H.B. 345

VETOES

(VII) PATROLLING A MARINE PARADE, REGATTA, OR OTHER
WATER RELATED EVENT.

(2) THE FOLLOWING PERSONS "MAY DISPLAY AND OPERATE A
FLASHING, ALTERNATING RED AND YELLOW LIGHT OR SIGNAL DEVICE:

(I) A member of a municipal, county, or volunteer fire, rescue, or
ambulance department or company who is on a fire, rescue, or ambulance vessel of a
municipal, county, or volunteer fire; rescue, or ambulance department or company [may
display and operate flashing, alternating red and yellow lights or signal devices] while

responding to or at the scene of an emergency; AND

(II) AN AUTHORIZED INDIVIDUAL OPERATING A COAST GUARD
AUXILIARY VESSEL OR A COMMERCIAL TOWING VESSEL WHILE ENGAGED IN A
PUBLIC SAFETY ACTIVITY.

(c) [On the immediate approach of a fire, rescue, or ambulance vessel lawfully
using a flashing," alternating red and yellow light or signal device; an operator of another
vessel, unless otherwise directed by a police officer, shall:

(1) Yield the right of way; and

(2) Stop the vessel and stay in that position until the fire, rescue, or
ambulance vessel has passed.

(C) (1) AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS ON A VESSEL ENGAGED IN A GOVERNMENT
SANCTIONED PUBLIC SAFETY ACTIVITY OR A COMMERCIAL VESSEL PERFORMING A
PUBLIC SAFETY ACTIVITY MAY DISPLAY AN ALTERNATELY FLASHING RED AND
YELLOW LIGHT SIGNAL.

(2) THE PUBLIC safety IDENTIFICATION LIGHT SIGNAL SHALL BE
LOCATED SO THAT IT DOES NOT INTERFERE WITH THE VISIBILITY OF THE VESSEL'S

NAVIGATION LIGHTS.                                               

            (3) THE PUBLIC SAFETY IDENTIFICATION LIGHT SIGNAL MAY BE USED

ONLY AS AN IDENTIFICATION LIGHT SIGNAL AND DOES NOT CONVEY ANY SPECIAL

PRIVILEGE TO THE VESSEL DISPLAYING THE LIGHT SIGNAL.

(4) AN INDIVIDUAL ON A VESSEL USING THE PUBLIC SAFETY
IDENTIFICATION LIGHT SIGNAL DURING PUBLIC SAFETY ACTIVITIES SHALL COMPLY
WITH THE INLAND NAVIGATION RULES ADOPTED BY THE UNITED STATES COAST
GUARD AND MAY NOT PRESUME THAT THE LIGHT OR THE ACTIVITY GIVES THE
VESSEL PRECEDENCE OR RIGHT-OF-WAY.

(d)] A person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor
and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $500.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
October June 1, 1993.

May 27, 1993

- 3454 -