SECTION I:

WATER USE REGULATIONS

A.                 WATER USE DEFINITIONS

1.                  Airboat:  Any watercraft powered by a propeller or fan rotating in the air instead of in the water.

2.                  Aircraft:  A device which can be propelled through the air, manned or unmanned, power powered by an engine, moved by the action of the wind, or suspended by lighter than air gas.

3.                  Cove:  A small bay or bay-like recess in a shoreline, as designated by an official water traffic control device.

4.                  Cuddy Cabin:  A small cabin or enclosure on a watercraft used for housing.

5.                  Dock:  A lake structure made of wood, metal, or other materials, either floating or supported on the lake bottom, which is attached to the lake shore, for the purpose of mooring a watercraft or use of a swimmer.

6.                  Dry Unit Weight:  The manufactured weight as shipped from the factory.

7.                  Flag:  A piece of cloth, attached to a staff or halyard, used as a standard symbol or signal.

8.                  Galley:  A kitchen of a watercraft.

9.                  Horsepower:  The power rating established for an engine by its manufacturer.

10.             Ice Boat:  A sailboat designed to run on ice, using metal runners.

11.             Lake:  The entire body of water known as "Lake Lotawana," and located within the boundaries of the Lake Lotawana Association.

12.             Official Water Traffic Control Devices:  All signs, buoys, markings and devices placed by the Association, for the purpose of regulating, warning or guiding water traffic.

13.             Owner:  A person who has legal title to or sole possession of real property, within the boundaries of the Lake Lotawana Association.

14.             Operator:  A person who drives or is in actual physical control of a watercraft.

15.             Personal Water Craft (PWC):  A class of vessel which is propelled by machinery and which is designed to be operated by a person sitting, standing or kneeling ON the vessel, rather than to be operated by a person sitting, standing or kneeling INSIDE the vessel.

16.             Pontoon Boat:  A deck type watercraft supported by cylindrical flotation chambers.

17.             Power craft:  A watercraft driven by mechanical means.

18.             Renter or Lessee:  A person who rents or leases and who possesses and uses (without ownership) real property within the boundaries of the Lake Lotawana Association.

19.             Right-Of-Way:  The right of one watercraft to proceed in preference to another watercraft.

20.             Sailboat:  A watercraft which is moved by the action of the wind upon the sail or sails, exclusive of any other form of power.

21.             Shoreline Buoy:  An anchored, floating buoy used to define the Slow No-Wake zone along the shoreline.

22.             Single Family:  Any member of the immediate family of the responsible property owner to only include:  grandparent, parent, spouse, child and grandchild.

23.             Slow No-Wake Speed:  The slowest speed at which a watercraft will move through the water while being able to maintain course and create very little or minimal wake.

24.             Watercraft:  A device in which persons or property may be transported upon water, including motorboat, PWC, sailboat, rowboat, canoe, kayak, sail surfboard, paddle boat or any other surface vessel.

25.             Watercraft Owner:  A person who has legal title or bill of sale to a watercraft.

26.             Waterline:  The level to which the surface of water comes on the side of a watercraft at rest.

27.             Water Patrol Officer:  An individual employed or appointed by the Lake Lotawana Association, who holds the authority to enforce, report and make record of violations of the water use regulations of the Lake Lotawana Association.

28.             Water Skier:  A person who shall ride or attempt to ride on water skis, wake board, aquaplane, zip sled, disk, surfboard, air chair, tire tube or any other similar device which is towed behind a motor boat.

29.             Plowing: A power craft moving at a speed that is not upon plane but moving fast enough to make a large wake that causes damage to docks and/or shore line.

B.                REGISTRATION OF WATERCRAFT

1.                  Prior to use on the water, all watercraft on watercraft lifts, docks, lake and common parkways shall be registered with the Lake Lotawana Association by May 1^st of each year.  Its owner, who shall be a property owner, renter or lessee at Lake Lotawana, shall register the watercraft.  The registration shall be in effect for one calendar year.  The registration certificate is a revocable permit, subject to the watercraft owner's compliance with water use rules and regulations.

