SEC. 69.04. TRAFFIC CONTROL AUTHORITY.

   All traffic control markers, signs, notices, signals, buoys, or navigation control devices shall be installed only upon the authority of the Director and the Director is hereby authorized to install such permanent or temporary traffic control markers, signs, notices, signals, buoys, or navigation control devices as the Director may deem necessary for the protection of persons and property within the entrance channel, or to regulate traffic during, and after any race, regatta, parade or special event being held in said channel or in any portion thereof. No person shall install any marker unless so authorized, except to mark a sunken or disabled craft or other hazard to navigation as set forth in section 69.17 hereafter. It shall be unlawful to willfully fail to obey any such marker, sign notice, signal, buoy, or navigation control device.

SEC. 69.05. BASIC SPEED LAW.

   (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 the public officer’s 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.

SEC. 69.06. PERMITS FOR RACES AND SPECIAL EVENTS.

   It shall be unlawful for any person to engage or participate in a boat race, regatta, demonstration, exhibition, or other special event unless so authorized by permit of the Director.

SEC. 69.07. REVERSE GEARS.

   It shall be unlawful for any person to operate on the waters of the entrance channel any power or motor-driven vessel that does not have a reverse gear or the means to reverse and stop the vessel, except when participating as a contestant in a race, regatta, demonstration, exhibition, or other special event which has been authorized by the Director.