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ORDINANCE NO. 5D1!
AN ORDINANCE of the City Council of the City of
Bremerton, Washington, amending Chapter 13.08 of the
Bremerton Municipal Code entitled "Watercraft on Kitsap Lake".
WHEREAS, increased boating and personal watercraft usage on Kitsap Lake has
created safety and noise level issues having a negative impact on recreational users and adjacent
residents; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to update the provisions of Chapter 13.08 of
the Bremerton Municipal Code relating to vessel length, exhaust systems and the approval of
race and regatta applications; NOW THEREFORE,
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BREMERTON, WASHINGTON,
DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION]' Chapter 13.08 ofthe Bremerton Municipal Code entitled
"Watercraft on Kitsap Lake" is hereby amended to read as follows:
Chapter 13.08
"TATERCRA,.FTRECREATIONAL VESSELS ON KITSAP LAKE
13.08.010 DEFINITIONS.
As used in this chapter the following terms shall have the meaning ascribed to them by
this section:
(+~) "VlatercraftVessel" means any contrivance, excluding aircraft other than aircraft,
used or capable of being used as a means of transportation or recreation on water, including
model craft, powered by an internal or external engine and personal watercraft. However, itdoes
not include inner tubes, air mattresses, sailboards, and small rafts and floatation devices or toys
customarilv used by swimmers.-:-
(Q} "Personal Watercraft" means a watercraft of less than sixteen feet that uses a
motor powering a water iet pump as its primary source of motive power and that is designed to
be operated by a person sitting, standing, or kneeling on, or being towed behind the watercraft,
rather than in the conventional manner of sitting or standing inside the watercraft.
(~.Q) "Sunrise/Sunset" shall be defined as that prescribed for sumise/sunset in Kitsap
County by the Director of the Nautical Almanac at the United States Observatory at Washington,
D.C.
(;;'4) "Aquatic event" or "Regatta" means any organized water event of limited duration
which is sanctioned by duly constituted authority and which is conducted according to a
prearranged schedule and in which general public interest is manifested.
(4~) "Diver's flag" means a flag that is nationally recognized as being a diver's flag.
(.);[) "Scuba diving" shall mean that an individual utilizes a self-contained underwater
breathing apparatus while swimming underwater.
(eg) "Water Ski" means all forms, manners, means or contrivances of pets on or
persons being towed behind a v/utercraftvessel.
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Watercraft on Kitsap Lake
('7h) "Buoy" means a float, colored, moored in such a manner as to designate a definite
channel or guide for navigation. Said "buoy" to be of sufficient size to be readily seen from a
minimum distance of 100 yards from a moving v/atercraftvessel.
13.08.020 MANNER OF OPERATION.
(a) It is unlawful to operate a '.vatercraftvessel in a negligent manner or manipulate
any vessel, water skis, surfboard, or similar device in a disorderly, grossly indifferent or
negligent manner so as to endanger the life, limb or property of any person.
(b) It is unlawful to operate a \vutercraftvessel for the towing of water skiers without
the presence of another responsible person other than the operator of the emftvessel. Skiers shall
be towed in a safe manner in a counter -clockwise rotation.
(c) No person shall operate a watercraftvessel at a speed greater than is reasonable
and proper under the conditions at the time and place of operation. Factors that may be
considered so as to prevent unreasonably endangering persons or property or other rights of any
person entitled to the use of such '.vaters, and freedom from obstruction to view ahead. In no case
shall speeds exceed 45 m.p.h.
(d) A no wake zone shall be established along the perimeter of the lake and will be
marked by buoys at a minimum 200 lineal feet from shore, unless reduced for safety
considerations by the Parks Director. At the south end of the lake, buoys will be placed at a
reasonable distance from vegetation at the discretion of the Parks Director.
(e) It shall be unlawful to operate a watercraftvessel within the no wake zone in
excess of "no wake speed"any manner causing a wake, provided, however, that this limitation
shall not apply to wutercraftvessel operators pulling waterskiers for takeoff and landing at an
angle no less than forty-five (45) degrees from the shoreline where executed with due care.