2.                  RENTAL AGREEMENTS:

When a Rental Agreement is signed, the property owner relinquishes all right to register watercraft to that property.  Renter/Lessee and owner shall complete a Rental Agreement form, in order for the Renter/Lessee to obtain a registration.

3.                  BUILDING RESTRICTIONS:

Watercraft shall not be registered to a lot, unless there is a structure with restroom facilities; this structure must meet city codes.  Watercraft properly registered in 1997 and not complying shall continue to be eligible to the owner of record, as registered in 1997.

4.                  VENDOR PERMITS:

Each Owner/Resident shall obtain a permit from the Lake Lotawana Association, for any Vendor to launch a Non-Owner/Resident boat on the lake, for the sole purpose of working for an Owner/Resident, who requires lakeside service by boat.

5.                  REGISTRATION PROCEDURE:

To obtain a Registration Certificate, the owner, renter or lessee shall do the following:

a.      Complete an annual watercraft registration application

b.      Pay the designated annual fee for each watercraft placed on the lake

c.      Provide proof of ownership of the watercraft with a title, bill of sale or signed statement of watercraft ownership.

d.      Provide proof of liability insurance in the amount of $300,000.00 minimum for each power craft and $100,000.00 minimum for each non-power craft

                                                                                      i.      NOTE:  Umbrella insurance policies are acceptable in conjunction with a base boat or homeowner's policy.  Year, manufacturer and type must be listed on policy.

e.      Provide assurance of adequate mooring/docking space

f.        Pay all annual Association dues and maintenance assessments in full

g.      Provide watercraft for required inspection (unless watercraft has been registered prior to 1996), and

h.      Comply with the following Watercraft Limitations herein.

6.                  WATERCRAFT LIMITATION:

a.      Personal Watercraft (PWC):

a.      Only two PWCs shall be registered per household

b.      Pontoon Boats:

a.      Only one pontoon boat shall be registered per household

b.      28 feet or less in length

c.      Power Boats: 

a.      21 feet or less in length overall

b.      3100 pounds or less in dry unit weight as listed on the manufacturers' website.

c.      Maximum width limits for all boats is 8 feet 6 inches

d.      Bowsprits, pulpits, bolt-on platforms, rudders, outboard motor brackets are not included in the measurement.

7.                  HORSEPOWER LIMITS:

a.      No person shall operate a watercraft, which is equipped with any motor or other propulsion machinery, beyond its safe power capacity, as indicated by its manufacturer's OBC recommended horsepower.

b.      No inboard or inboard/outboard power craft shall exceed 360 cubic inch displacement engines.

c.      No inboard or inboard/outboard powered motorboat shall have a power to weight ratio of less than 1 to 7 (i.e., 1 horsepower to 7 pounds of weight).

d.      No outboard power craft shall have a total horsepower over 150 horsepower.

e.      No outboard power craft shall have a power to weight ratio of less than 1 to 10 (i.e., 1 horsepower to 10 pounds of weight).

8.                  BOAT EXHAUST SYSTEM AND NOISE:

a.      EXHAUST SYSTEM:  Power craft shall vent exhaust below waterline, as observed when boat is at rest.  Outboard engines of production manufacture having through-propeller or lower-unit exhaust are acceptable.  No boat shall have over-the-transom exhaust or through-the-hull exhaust, without having an underwater exhaust-muzzling system locked in the muzzled position.

b.      NOISE:  No power craft shall emit a sound at a level exceeding 85 decibels on an A-weighted scale when measured from a distance of 50 or more feet from the boat.

9.                  TYPES OF WATERCRAFT AND DEVICES PROHIBITED:

a.      Air boats (see Water Use Definitions)

b.      Airborne devices:  a boat shall not pull any airborne device, which rises above the surface of the water (i.e., kite, para sail, parachute).

c.      PWC surfboard type watercraft.

d.      Houseboats:  a boat, which has toilet facilities, sleeping quarters, galley or any combination thereof (Cuddy Cabins are considered sleeping quarters).

e.      Watercraft, which advertise a commercial enterprise or product (watercraft name excluded).

f.        Racing motorboats, as classified by the American Power Boat Association.

g.      The installation of or deployment of any device to increase wake size.

