BOATING AND SWIMMING RULES
Arrowhead Lake Association
PLEASE CHECK THE ALA WEBSITE FOR THE LATEST UPDATES!
1. Launching Boats: Boats may be launched only at approved ALA launching area after inspection.
2. Registration: As boats 12 feet to 26 feet in length must be registered and display current state sticker & number (CF, AZ, etc.) on both sides of bow and ALA sticker on starboard (right) windshield or bow or on sailboats on the starboard side or mast. For boats under 12 feet:
A. No motor of any type on vessel
B. Must be registered by the ALA office.
C. Must stay within 100' of shore.
3. Owner's Responsibility: The boat owner is personally responsible for the safe operation of their boat at all times, including requiring ALA licensing of the operator. No owner of a vessel may rent or lease their vessel to another. No boat shall remain overnight on the lake without being in the boat owner's slip or having a slip rental agreement on file with ALA.
4. Safety Equipment: All boats must have California approved personal flotation devices (PFD) readily available on board for each person on board plus a throwable PFD and all required safety equipment. All children under 12 years of age must wear a PFD (life jacket) at all times while boating. All power boats must also have a California approved and fully charged fire extinguisher readily available on board.
5. Operator's Responsibilities: Operators (drivers) as well as owners are responsible for safe operations, and must:
...Know and follow State and ALA boating laws and rules.
...Obtain an ALA Power Boat Operators License.
...Ensure the safety and proper behavior of their passengers.
...Not exceed the passenger or load limits for the boat.
...Have set of Lake Rules on board.
6. Age Requirements:
A. Driver/Operator: Age 16 or over with a valid state and ALA operator's license.
Exceptions:
1. An operator over the age of 15 with a valid DMV learner's permit may operate a boat, without engaging in water skiing, if they are under the immediate supervision or a person 18 years of age or over who holds a valid stale driver's license and ALA operator's license.
2. An operator over the age of 10 but under the age or 16 who has passed an ALA Safety test, may operate a boat of 9.9 HP or less if the boat does not exceed 12 mph.
Note: It is the responsibility of boat owners and parents to ensure that young drivers comply with all boating laws and rules.
B. Ski Observers: must be at least 12 years of age.
7. Speed Limit: Except for ski club sponsored and ALA patrolled ski races, the speed limits on Lake Arrowhead are:
A. Daytime: from 7 A.M. to Sunset: 35 MPH (See note 1).
B. Night: from Sunset to 7 A.M.: 10 MPH (See note 2).
C. Between Buoy Lines and Shoreline: "No wake" or while water behind boat (MPH).
NOTE 1: Lake Patrol may use radar guns to check boat speed.
NOTE 2: Lake Closing Procedures: Lake Patrol boats will make a circuit of the lake with flashing blue light. Ski boat operators should head toward their intended drop off areas.
Alter this circuit, the patrol will stop all boats without lights on and/or traveling faster than 10 MPH.
8. Prohibited Devices or Activities: The following devices are prohibited in all locations of Lake Arrowhead:
Personal Water Craft
Knee Boards
Any non -registered boat.
Wind Surfers
Scuba Diving
Any towed device except approved skis.
It is illegal to throw or launch objects at vessels.
Note: Non -powered flotation devices and swimming aids may be used only within 100 feet of the shoreline.
9. Night Operations: All boats operating on Lake Arrowhead between sunset and 7 A.M., while underway or stopped, must:
A. Display an operational white stern light.
B. Display operational running lights (red port; green starboard).
C. Not exceed 10 MPH until 7 A.M.
D. No skiing between sunset and 7 A.M.
10. Environmental Considerations:
A. Noise: No boat will operate without mufflers or with excessive noise as defined by Slate Law.
Note: Patrol has decibel meters and state guidelines will be enforced. If conflicting dates on engines and hull, most recent date will apply.
