Mississippi Administrative Code
Title 22 - MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF MARINE RESOURCES
Part 16 - BOAT AND WATER SAFETY ON MARINE WATERS OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
Chapter 02 - DEFINITIONS
Rule 22-16-2.1 - Definitions

A. COVERED RECREATIONAL VESSEL - means a recreational vessel that is less than 26 ft. overall in length and capable of developing 115 pounds or more of static thrust.

B. ENFORCING AUTHORITY - means Marine Patrol Officers of the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) or any other duly deputized law enforcement officer of the State of Mississippi.

C. ENGINE CUT-OFF SWITCH (ECOS) - An Engine Cut-off Switch is a safety mechanism used to shut off propulsion machinery when the operator is displaced from the helm.

D. ENGINE CUT-OFF SWITCH LINK (ECOSL) - An ECOSL is the device that connects the operator to the ECOS. The link must be attached to the operator, the operator's clothing, or operator's personal floatation device. It is typically a coiled lanyard, but may also be an electronic fob.

E. MARINE SAFETY ZONE - means an area of marine waters where special marine safety rules are instituted by the Executive Director of the MDMR.

F. MOTORBOAT - means any undocumented vessel propelled by machinery, whether such machinery is the principal source of propulsion.

G. NO WAKE ZONE - means an area of navigable marine water in which vessels are not allowed to create a potentially damaging wake or to operate the vessel above idle speed within one hundred (100) feet adjacent to any public harbor and/or public marina or within one hundred (100) feet of any public boat launching ramp facility.

H. OWNER - means the person who claims lawful possession of a vessel by virtue of legal title or equitable interest therein which entitles him to such possession.

I. OPERATOR - means the person who operates or has charge of the navigation or use of a motorboat or vessel.

J. PERSONAL FLOATATION DEVICE - means a wearable flotation device classified and approved by the United States Coast Guard which is in such a condition that it is fit for its intended purpose, bears a legibly marked United States Coast Guard approval number, and is of an appropriate size for the person who intends to use it.

K. PERSONAL WATERCRAFT - means a vessel which uses an inboard motor powering a water jet pump as its primary source of motive power and which is designed to be operated by a person sitting, standing, or kneeling on, or being towed behind the vessel rather than in the conventional manner of sitting or standing inside the vessel.

L. VENDOR - means an individual or company in the business of renting vessels or personal watercraft to the general public for their use.

M. VESSEL - means every description of watercraft, other than seaplane on the water, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on the water.