10.             GRANDFATHER CLAUSE:  Watercraft registered in 1988 and not in compliance with the length/horsepower restrictions, shall be grandfathered, and shall continue to be eligible for registration to the owner of record, as registered in 1988.  Sale or transfer of ownership to another lake resident is not permitted.

11.             If a registered watercraft, which is in violation of any of the restrictions, Section I. Limitations, and/or Prohibitions, as listed in Section I, B1 (Registration Regulations) and/or B2 (Registration Regulations), is found operating on Lake Lotawana, the owner of this watercraft shall be given a citation, which shall prohibit the watercraft from use of the lake until compliance with the rule(s) is met.  If the owner refuses to comply, the boat's Registration Certificate shall be revoked.

C.                REGISTRATION REGULATIONS

1.                  A Current Registration Decal shall be displayed on the watercraft before this watercraft may be used on the lake, watercraft lifts, docks, and common parkways (6 pts.).  See Appendix A for placement of decal.  Only current year shall be visible.  All current watercraft not meeting this must be compliant for year 2005 and thereafter (3 pts.).

a.      Temporary Watercraft Permit:  A property owner, renter or lessee shall obtain, at the Association office, a two-hour permit, in order to place a watercraft on the lake, for purposes of testing or demonstrating a watercraft being considered for purchase.  The property owner, renter or lessee shall be the operator of the watercraft.  Failure to obtain a   temporary permit is a violation of rule B2, 1.

2.                  All PWCs shall display two identically numbered decals, supplied by the Association each year at registration (6 pts.).  See Appendix A for placement of decals.

3.                  The lot and block numbers of the registered owner shall be displayed on the watercraft, before this watercraft may be used on the lake.  The letters and numbers shall be contrast in color to the background upon which they are displayed, be a minimum of 3 inches in height, and be visible for at least 75 feet (3 pts.).  See Appendix A for placement of lot and block numbers.

4.                  No property owner, renter or lessee shall place a non-owner or guest watercraft on the lake (6 pts.).

D.                LAUNCHING OF WATERCRAFT

1.                  A launching ramp is located on the easement in the lower parking lot of the Marina Grog and Galley.  This ramp is for the use of property owners who have a current Registration Certificate.  The Association Office and courtesy volunteers, whose names are listed in the Lotawana News, provide the lock's combination.

a.      Each property owner shall secure the lock on the gate after using this ramp (3 pts.).

b.      No watercraft shall be launched into the lake from the parkway, unless specifically permitted by the Association (3 pts.).

E.                 OPERATOR'S REQUIREMENTS

1.                  PROPERTY OWNER:  The property owner, renter or lessee is liable for all violations incurred by their watercraft.  It is the responsibility of the property owner, renter or lessee to inform any non-resident operator of the rules and regulations for watercraft operation.

a.      A non-resident shall operate no watercraft on the lake, unless a member of the family of a property owner, renter or lessee is present with the watercraft (6 pts.).

b.      A property owner, renter or lessee, who is not the owner of a watercraft, but who is the operator of said watercraft, is liable for all violations.

2.                  AGE REQUIREMENTS:

a.      Persons under the age of 16 years shall not operate watercraft with motors which exceed the horsepower set forth in the following schedule:  (3 pts.)

b.      No person under the age of 17 shall operate a PWC, unless they have completed the Missouri Water Patrol Water Safety Class.  No person under the age of 16 shall operate a PWC (6 pts.)

