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BOATING SAFETY ON CONESUS LAKE

Law and Safety Enforcement
Livingston County Sheriff’s Department Marine Patrol

The Marine Patrol of the Livingston County Sheriff’s Department provides law enforcement patrols on Conesus Lake from substations located at Vitale Park and Long Point Park.

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 04-09 provides non-law enforcement safety patrols on Conesus Lake, in addition to vessel safety checks and public education programs.

Speed Limits for All Watercraft

  • 45mph daytime speed limit
  • 25mph nighttime speed limit
  • 5mph/”no wake” speed limit between speed buoys and shoreline

Operator Restrictions

  • Under 10 years of age: May only operate a motorboat with a person age 18 or older on board
  • 10 to 18 years of age: May only operate a motorboat with a person age 18 or older on board, or while holding a safety certificate
  • 18 years of age or older: May operate a motorboat alone, except for Personal Water Craft (PWCs), which require a boating safety certificate for all operators

Personal Water Craft (PWC) - Specific Laws

  • Effective January 1, 2004, all PWC operators, regardless of age, must possess a boating safety certificate and have this certificate in their possession whenever operating a PWC
  • The fine for operating a PWC without a boating safety certificate is $100. This law is strictly enforced by the Livingston County Sheriff’s Department Marine Patrol on Conesus Lake
  • PWCs must stay 500 feet away from designated swimming areas
  • The only legal hours of operation for PWCs are between sunrise and sunset

Boating Best Practices

  • No boat with an operational sink or marine toilet may be operated on the waters of Conesus Lake
  • Do not create any wake inside the speed buoys that ring Conesus Lake. All areas between these buoys and the shoreline, a distance of approximately 200 feet, are "no-wake zones"
  • Keep your speed in the middle of the lake – away from swimmers, divers/snorkelers and slower boats/PWCs
  • Observe all marine laws, especially those regarding the operation of PWCs, children under the age of 12 wearing PFDs, speed limits, and boat/PWC load limits
  • Pay attention when you drive your boat/PWC. Operator inattention is the leading cause of boating accidents and deaths in New York State