Rafting Regulations

[sum-r breeze]

Can anyone direct me to the NH exact laws regarding Rafting?
ie where,how far from shore,how many boats are allowed,water front owners rights and non rights? I remember a previous post about this last summer but don't have the specifics. I do remember the info that the state of NH owns the water up to the high water mark.I would like to read it chapter and verse.
Some of these things are not even clear to Marine Patrol. I would like to carry a copy of the specific law on my boat to remove all confusion the next time the subject comes up for discussion.

Thanks in advance
The Breeze

[Mee-n-Mac]

From http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rules/saf-c400.html

PART Saf-C 407 RAFTING RULES
(a) In addition to and in conjunction with the requirements of RSA 270:44, no person, except as otherwise provided herein, shall, in a prohibited location or at a prohibited time:
(1) Form or allow a boat which he or she is operating or in charge of to be a member of a raft consisting of 3 or more boats;
(2) Form or allow the boat which he or she is operating or in charge of to be a member of a raft if any part of such raft is:
a. Less than 150 feet from shore; or
b. Less than 50 feet from any other raft; or
c. Less than 50 feet from any occupied single boat which is stationary upon the waters of the same lake or pond; and
(3) Anchor a single boat and cause it to remain stationary upon the waters of a lake or pond other than momentarily if any part of such boat is:
a. Less than 150 feet from shore; or
b. Less than 50 feet away from any raft; or
c. Less than 25 feet away from any other single boat which is stationary upon the waters of such lake or pond.

Source. #2573, eff 12-30-83; ss by #3010, eff 5-2-85; ss by #4070, eff 06-30-86; ss by #4562, eff 1-3-89; amd by #5862, eff 7-1-94; amd by #5936, INTERIM, eff 1-3-95, EXPIRES, 5-3-95; ss by #6005, eff 3-24-95, EXPIRED: 3-24-03

New. #7904, INTERIM, eff 6-24-03, EXPIRED: 12-21-03

New. #8107, EMERGENCY, eff 6-22-04, EXPIRES: 12-19-04; ss by #8172, eff 9-21-04

Saf-C 407.02 Exceptions.
(a) The provisions of Saf-C 407.01 shall not apply to:
(1) Boats anchored or moored at marinas, yacht clubs, or at private docks with the owner's permission;
(2) Boats involved in or attending a:
a. Fireworks display;
b. Boat parade;
c. Boat race; or
d. Any other public events for which the commissioner issues a permit in accordance with Saf-C 413;
(3) Boats converged at the direction of the division or of the fish and game department to protect threatened wildlife species;
(4) Boats converged in an emergency to prevent personal injury, property damage, or other life or health-threatening situations;
(5) Boats operated by peace officers engaged in law enforcement;
(6) Lifeboats or dinghies;
(7) Sailboats operated by organized youth groups under the direct control of a camp counselor or other responsible adult; and
(8) Boats on estuaries, tidal waters, or lakes or ponds of less than 400 acres.

Source. #4562, eff 1-3-89; ss by #5936, INTERIM, eff 1-3-95, EXPIRES, 5-3-95; ss by #6005, eff 3-24-95, EXPIRED: 3-24-03

New. #7904, INTERIM, eff 6-24-03, EXPIRED: 12-21-03

New. #8107, EMERGENCY, eff 6-22-04, EXPIRES: 12-19-04; ss by #8172, eff 9-21-04

Saf-C 407.03 Prohibited Areas.
(a) Rafting as defined in RSA 270:42, V, shall be prohibited in the following areas of Lake Winnipesaukee unless covered by one of the exceptions specified in RSA 270:45:
(1) The Kona Mansion, so-called, in Moultonborough, east of an imaginary line running north and south from the red top mark buoy located on the western tip of Avery's Point on the south to the Kona Farm gas docks on the north;
(2) Small's Cove in Alton, southwest of an imaginary line running southeast-northwest from light 75 on the northwestern end to the northernmost point of land marking the entrance to the first cove, south of Small's Cove on the south;
(3) Wentworth Cove, southwest of Governor's Island Bridge west of an imaginary north-south line, running from light 43 on the north to the black top buoy, located off Wentworth Cove Estates on the south;
(4) Braun Bay, within 300 feet of both fish and game property lines, to be delineated by marine patrol with orange mooring balls;
(5) Braun Bay, at a distance less than 75 feet from shore, to be delineated by marine patrol with orange mooring balls;
(6) The area known as Cedar Cove, specifically identified as the area opposite Plum Island which borders the town of Alton tax map 18, lot numbers 12 through 20 and 55;
(7) The area of Winter Harbor from the southern boundary of the town of Tuftonboro tax map 63, lot number 14 to the southern boundary of tax map 15, lot number 20.
(8) The entire area known as Green’s Basin, in the town of Moultonborough;
(9) Orchard Cove, on the east side of Cow Island, in the town of Tuftonboro;
(10) The entire area known as Buzzell Cove, in the town of Moultonborough; and
(11) Brickyard Cove, encompassing a described area that would run south of an imaginary line running about 2,300 feet from the northern tip of Clay Point to the southern tip of Barndoor Island.

(b) Rafting as defined in RSA 270:42, V, shall be prohibited in the following areas of Lake Sunapee {deleted by me for brevety}

Source. #4562, eff 1-3-89; amd by #5671, eff 7-19-93; amd by #5936, INTERIM, eff 1-3-95, EXPIRES, 5-3-95; ss by #6005, eff 3-24-95; ss by #6815, eff 7-24-98; amd by #7286, eff 5-23-00; amd by #7906, eff 6-24-03; ss by #8172, eff 9-21-04

Doesn't mention high tide, ownership, etc but that's a different topic. Hope this helps. You may also want to search the forum re: rafting. It's been discussed before. Perhaps the following may help with the other portion of your question ... http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/...read.php?t=941