F.                 EQUIPMENT

1.                  PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE (PFD/LIFE PRESERVER:

a.      A life preserver (vest, ski belt, buoyant cushion, ring buoy) is required for each person aboard the watercraft.  Flotation devices shall be in serviceable condition and readily accessible (3 pts.).

b.      Each person on a PWC shall wear a US Coast Guard approved PFD:  Type I, II, III or V (3 pts).

c.      Any person on water skis or similar device (wake board, knee board, tube etc.), shall wear a PFD, designed to withstand the impact of hitting the water at high speed.  (A ski belt is not an acceptable flotation device for skiing) (3 pts.).

d.      Any person under the age of 13, as a passenger or operator of a boat and not under direct adult supervision, shall wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD, Type I, II, III or V (3 pts.).

2.                  FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND VENTILATION:  Motorboats carrying or using fuel or other flammable or toxic fluid in any enclosure of the boat, shall be equipped with a fire extinguisher and an efficient natural or mechanical ventilation system (3 pts.).

3.                  MAXIMUM CAPACITIES:  All power craft manufactured after 1970 should have a maximum capacity plate mounted in a position, so as to be readily visible by the operator.  This plate lists the maximum operating limitations of the vessel in regard to the following:

a.      number of persons allowed onboard; total weight of gear allowed; total combined weight of person and gear allowed; the maximum horse power allowed for motors.  Failure to comply with the maximum capacity rating of the watercraft is negligent operation (6 pts.).

G.                LIGHTING REGULATIONS

1.                  Navigation lights shall be displayed one-half hour after sunset to sunrise and at any time the visibility is such that the watercraft cannot be seen from a distance of 100 yards.

a.      Proper lighting on a power craft and non-motorized watercraft boats, such as canoes and rowboats, consists of a combination of red (port) and green (starboard) light on the bow of the boat and a 360 visible, white light on the stern of the boat (3 pts.).

b.      Sailboats shall illuminate the sail with a white light, which is visible for one mile (3 pts.).

c.      Docking lights (headlights) on watercraft shall only be displayed within 100 feet of shore when approaching a dock or when approaching a stationary watercraft (3 pts.).

d.      A watercraft used for sport fishing, which is anchored or stopped within 100 feet of the shore, is not required to display navigation lights, unless another boat approaches within immediate vicinity of the watercraft, at which time said fishing boat must activate lights in time to avoid a collision (3 pts.).

2.                  SPOTLIGHTS AND SHORE LIGHTS:  Great care shall be exercised in the use of lights on and around the lake so as not to invade the privacy of others.  Shore lights, boathouse lights and/or dock lights shall not be mounted or directed in such a manner, as to present a hazard to boat navigation or in a manner that is objectionable to other residents (3 pts.).

All underwater lighting is not permitted at Lake Lotawana.

H.                NAVIGATION RULES

(Adapted from the Missouri Watercraft Manual, published by the Missouri State Water Patrol)

1.                  ALL POWERCRAFT SHAL PROCEED IN A COUNTER-CLOCKWISE MANNER

2.                  RIGHT OF WAY:  The slower, less maneuverable watercraft has right-of-way over the faster, more maneuverable watercraft (3 pts.).

The right-of-way hierarchy is as follows:

a.      Watercraft not under command (anchored, moored, adrift)

b.      canoes, rowboats, paddle boats, kayaks

c.      sail boats

d.      power craft displaying a red flag or special red/white flag

e.      all other power craft

f.        PWCs

3.                  MEETING HEAD-ON:  When meeting head-on, neither watercraft has the right-of-way and both shall steer to the right, passing to the port side of each watercraft, so as not to pass closer than 50 feet (3 pts.).

4.                  OVERTAKING:  When passing another watercraft from behind (astern), the overtaking watercraft shall keep clear of the watercraft being passed.  The passing watercraft may pass to either side of the overtaken watercraft, as long as it stays at least 50 feet from the other boat (3 pts.).

5.                  WHEN CROSSING THE PATH OF ANOTHER WATERCRAFT, the watercraft on the right (starboard) has the right-of-way.  The crossing watercraft shall steer clear and pass behind (astern) of the right-of-way watercraft.  The crossing watercraft shall do everything possible (stop, slow, even reverse direction), to avoid the right-of-way watercraft.  A watercraft entering the main body from a dock or cove shall yield to a watercraft on a fixed course (3 pts.).