B. Sanitation: No refuse shall be put into the lake or left on the shore. Keep Lake Arrowhead beautiful!
11. Safety Considerations:
A. General:
1. All boats 10 HP or more must have an operational reverse gear.
2. Boat operators must observe the right - of - way, when in doubt, yield.
Note: A sailing vessel has the right - of - way over a power-boat, unless the power boat is being overtaken, then the sailing vessel must keep clear.
3. Do not follow any boat or skier closer than 200 feet.
4. Be Alert to your direction of travel and surroundings.
5. Operators must ensure that they and their passengers remain seated in a seat while underway.
6. Do not tow boats over 15 MPH.
B. Patrol: Follow the instructions of ALA Patrol persons, they will exhibit flashing blue lights or sound the siren to control traffic during sail and ski races, accidents or dangerous situations.
Note: If directed to stop, move free of traffic and stop. Be Courteous.
C. Swimming: is only allowed within 100 feet off shore
D. Fishing: If you are trolling or fishing from a slopped or still boat or tube, you must display a 20"X20" White Flag to protect others from lines and hooks.
E. Direction of Traffic: The traffic pattern for all power-boats on the lake is counter-clockwise. Keep the closest shoreline on your right. Note: You may cross the lake wherever it is safe and you may travel in any direction between the shoreline and the buoy line at slow speed (no wake or "white water") 5 MPH.
F. Accidents: If you have an accident:
1. Ensure the safety of all persons involved (i.e. flotation devices, first aid, etc.)
2. If possible, contact Lake Patrol. They can radio for assistance.
3. As soon as possible, report the accident to the ALA office at North Shore Marina. 337 2595.
G. Sighting A Fallen Skier: Operators must acknowledge the sighting of a fallen skier (s) within 200' of their boat by raising one arm vertically until he/she has passed the downed skiers vessel.
12. Water Ski Operations: In addition to the above regulations the following apply:
A. General
1. No skiing is allowed between sunset and 7 A.M.
2. No more than 2 skiers may be towed at one time.
B. Equipment:
1. Only approved water skis may be used.
2. Tow - ropes must be between 36 and 90 feet long.
3. Skiers must wear approved flotation devices (life jackets).
4. Boats must be equipped with and use a functional rear view mirror.
5. Boats must carry and use a 20"X20" Red Ski Flag on a 30" or longer pole.
6. Engine must be turned off when recovering skiers and any ski equipment.
7. No unattended ski equipment may be left in the lake (i.e. don't drop a ski to ski single or barefoot).
C. Observer: There must be a responsible observer who:
1. Is at least 12 years old.
2. Is in a position to observe the skiers at all times
3. Informs the operator immediately when a skier falls and signals by raising the red flag vertically.
D. Start
1. Do not ski against traffic or in a way to interfere with other boats underway.
2. Do not start to ski with either the boat or skier behind the No Ski Out Buoy.
3. When there is no information buoy present, you may start behind the no
wake buoy line if no boats or swimmers are in danger and if the boat takes the most direct route into the ski pattern.
E. Underway:
1. No more than 2 skiers on equal length lines may be towed at any time.
2. Do not ski within 200 feet of any swimming area, dock or float.
3. Skiers must stay outside buoy line.
4. Do not slalom the buoy line.
5. Do not follow any boat or skier closer than 200 feet in wake.
F. Pickup/Recovery
1. Display the Red Flag at all times skier and/or equipment is in the water.
2. Make sure path is clear before turning.
3. Turn to left, if safe, to pick up skier.
4. Protect your skier from oncoming traffic.
G. Dropping A Skier:
1. Do not drop skier or towline in front of any boat or designated take off areas.
2. Be sure path or skier will be clear.
3. Do not allow the boat to go between buoy line and shoreline.
4. When a clear path is not available, the boat operator must throttle back and drop their skier (s). SPECIAL NOTE: Many operators who are towing a skier have the mistaken impression that they must keep on going no matter what to avoid dropping their skier. This is wrong and is particularly dangerous on Lake Arrowhead due to the numerous bays and congestion.