Boat Safety & Lake Information
Boat Safety - Rules & Regulations
- Life jackets are in forward compartments or under seats. Children under the age of seven must wear a life jacket at all times.
- Know the location of the fire extinguisher.
- Attach kill switch lanyard to vest, wrist, or leg while boat is underway.
- When underway, passengers must be in proper seats - not in fishing seats or on sun deck.
- If motor will not start:
- Check to make sure kill switch is in place and RED toggle switch is in the RUN position.
- Make sure the gear shift is in the NEUTRAL position.
- Please observe all NO WAKE ZONES.
- For your safety, do not swim or use water accessories in the main traffic channel of lake.
- Orange flag must be displayed any time a person who is being towed on a water accessory (tube, ski, wakeboard or kneeboard) falls into the water. The orange flag is used during retrieval of that person and displayed prominently to warn other boaters there is a person down in the water. ORANGE FLAG MUST ALSO BE DISPLAYED WHILE SWIMMING.
- If you intend to fish, please make sure you have a valid Missouri fishing license before leaving the dock.
- Fish length limits:
- All bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted) must be 15” with a total limit of six per person.
- Crappie must be 10” with a total limit of 15 per person.
- (For additional information on fishing regulations, ask for a copy at the Marina.)
- DO NOT BEACH THE BOAT OR TIE UP TO TREES!
- In case of severe weather, please make your way back to Bent Hook Marina at Big Cedar. If you are unable to make it back, please pull into the nearest empty boat dock on the lake and seek shelter until the storm has passed. You should not attempt to navigate through a storm. If you need assistance please contact the Marina at 417-339-5057.
You Must be 18 years or older to rent any watercraft at Bent Hook Marina or Long Creek Marina.
Beginning January 1, 2005, every person born after January 1, 1984 who operates a vessel on Missouri lakes shall possess, on the vessel, a boating safety identification card issued by the Missouri State Water Patrol (along with a valid photo I.D.)
Beginning January 1, 2006, every NON-RESIDENT boat operator born after January 1, 1984, shall possess a boating safety certification card from their home state, United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadron or Missouri State Water Patrol.
Any person convicted of Boating While Intoxicated, Reckless and Negligent operation, Failing to Stop on Signal of Water Patrol or Leaving the Scene of a Vessel Accident, shall enroll in and successfully complete, at his or her own expense, a boating safety education course; file with the court proof of successful completion of such course and submit a certified copy to the Water patrol; and not operate a vessel until such filing.
NOTE: Remember, a Personal Water Craft is a Vessel. You have several options as to where you can get certified. Take the online course, order the home study course or take one of our Classroom Courses, all listed on our homepage at: www.mswp.dps.mo.gov, or call 1-800-830-2268 for ordering the home study course.
You may also get certification from any other NASBLA approved course; however, if you are a Missouri resident, you are required to obtain a card from the Missouri State Water Patrol.