6.                  DEFENSIVE BOATING:  It is every operator's duty, to take whatever action necessary to avoid a collision.  Do not assume you have the right-of-way in any given situation.  Keeping a proper operating distance can give you enough time to recognize a hazardous situation, and the room to avoid it.  Never make a course change without making a 360° survey of the traffic around your watercraft.  Knowing the location of other watercraft will give you an advantage in avoiding an accident.  All power craft shall operate in a counter-clockwise traffic pattern.

I.                    NEGLIGENT OPERATION

1.                  NEGLIGENT OPERATION:  No person shall operate any watercraft in a reckless or negligent manner, so as to endanger the life or property of any person.  Negligence includes, but not limited to, endangering other watercraft, swimmers, skiers, downed skiers, fishermen, sailors, docks or buoys. (6 pts.)

a.      No watercraft shall cut in front of or across the path of another watercraft on a fixed course, unless maintaining a distance of 150 feet.  (6 pts.)

b.      No watercraft shall follow closer than 300 feet behind a power craft that is pulling a person on water skis or other similar device.  (6 pts.)

2.                  PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES:

a.      Unsafe conduct which might cause the operator to lose control or cause a person to fall out of a watercraft.  (3 pts.)

b.      Sitting on the gunwales (sides of boat) or on the decking over the bow or stern while the watercraft is being operated in excess of Slow No-Wake speed.  (3 pts.)

c.      Power craft races. (3 pts.)

d.      Operating a power craft through or near a sailing competition race, in such a manner as to cause undue wash or waves which would disturb said race or any watercraft taking part in said race.  (3 pts.)

e.      Jumping into the water from a moving water craft (3 pts.)

f.        No operator of a Pontoon boat with an upper deck shall permit passengers to ride on the upper deck, while the vessel is under way.  (3 pts.)

g.      No plowing unless in the middle of the lake so as not to cause dock and/or shore line damage with a large wake.

J.                  BOATING WHILE INTOXICATED (BWI)

1.                  No person shall operate any watercraft while under the influence of alcohol or drugs that exceeds the BWI levels established by the State of Missouri. (6 pts.)

2.                  Any person who operates a watercraft while exceeding the BWI levels established by the State of Missouri, and who causes damage to person or property, shall receive 15 points and a one year suspension of lake privileges.

3.                  When involved in an accident or hazardous activity, refusal to take the breathalyzer test or blood alcohol study, obtained by a medical facility and supply these results to Lake Lotawana Association, will result in immediate revocation of lake privileges for 1 year.

K.                SPEED LIMITS

1.                  SPEED LIMIT:  No person shall operate a watercraft on the main body of the lake at a speed in excess of 40 miles per hour. (3 pts.)

2.                  SLOW NO-WAKE LIMITS:  Slow No-Wake speed is defined as the slowest speed at which a watercraft will move through the water, while being able to maintain course and create very little or minimal wake.

a.      SHORELINES: No person shall operate a boat within 100 feet of the shoreline in excess of Slow No-Wake speed, or in a manner that endangers persons, damages property, or causes excessive wake or wash.  (6 pts.)

b.      COVES:  No person shall operate a watercraft within any cove, as designated by an Official Water Traffic Control Device, in excess of Slow No-Wake speed, or in a manner that endangers persons, damages property, or cause excessive wake or wash.  (6 pts.)

c.      NIGHTTIME: Maximum speed limit on the main body of the lake, between the hours of one-half hour after sunset to sunrise, is 10 mph or less with minimal wake.  (3 pts.) 

L.                 OFFICIAL WATER TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES AND SHORELINE BUOYS

1.                  OFFICIAL WATER TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES are placed on the lake, specifically at the entrances to coves, to indicate Slow No-Wake areas.  Watercraft operators shall observe all water traffic control devices.

a.      No person shall damage or relocate a water traffic control device. (6 pts.)

b.      No person shall moor a watercraft, or any other object, to a water traffic control device.  (3 pts.)