These speed restrictions will not apply to emergency vessels, enforcement vessels, regattas,
races, or aquatic events approved through the procedures set forth in this Chapter.
(ei) It is unlawful for any person to operate any vessel or watercraft or manipulate any
water skis, surfboard, or similar device while:
(1) Having a 0.M08 percent or more by weight of alcohol content in their
blood as shown by chemical analysis oftheir breath, blood, or other bodily substance made
under RCW 46.61.50679A.60.040, as now or hereafter amended; or
(2) Being under the influence of or affected by intoxicating liquor or any
drug; or
(3) Being under the combined influence of or affected by intoxicating liquor
and arty drug.
A violation of this subsection shall be a misdemeanor punishable as provided in
BMC 1.12.020.
(fg) It is unlawful for the owner of any vlatercraftvessel or any person having such
watercraftvessel in his or her charge or control, to authorize or knowingly permit the same to be
operated by any person who is under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug.
(gh) It shall be unlawful for any person owning or in charge of a v/atercraftvessel to
'knowingly authorize the same to be operated by any person who, by reason of a physical or
mental disability would be incapable of safely operating such watercraftvessel.
(hi) \VatercraftVessels operating between sunset and 8:00 a.m. shall not operate in any
manner causing a wakebe limited to no wake speed. Provided, however, this limitation shall not
apply to emergency vessels or enforcement vessels.
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Watercraft on Kitsap Lake
These hours of operation shall be reviewed annually by the Parks and Recreation Board
and recommended amendments, if any, referred to the City Council.
(ii) \VatercraftVessels must raise a ski observer flag after a person being towed by the
vessel falls. when pulling skiers.
13.08.Q30 VIOLATIONS
Except as otherwise provided, violations ofthis Chapter are civil infractions pursuant to
BMC 1.12.020.
13.08.0~~0 NOISE CONTROL/EXHAUST.
'Watorcraft must comply ','/ith ',V"^..C 173.70 and shall be enforced by '\lAC 173.58. No
vessel shall be operated upon Kitsap Lake unless it has an underwater exhaust system. Thisese
provision~ shall not apply to watercraftvessels actually competing in an authorized race or
regatta or authorized testing for that race or regatta.
13.08.050 SIZE LIMITATION.
The maximum allowable length for vessels upon Kitsap Lake shall be Twenty-Five (25)
feet. Vessel measurement shall be from the tip of the bow to the stem of the vessel down the
centerline but not including boomkins, swim ladders, outboard engines, outdrives, or other
extremities. This provision shall not apply to vessels actually competing in an authorized race or
regatta or authorized testing for that race or regatta.
13.08.04,Q0 SAFETY RULES AND REGULATIONS BY REFERENCE.
All watercraftvessels operated and used upon waters of the City of Bremerton shall, in all
respects, conform to the requirements of Washington s~tate law, including, but not limited to,
RCW 79A.60.
13.08.0Sl0 SCUBA DIVING.
Persons engaging in scuba diving shall mark the water areas where such operations are
being conducted with "divers flags" of sufficient size so that they may be seen at a distance of
not less than one hundred yards under normal visibility conditions; provided, that where "scuba
diving" operations are conducted between the hours of sunset and sunrise, artificially illuminated
marker "buoys" shall be provided which are visible at a distance of not less than one hundred
yards under normal visibility conditions. "Scuba diving" shall not be conducted so as to
unreasonably interfere with normal operation~ ofvlatercraftvessels.
13.08.0(}~O DUTY TO OBEY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.
(+~) Any person operating a watercraftvessel requested or signaled to stop by a law
enforcement officer has a duty to stop. The signal given by the-Iaw enforcement may be hand,
voice, emergency light or siren.
(2-Q) No person shall willfully fail or refuse to comply with any lawful order or
direction of any duly authorized law enforcement officer.
(J9) Any person requested to identify himself to a law enforcement officer pursuant to
an investigation of a violation of this chapter has a duty to identify himself, give his current
address, and sign an acknowledgement of receipt of the notice of violation.
