight in lakes, but possibly not the ocean?

Does anybody know the laws or have any general idea amongest all states?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Laws against anchoring in open water overnight

in most states, it has to be out of the channel, and you must have your anchor light on.

 

[tlynch99]

Re: Laws against anchoring in open water overnight

I am from mass and I did read somewhere that staying on your boat overnight in in-land lakes is illegal. I don't really understand why.... I know it's also illegal in NH, which is strange because of some of the very large lakes they have up there.

 

[Five O'Clock]

Re: Laws against anchoring in open water overnight

well whenever i anchor at night i always stay out of the shipping lanes/channels and keep the anchor light on, but i wasn't sure if its still illegal. i'm in saltwater but as you had said tlynch, i think its illegal in lakes. must be for safety and/or lack of room to navigate. even though there are some gigantic lakes, i guess they dont want to draw a line between which lakes you can anchor over night in, and which ones you cannot.

 

[tommays]

Re: Laws against anchoring in open water overnight

Most of the inland lake stuff is because of the silly few who do things like dump the porta-potty in the lake

 

[Nandy]

Re: Laws against anchoring in open water overnight

In NC you can anchor overnight in a lake. if your vessel is smaller thatn 16 feet and you are in a cove away from the main channel you dont have to have your anchor light on.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Laws against anchoring in open water overnight

California you can not anchor in a channel ever but outside the channel it is ok but must display your white all around anchor light unless it is a general anchorage area which will be on the chart.

Inland lakes and state park lakes most require a camping permit and a boat check to make sure it has a head but sealed pump out port. Port a Potty not allowed. Larger lakes will also have certain area where you can camp. usually off the main lake and up in the coves where will be safe in any wind condition. Also can not move after 10 PM and can not pull up to shore, must anchor off. This is a good idea anyway as when the lake is dropping you do not want to wake up and find you high and dry.

 

[ovrrdrive]

Re: Laws against anchoring in open water overnight

Most of the inland lake stuff is because of the silly few who do things like dump the porta-potty in the lake

That's my understanding of it as well...

There was another thread about it where a guy said the boat had to have a septic tank to spend the night out in fresh water. A portapotty didn't cut it.

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Laws against anchoring in open water overnight

Most of the inland lake stuff is because of the silly few who do things like dump the porta-potty in the lake

In NH, it was driven solely by the lakefront home owners being disturbed by the noise of people anchoring and partying. There's already laws against dumping. That said, there were already laws against disturbing the peace too...

I have anchored overnight on a land-locked section of the CT River in MA. AFAIK, it was not illegal. We certainly weren't alone.

 

[F_R]

Re: Laws against anchoring in open water overnight

I'd say it is obvious that the law is different for every jurisdiction. Some areas have problems with decrepit transient boats and the noise, obstruction of waterfront owner's views, sewage, and on and on. So, everything gets outlawed, from the million dollar yacht to the raft full of bums.

 

[Geo2008]

Re: Laws against anchoring in open water overnight

Most of the inland lake stuff is because of the silly few who do things like dump the porta-potty in the lake

I guess the folks near him would be crappie fishing.