2.                  SHORELINE BUOY DESIGN:  Shoreline Buoys shall extend above the water a minimum of 15 inches and be of a highly visible color.  Buoys shall be securely anchored.  Buoys of metal construction, such as Freon bottles or beer kegs, are prohibited.  (3 pts.)

3.                  SHORELINE BUOY PLACEMENT:  No shoreline buoy shall be placed more than 100 feet from shore. (3 pts.)

a.      No person shall damage or remove another property owner’s shoreline buoys. (6 pts.)

b.      No person shall moor a watercraft, or any other object, to another property owner’s buoy, without permission from the buoy’s owner.  (3 pts.)

4.                  SHORELINE LIMITATIONS:  No person shall operate a power craft, sailboat, or PWC within 100 feet of the shoreline, except for the express purpose of approaching or leaving a docking structure, and only then, after ascertaining that there are no swimmers in the immediate area.  However, any person fishing within the 100 feet limit may cruise at trolling speed, keeping a vigilant lookout for swimmers and other persons.  Sailboats may enter within the 100 feet limit during sanctioned races, provided they do not place any person or property in danger.  (6 pts.)

M.                PERSONAL WATER CRAFT (PWC)

1.                  The primary responsibility of the PWC driver is to watch for other traffic and proceed in a safe manner.  Good judgment on the part of all PWC operators helps to maintain our water safety.  It is required that all PWCs’ operate in a counter-clockwise direction around the lake.

2.                  Personal Water Craft are subject to the preceding watercraft regulations pertaining to registration, launching, navigation, negligence, speed limits, water traffic control devices, and shoreline limitations.  In addition, the following rules apply: 

3.                  EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS:

a.      Kill Switch:  All PWCs shall be equipped with a lanyard-type kill switch; the lanyard shall be attached to the operator.  (6pts.)

b.      Maximum Horsepower (HP):  Exceeding maximum HP shall result in revocation of the Registration Certificate

a.      No 2 stroke PWC certified for 1 rider shall have an engine larger than 700cc and a maximum HP, prior to pump, that exceeds 75 HP.

b.      No 2 stroke PWC certified for 2 riders shall have an engine larger than 750cc and a maximum HP, prior to pump, that exceeds 90 HP.

c.      No 2 stroke PWC certified for 3 riders shall have an engine larger than 800cc and a maximum HP, prior to pump, that exceeds 110 HP

d.      No 4 stroke PWC certified for 3 riders shall have an engine larger than 1500 cc and a maximum HP prior to pump, that exceeds 130 HP.  This is only for 4 stroke PWCs.

e.      PWCs certified for more than 3 riders are prohibited.

4.                  OPERATION REGULATIONS:

a.      NO PERSON UNDER AGE 17 shall operate a PWC, unless they have completed the Missouri Water Patrol Water Safety Class.  No person under the age of 16 shall operate a PWC. (6 pts.)

b.      PASSENGERS:  No person shall carry passengers on a PWC in excess of the manufacturer’s certification.  (3 pts.)

c.      PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE (PFD):  Every person on a PWC shall wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD Type I, II, III, or V. (3 pts.)

d.      NO SKIING OR TOWING behind a PWC.  (3 pts.)

e.      The PWCs exceeding the horsepower limitations during the 1995 boating season are grandfathered, and may not be sold or transferred to any other lake resident.

f.        THE FOLLOWING ACTS ARE PROHIBITED WHILE OPERATING A PWC:  (3 pts. each)

a.      Weaving through traffic, at other than idle speed.

b.      Jumping through the wake of another watercraft.

c.      Becoming airborne or completely leaving the water while crossing the wake of another watercraft. 

d.      Operating at a speed in excess of Slow No-Wake within 50 feet of any watercraft.

e.      Continued concentrated operation or “stunting” of PWCs in small areas for an extended period of time (thereby becoming a “nuisance” to adjacent lake owners).

