No person shall operate, or authorize or knowingly permit the operation of, a vessel upon the waters of Lake Michigan or upon any waterway within the city:
(a) in such a manner as to endanger the life or limb, or damage the property, of others; or
(b) in such a careless or heedless manner as to be grossly indifferent to the person or property of others; or
(c) in such a manner as to disturb or destroy the peace and quiet of others; or
(d) within any area which has been marked by buoys or other distinguishing devices as a restricted area, except in case of emergency or for the purpose of entering or leaving any harbor or launching ramp; or
(e) within 150 feet of the shoreline of any public park or within 300 feet of any bathing beach, except in case of emergency or for the purpose of entering or leaving a pier, slip launching or docking area; or
(f) by a person under the age of 16 years unless properly supervised by an adult or as permitted by state law; or
(g) without yielding the right-of-way to any swimmer; or
(h) without complying with all applicable state and federal safety equipment requirements, including the requirements regarding personal flotation devices; or
(i) in violation of posted restrictions on wake or speed; or
(j) unless each occupant of a vessel used for recreational purposes is wearing an approved personal flotation device as defined in the Boat Registration and Safety Act, codified at 625 ILCS 45/1-l et seq., as amended. Provided, however, that this requirement shall not apply to persons who are (1) below deck, or (2) in a totally enclosed cabin space. Provided, further, that this requirement shall not apply to the occupants of (i) any commercial passenger vessel licensed under Chapter 4-250 of this Code, (ii) any vessel used for recreational purposes that is being operated on private property, (iii) any vessel used for recreational purposes that is docked, or (iv) any vessel used for recreational purposes that is 21 feet or more in length. For purposes of this subsection (j), the term "vessel used for recreational purposes" means any watercraft, sailboat, recreational boat, personal watercraft or specialty prop-craft as defined in the Boat Registration and Safety Act, as amended.
Any person who shall violate any provision of this section shall be fined not less than $100.00 nor more than $1,500.00, or imprisoned for not less than ten days nor more than six months, or both, for each offense.
(Prior code § 38-29; Amend Coun. J. 12-10-97, p. 59008; Amend Coun. J. 9-9-09, p. 70529, § 1)