b'B O AT I N G R E G U L AT I O N SEnforcementBoating Several law enforcement agencies enforce Connecticuts state statutes, regulations and federal navigational laws. Within their respective jurisdictions, the United States Coast Guard, state conservation police Regulations officers, municipal police officers, town marine officers, lake patrolmen and POST-certified harbormasters are empowered to enforce federal, state and local boating regulations. These enforcement officers have authority to stop and board boats to check for compliance with federal or state law or to search without warrant.State and federal boating laws specify which vessels are allowed or required to display flashing lights.There are four kinds of flashing lights to which you should pay special attention.Law enforcement vessels engaged in enforcement activities will likely display a flashing blue light or audible signal.Flashing blue lights or sirens are not allowed on any other vessels.Because of this, vessel theft alarms must be designed in a manner so that it cannot be confused with an ordinary warning signal or siren.Vessels engaged in government sanctioned public safety activities, such as fireboats and certain commercial assistance vessels will use alternating flashing red and yellow light signals.An example of a commercial vessel displaying alternating flashing red and yellow light signals is a commercial assistance towing vessel that is assisting a disabled vessel.High speed ferries, submarines and air cushion vessels (hovercraft) display flashing yellow lights as part of the their required navigation lights.Also, a barge, when being pushed in front of or towed alongside a work vessel, will display a flashing yellow light on the bow and near its centerline.Finally, a Wing-In-Ground (WIG) vessel will use a high-intensity flashing red light when taking off, landing and in flight near the surface.If you are being approached by a law enforcement or rescue vessel using flashing blue lights or alternating flashing red and yellow lights or an audible signal, you are required to:1. immediately slow to a speed just sufficient to maintain steerage only; 2. alter course within your ability to not inhibit or interfere with the law enforcement or fire rescue vessel; and, 3. unless otherwise directed by an officer, proceed at a reduced speed until beyond the area of operation of the law enforcement or fire rescue vessel.If you willfully or negligently obstruct or delay a law enforcement or fire rescue vessel answering an emergency call or pursuing a fleeing law violator, you may be fined up to $200. If a vessel operator passes within 200 feet of a stationary law enforcement vessel using its lights and audible signal or a fire rescue vessel using its lights, the vessel operator is required to slow the operators vessel to Slow-No-Wake speed until it is more than 200 feet away from the law enforcement or fire rescue vessel. If someone fails to slow as required, the offender shall be subject to a fine of between $50 PHOTO CREDIT - MARK CHANSKI to $200.2020 Connecticut BOATERS GUIDE21'