5.         On the Holidays of Memorial Day, Independence Day & Labor Day, PWC use is restricted to the hours of 2 p.m. until 1/2 hour after sunset or 100 yards visibility.

N.                WATER SKIING

1.                  The term “water skier,” as used in the following regulations, includes all persons being pulled by a power craft on water skis or on similar devices, such as a wake board, inner tube, aquaplane, zip sled, disk, surfboard, air chair, or any other similar device.

2.                  The primary responsibility of the power craft driver is to watch for other traffic and proceed only in a safe manner.  All operators of a towboat should use good judgment and exercise extreme caution, to avoid conflicting paths with other watercraft, and to avoid areas congested with other watercraft.  It is recommended that all watercraft towing a skier, attempt to operate in a counter-clockwise traffic pattern, except when directed otherwise by the Water Patrol.

3.                  The towboat observer should alert the driver if the skier has fallen, and relay other instructions between the skier and driver.  The skier should exercise the highest degree of care so as not to endanger life, limb, or property of himself/herself or of another person.  A fallen skier should, if at all possible, immediately raise one ski perpendicular to the water, so that at least 24 inches or more of the ski is visible out of the water.

4.                  During periods of heavy watercraft traffic when ski activity becomes unsafe, the Water Patrol may curtail skiing. 

5.                  OBSERVER AND EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS:

a.      OBSERVER:  No person shall operate a watercraft while pulling a water skier, unless there is in the watercraft, in addition to the operator, an observer who is in a position to communicate readily with the operator, and who is observing the water skier in a competent manner.  The minimum age for an observer is 5 years.  (3 pts.)

b.      APPROVED SKI FLAG:  During water ski activity, a red flag shall be affixed to the bow of the watercraft or at the highest point when ski tower or racks are installed, forward of the windshield and perpendicular to the deck.  This flag shall be a minimum of 10 inches square, and shall be displayed at a height so that the bottom of the flag is at least 24 inches above the deck.  The flag shall be visible for 360 degrees.

a.      Flags on pontoon boats shall be mounted at the highest point.  When 360° visibility cannot be obtained, two flags shall be flown, one fore and one aft. 

b.      Hand holding of a ski flag is not permitted.

c.      Ski activity is defined as the time the skis, rope, and/or skier enter the water until the time the skier, rope, and skis come out of the water.  (3 pts.)

c.      PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE (PFD):  A person on water skis or similar device shall wear a PFD, which is designed to withstand the impact of hitting the water at high speeds.  (A ski belt is not an acceptable flotation device for skiing.) (3 pts.)

d.      TOW ROPE:  No person on water skis shall use a tow rope, which is less than 25 feet in length or more than 80 feet in length.  A training boom affixed to a power craft is an acceptable towing device, provided that a distance of 8 feet from the skier and the side of the boat is maintained, and that in no event could the skier come in contact with the power craft while skiing or in the event of a fall.  (3 pts.)

e.      TIME AND VISIBILITY REGULATIONS:

a.      DAILY HOURS:  No person shall operate a watercraft, in the act of pulling or attempting to pull a water skier, prior to sunrise, ½ hour after sunset, nor at any time that visibility is such that the water skier may not be seen from a distance of 100 yards. (6 pts.)

b.      HOLIDAYS:  On Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day, skiing shall be permitted only during the following hours:

                                                                    Sunrise to 10:00 a.m.

                                                                    12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m.

                                       Skiing may also be restricted or curtailed during any special

                                       event, as determined by the Executive Committee of the

                                       Association (3 pts.).

