CHAPTER 6. PASSENGER BOATS
IC 14-15-6
Chapter 6. Passenger Boats
IC 14-15-6-1
Certificate of inspection and registration; requirement
Sec. 1. (a) A person may not operate a boat upon public water to
carry passengers for hire unless the following conditions are met:
(1) The department has inspected and registered the boat.
(2) A certificate of inspection and registration issued by the
department is affixed to the boat in a prominent place within the
clear view of the passengers.
(b) A certificate of inspection and registration expires one (1)
calendar year after the date on which the watercraft was inspected.
However, the department may extend the expiration date for not
more than thirty (30) days if conditions exist that would prevent the
inspection of the watercraft before the first anniversary of the
previous inspection.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.136-1997, SEC.4.
IC 14-15-6-2
Certificate of inspection and registration; issuance
Sec. 2. (a) Before issuing a certificate of inspection and
registration for a passenger boat, the department shall have the boat,
including all motors, machinery, and equipment, thoroughly and
carefully inspected by a competent person.
(b) If the department finds that:
(1) the boat, including motors, machinery, and equipment, is:
(A) of a suitable design and construction for the service in
which the boat is or is to be employed; and
(B) in a good, safe, and sound operating condition and state
of repair that warrants the belief that the boat can be
operated with safety in the service;
(2) the boat, including motors, machinery, and equipment, is in
compliance with this article and the rules adopted under this
article; and
(3) property tax under IC 6-1.1 is not owed on the boat, as
evidenced by the tax receipt for payment from the appropriate
county treasurer;
the department shall register the boat and issue a certificate.
(c) If the department does not find the conditions in subsection
(b), the department shall immediately notify the owner of the boat
why the boat fails to meet the requirements.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.8.
IC 14-15-6-3
Fees
Sec. 3. (a) The department shall charge and collect a fee for the
following:
(1) Each annual dockside inspection.
(2) Each dry dock inspection, which shall be conducted at least
one (1) time every sixty (60) months.
(b) The following fees shall be charged:
(1) All watercraft, except sailboats, carrying not more than six
(6) passengers for hire on navigable water of Indiana:
(A) Dockside inspection............. $ 50
(B) Dry dock inspection............. $ 75
(2) All watercraft, except sailboats, carrying not more than six
(6) passengers for hire on inland water of Indiana:
(A) Dockside inspection............. $ 30
(B) Dry dock inspection............. $ 30
(3) All watercraft, except sailboats, carrying more than six (6)
passengers for hire on inland water of Indiana:
(A) Dockside inspection............. $ 75
(B) Dry dock inspection............. $100
(4) All watercraft propelled primarily by sail that carry
passengers for hire on navigable or inland water of Indiana:
(A) Dockside inspection............. $ 50
(B) Dry dock inspection............. $ 75
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.8.
IC 14-15-6-4
Inspections; taking or suspension of certificate
Sec. 4. (a) The department may:
(1) periodically; and
(2) with or without notice;
inspect a registered passenger boat.
(b) If the department finds from the inspection that the boat would
not be entitled to registration if registration were sought at that time,
the department shall immediately notify the owner of the boat the
reason the boat fails to meet the requirements. The department may:
(1) take possession of a certificate of inspection and registration
issued for the boat; and
(2) suspend the operation of the certificate of inspection and
registration;
pending the correction of the deficiencies.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.8.
IC 14-15-6-5
Operation during suspension of certificate prohibited
Sec. 5. The owner of a passenger boat whose registration has been
suspended under section 4 of this chapter may not use the boat or
permit the boat to be used to carry passengers for hire until:
(1) the deficiencies have been corrected; and
(2) the certificate of inspection and registration has been issued
or restored.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.8.
IC 14-15-6-6
Contents of certificate
Sec. 6. Each certificate of inspection and registration must certify
that the inspection has been made and must set forth, among other
things, the following:
(1) The date of inspection.
(2) A description of the boat, including motors, machinery and
equipment.
(3) The age of the boat.
(4) The maximum weight, including both passengers and
property, that may safely be carried on the boat.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.8.
IC 14-15-6-7
Display of maximum weight
Sec. 7. A person may not operate a passenger boat unless there is
painted on the outside of the boat, both to starboard and to port and
in a conspicuous place, the maximum weight, including passengers
and property, that may safely be carried on the boat, as set forth in
the certificate.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.8.
IC 14-15-6-8
Operation in excess of maximum weight prohibited
Sec. 8. A person may not operate a passenger boat with persons
or property on board in excess of the maximum weight, including
passengers and property, that may safely be carried on the boat, as
set forth in the certificate.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.8.
IC 14-15-6-9
Procedure upon sale of boat
Sec. 9. (a) Upon the sale of a passenger boat, the purchaser shall
within ten (10) days do the following at the same time:
(1) Give notice in writing to the department of the sale and the
date of the sale.
(2) Surrender the certificate to the department for cancellation.
(b) The department shall, upon receipt, issue a new certificate of
inspection and registration to the purchaser. The department shall
charge and collect a fee of five dollars ($5) for issuing the certificate.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.8.
IC 14-15-6-10
Violations
Sec. 10. A person who violates this chapter commits a Class C
infraction.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.8.