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Watercraft on Kitsap Lake
13.08.0+~O REPORTING OF ACCIDENT~.
Any person who operates ~ wutercraftvessel and collides with the property of another,
and causes damage of $500.00 or more shall, within twenty-four hours, report such collision to
the Bremerton Police Department. Any persons who operate~ watcrcraftvessel and collide~
with any other watcrcraftvessel thereby causing any personal injury to a person other than him or
herself, shall immediately report the incident to the Bremerton Police Department.
13.08.a8~noo REGATTAS, RACES OR AQUATIC EVENTS - APPLICATIONS.
Applications for regattas, races, or aquatic events shall be submitted under the conditions
set forth in this Section.
(+~) Submission of Application. An individual or organization planning to hold a
regatta, race, or aquatic event which, by its nature, circumstance, or location may introduce extra
or unusual hazards to the safety or life on the waters of Kit sap Lake, shall submit an application
to the City Clerk.
(~Q) Applications shall be submitted on forms provided by the City Clerk and shall be
submitted no less than ninety (90) days prior to the start of said event and, in any case, not later
than the first day ofthe month of May ofthe year of the event provided, however, the City
Council may waive this time requirement for a written application received prior to the effective
date of this Section, so long as a formal City application is submitted by June 15th and at least
two (2) weeks prior to the event. Each application shall be accompanied by a permit of $150.00
to be paid to the City Clerk along with the application.
(~.Q) The application shall include the following details:
(al) The name and address of the sponsoring organization;
(172) The name, address and telephone number of the person or persons in
charge of the event;
(eJ) Nature and purpose of the event;
(d.1) Information as to general interests;
(e~) Estimated number and types ofwutercraftvessels participating;
(fQ) Estimated number of spectator v/utercraftvessels;
(g1) Estimated number of persons, participants and all others;
(ft~) Minimum number ofOOatsvessels and persons being furnished by
sponsoring organization to patrol the event;
(i2) A time schedule and description of events;
(jl0) A section ofa chart or scale drawing showing the boundaries of the event,
various water courses or parking areas and. areas to be utilized by participants, officials and
spectators;
(kID A certificate of insurance showing that the applicant has obtained public
liability and property damage insurance for the payment of all damages which may be caused
either to person or persons, or to property, by reason of said event and to ensure that the
requirements for markers, rescue equipment, or other safety conditions stated in the application
finally approved as actually provided.
The insurance policy required pursuant to this section shall name the City as an additional
insured and the City shall be notified by the insurer at least twenty (20) days prior to any
cancellation of the insurance. The insurance policy shall also contain a standard form cross-
liability endorsement. Such insurance shall contain a minimum coverage of $500,000.00 per
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Watercraft on Kitsap Lake
occurrence; provided, however, that in the event the applicant desires to have a hydroplane race,
the minimum coverage shall be $1,000,000.00 per occurrence.
(44) A $1,000.00 performance bond, or $1,000.00 cash deposit, shall be posted by the
applicant to ensure that the aforementioned conditions ofthe application and permit are followed
by the applicant. Following the conclusion of the event said $1,000.00 performance bond, or
cash deposit, shall be refunded if all conditions have been performed to the satisfaction of the
City.
(~~) Upon receiving an application to hold a regatta, race or aquatic event, the City
Clerk's office shall forward the application to the police department, fire department, risk
manager, and the parks department.
(6f) The fire department will make the following determinations, in writing, and send
said determinations to the parks department superintendent.
(aD Whether the proposed regatta, race or aquatic event may be held on Kitsap
Lake safely or whether the interest of safety of life or property requires changes in the
application before it can be approved;
(b2) The extent of paramedic services shall be determined by the fire chief;
(eJ) Whether rescue boats are needed and, if so, the humber of required rescue
boats; provided, however, that at least two rescue boats positioned as determined by the fire chief
shall be required for hydroplane races. The equipment, boats and manpower for these rescue
boats shall comply with all applicable state and federal laws, and shall be provided by the
applicant; provided, that the applicant will allow Bremerton police and fire personnel to ride in
the boats as directed by the fire chief. The rescue boats shall be equipped with fire protection
equipment determined necessary by the fire chief.
