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2025 Code of Georgia
Title 52 - Waters of the State, Ports, and Watercraft (Chs. 1 — 10)
Chapter 7 - Registration, Operation, and Sale of Watercraft (Arts. 1 — 3)
Article 1 - General Provisions (§§ 52-7-1 — 52-7-26)
Annotations
Research References & Practice Aids
Cross references.Requirements pertaining to providing of marine toilets or other disposal units on boats operated on waters of state, § 12-5-23.
Law reviews.For note on 1995 amendments of Code sections in this article, see 12 Ga. St. U. L. Rev. 372 (1995).
For article, “SB 174: Revising Georgia’s List of Bail Restricted Offenses,” see 38 Ga. St. U. L. Rev. 41 (2021).
RESEARCH REFERENCES ALR.Liability in admiralty for collision between vessel and drawbridge structure, 134 A. L. R. Fed 537.
Hierarchy Notes:O. C. G. A. Title 52
O. C. G. A. Title 52, Ch. 7
Universal Citation:
O.C.G.A. Title 52, Ch. 7, Art. 1
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- § 52-7-1. Short title
- § 52-7-2. Declaration of policy
- § 52-7-3. Definitions
- § 52-7-4. Requirement as to numbering of vessels; titling; requirements for hull damaged vessels
- § 52-7-5. [Effective July 1, 2026] Numbering of vessels; requirements; fees
- § 52-7-6. Exemptions from numbering requirements
- § 52-7-7. Dealers’ vessels
- § 52-7-7.1. Hull identification numbers required; penalty for violations
- § 52-7-7.2. Display of hull identification numbers on new vessels
- § 52-7-7.3. Seizure of vessels without hull identification numbers; seizure of related property; inspections
- § 52-7-7.4. [Reserved] Property not subject to replevin; report by law enforcement agency of seizure of property; procedures
- § 52-7-7.5. Counterfeit hull identification numbers; penalty
- § 52-7-7.6. Exception to requirement for hull identification numbers
- § 52-7-8. Classification of vessels; required equipment
- § 52-7-8.1. Discharge of sewage from vessels on lakes; use of vessels with marine toilets on protected fresh waters; certificate and recordation requirements
- § 52-7-8.2. Restrictions on operation of personal watercraft
- § 52-7-8.3. Operation of watercraft; identification; operation by minors
- § 52-7-8.4. Definitions; anchorage restriction areas; permit requirement for long-term anchoring in estuarine areas; short-term anchoring; safe harbor; exceptions
- § 52-7-9. Boat liveries
- § 52-7-10. Exhausts to be muffled; exemptions; noise level testing
- § 52-7-11. Lights
- § 52-7-12. Operation of watercraft while under influence of alcohol, toxic vapors, or drugs; legal drug use not exempted; blood and other chemical tests; test refusal; owner’s liability for allowing another to operate while intoxicated; civil and criminal actions; child endangerment
- § 52-7-12.1. Reckless operation of vessel or other water device
- § 52-7-12.2. Homicide by vessel
- § 52-7-12.3. Feticide by vessel
- § 52-7-12.4. Serious injury by vessel
- § 52-7-12.5. Ordering drug, alcohol, or other substance tests; implied consent warning; reports; suspension; hearing; certificate of inspection
- § 52-7-12.6. Terms of suspension; return of operating privilege; operation when suspended
- § 52-7-12.7. Suspension of privileges to operate a vessel upon waters of this state for violations of vessel laws
- § 52-7-13. [Effective July 1, 2026] Boating safety zones; restrictions on use of motors and operation of houseboats on certain lakes; exceptions
- § 52-7-13.1. Limitation on wakeboarding or wakesurfing
- § 52-7-14. Accident, collision, or other casualty; salvage rights
- § 52-7-15. Furnishing information to federal officials and agencies
- § 52-7-16. Towing persons on water skis, aquaplanes, surfboards or similar device
- § 52-7-17. Speed and load restrictions; riding of bow or gunwale of vessel
- § 52-7-18. Rules of the road for boat traffic
- § 52-7-19. Regattas, boat races, marine parades, tournaments, and exhibitions
- § 52-7-20. Operation of vessels in vicinity of regulatory markers and aids to navigation; tampering with regulatory markers and aids to navigation
- § 52-7-21. Local regulations concerning operation, equipment, numbering, and other matters relating to vessels
- § 52-7-22. Comprehensive boating educational programs; required completion; exception
- § 52-7-23. Power of Board of Natural Resources to adopt rules and regulations
- § 52-7-24. Filing and publication of rules and regulations and amendments thereto
- § 52-7-25. Enforcement of article
- § 52-7-26. [Effective July 1, 2026] Penalty
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