On the Holidays of Memorial Day, Independence Day & Labor Day, PWC use is restricted to the hours of 2 p.m. until 1/2 hour after sunset or 100 yards visibility.            

f.        OPERATION REGULATIONS:

a.      MAXIMUM NUMBER OF SKIERS:  No person shall operate a watercraft while pulling more than 2 water skiers, either separately or together, on the same device at the same time.  (3 pts.)

b.      NO SKIING IN COVE:  No person shall operate a watercraft while pulling or attempting to pull a water skier within a cove, designated as such by an official water traffic control device.  (6 pts.)

g.      THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS ARE PROHIBITED WHILE WATER SKIING:

a.      Cutting in front of or across the path of a watercraft on a fixed course, unless maintaining a distance of 150 feet.  (6 pts.)

b.      Swinging out so as to have any objects, such as watercraft, buoys, or swimmers, come between the skier and the towboat.  (6 pts.)

c.      Skiing within 100 feet of any shoreline, or inside of any cove marker, with the following exception:  after a water skier has let go of the rope, he or she may ski into the 100 foot safety area to within 75 feet from the shore under his or her own power.  (6 pts.)

d.      Skiing while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.  (6 pts.)

e.      Taking off from any dock, pier, or other structure extending from the shoreline.  (3 pts.)

f.        Skiing within 50 feet of another watercraft.  (3 pts.)

g.      Skiing within 50 feet of another skier or fallen skier, unless both skiers are being pulled by the same watercraft.  (3 pts.)

h.      Carrying another person, animal, or object. (3 pts.)

6.                  JUMP RULES:  SEE APPENDIX B (LAKE LOTAWANA SKI CLUB JUMP RULES)

O.                SWIMMING

1.                  A swimmer, or any person using a raft or any flotation device, shall stay within 75 feet of the shoreline.  Swimmers and persons using flotation devices are permitted to swim from a watercraft inside of a cove, as designated by an official Water Traffic Control Device, provided that they stay within 75 feet of the watercraft. (6 pts.)

P.                 FISHING

1.                  All Channel Cat less than 14 inches in total length shall be returned to the water, unharmed, immediately after being taken from the lake.  Total length is measured from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail, with the fish laid flat on the rule, with the mouth closed and tail lobes pressed together.  (3 pts.)

2.                  All Black Bass less than 12 inches and greater than 15 inches may be kept.  Bass 12 to 15 inches in length, measured from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail, shall be returned to the water, unharmed, immediately after being taken from the lake.  (3 pts.)

3.                  Carp may be taken by hook and line, gig, longbow, crossbow, pitchforks, wire hoops or any other device allowed by the Missouri Wildlife Code, not herein expressly forbidden.  (3 pts.)

4.                  Special purpose fish (walleye and striped bass) shall be returned to the lake unharmed.  (3 pts.)

5.                  CRAPPIE BEDS:  Any brush or Christmas tree used for the establishment of crappie beds shall be sunk in water not less than 10 feet deep and adequately moored so as not to present any obstacle to boat traffic or pose any danger to swimmers.  (3 pts.)

6.                  BAIT FISH PROHIBITED:  No carp, sucker, or other rough fish minnows, shall be used as bait.  Leftover minnows shall not be thrown into the lake.  (3 pts.)

7.                  PROHIBITED FISHING METHODS:  No person shall use any electrical device, explosive, poison, or chemical to kill, attempt to kill, or stupefy fish. (3 pts.) 

8.                  No person shall use trammel net, hoop net, gill net, seine nets, or fish traps to take fish.  No fishing with limb lines, trot lines, or jug lines.  (3 pts.)

9.                  No fishing allowed from dam, spillway, bridge, or dam site boat docks. (3 pts.)

10.             No person shall feed any Canada Geese (3 pts.)

Q.                MISCELLANEOUS:

1.                  LITTER:  No person shall litter the lake or parkway with any vegetation (leaves, grass tree limbs), trash, fish offal, or other offensive substances.  (3 pts.)

2.                  CHEMICALS:  No person shall use any chemical in the lake, for the control of weeds or algae growth, except with written permission from the Executive Committee of the Lake Lotawana Association.  (3 pts.)

3.                  No person shall use soap or detergent while swimming in the lake. (3 pts.)

4.                  AIRCRAFT PROHIBITED:  No person shall land or takeoff any aircraft from the surface of the lake or adjacent parkway or easement.  (3 pts.)

5.                  FIREWORKS:  Fireworks are prohibited. (6 pts.)