(a) The entire water area as described in section 69.01 is designated as a speed zone in which no person, except a public officer in performance of his duty, shall operate a vessel or cause it to be operated at a speed that is not reasonable or prudent, having due regard for other vessels, property, and persons on said waters, and visibility and weather conditions prevailing at that time.
(b) The prima facie speed limit in all areas to which this article applies is eight (8) nautical miles per hour unless posted differently by the authority of the Director, in which event said posted speed shall be the prima facie speed limit.
(c) No person shall operate a vessel in such a manner that the speed thereof creates an unnecessary or excessive wake.
(d) No person shall operate or permit to be operated a motor vessel at any speed, while any person on board shall be positioned in such a manner as to endanger said person.
(e) No person shall operate a vessel at a speed which shows a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.
This section shall not apply to any vessel operator participating as a contestant or in an authorized capacity in a race, regatta, demonstration, exhibition, or other special event conducted pursuant to the terms and conditions of a permit granted by the Director.