(-7g) The police department will make the following determinations and will send such
determinations to the parks department in writing:
(aD Whether the proposed regatta, race or aquatic event may be held on Kitsap
Lake safely or whether the interest of safety of life or property requires changes in the
application before it can be approved.
(b2) Whether closure of the lake or a portion thereof is warranted and steps
needed to be taken by the applicant in the way of buoys or shore barriers to protect the public;
provided, that the parks department will be responsible for posting the closure or partial closure
of the lake at least thirty (30) days prior to the designated event and for notifying the F.A.A. of
the lake's closure.
(eJ.) The amount of law enforcement and manpower supplied by the applicant
needed to enforce closure or partial closure of the lake, to include required traffic control in the
immediate area of Kitsap Lake.
(gg) The Risk manager shall determine whether the insurance provided by the
applicant is adequate and will send such determination, in writing, to the parks department.
(9-1) The Parks Department shall communicate the requirements imposed by the fire,
police, parks department, and risk manager to the applicant and shall add these requirements to
the application. The Parks Department shall then forward the application along with these
recommendations to the City Council.
(Wi) The City Council may authorize the approval of uny application subject to the
minimum requiremonts imposed by this section, as well as additional requirements
recommended by the police, fire and parks department, and the risk manager, or they may deny
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Watercraft on Kitsap Lake
the permitIfthe application meets the requirements of this chapter, the Parks Director, or his or
her designee, is authorized to grant the application and issue a permit.
(Uk) If the permit is granted subject to the conditions set forth in subsection 10this
section, the fire~-Bf police or parks department may revoke the permit in the name of the City if,
at any time, the applicant, sponsor, or participant in such event violates any of the conditions
contained in the application.
SECTION 2. Severabilitv. If anyone or more sections, subsections, or
sentences of this ordinance are held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such decision shall not
affect the validity of the remaining portion of this ordinance and the same shall remain in full
force and effect.
SECTION 3. Effective Date. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force ten
(10) days from and after its passage, approval and publication as provided by law.
PASSED by the City Council the ..5::t:AJ
dayof ~.J
,2008
resident
Approved this ~ day of
OZEMAN, Mayor
ATTEST:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
PUBLISHED the i#J day of ~
EFFECTIVE the .I ~) day of
ORDINANCE NO. S()~/
,2008
,2008
R:\Legal\Legal\Ordinances\Parks\2007 Watercraft on Kitsap Lake.doc
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Watercraft on Kitsap Lake
AFFIDAVIT OF PUBLICATION
Account # 42742 / Ad # 224545
STATE OF WASHINGTON
COUNTY OF KITSAP
I, Christy Moffitt, being first duly sworn on oath, deposes and says: That she is now, and at all times
embraced in the publication herein mentioned was the principal clerk of the printers and publishers of
KITSAP SUN; that said newspaper has been approved as a legal newspaper by order of the Superior Court
of the County of Kitsap, in which County it is published and is now and has been for more than six months
prior to the date of the publication hereinafter referred to, published in the English language continually as
a daily newspaper in Bremerton, Kitsap County, Washington, a weekly newspaper in Kitsap County,
Washington and is now and during all of said time, was printed in an office maintained in the aforesaid
place of publication of said newspaper; that the following is a true text of a legal advertisement as it was
published in regular issues (and not in supplement form) of said newspaper on the following date, to wit:
March 8, 2008 and that such newspaper was regularly distributed to its subscribers during all of said period.
That the full amount of the fee charged for the foregoing publication is the sum of $28.45 amount has not
been paid in full.
ORDINANCE NO. 5041
C}t~[)t^t ~~jt
(Signature of Principal Clerk)
Subscribed and swum to befm. m. this day of M."h 17, 2/ '
~#a-~
Notary Public in and for the State of Washington, Kitsap County.
PASSED by the City Council the 5th day of March, 2008.
The full text of this ordinance is available from the City Clerk's Office, 345 Sixth Street, Suite 600,
)3remerton, W A 98337.
March 8, 2008...........................AD #20062647