New York Codes, Rules and Regulations
Title 9 - EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
Subtitle I - Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
Chapter V - Marine And Recreational Vehicles
Subchapter A - Motorboats
Part 447 - Conduct Of Regattas
Section 447.2 - Preliminary preparations

(a) At least 15 days prior to the date of the proposed regatta, to be held on the navigable waters of the State, the sponsor of such regatta shall file an application with the commissioner and obtain a permit.

(b) When regattas are proposed to be held on waters which generally sustain commercial traffic, this fact should be indicated on the application and the application should be filed at least 30 days prior to the date of the regatta. The sponsor shall supplement the application by a full explanation of the approximate quantity and type of commercial traffic, and the relationship between the traffic channels and the proposed regatta area.

(c) When the application is approved, a regatta permit will be issued. The permit will specify the date or dates and the waterway upon which the regatta is to be held, and unless alternate dates are specified, the regatta must commence and terminate within the time set forth in the permit. The permit may contain special rules and regulations, and permission to place certain equipment necessary for the conduct of the regatta.

(d) Upon the recommendation of the sponsor, at least three persons will be appointed as special navigation inspectors, and their names will be listed on the regatta permit. It shall be the duty of special navigation inspectors to enforce the provisions of the Navigation Law and the rules and regulations for the conduct of regattas, and any special rules and regulations which may be included on the regatta permit, during the period in which the regatta is authorized. Such special navigation inspectors shall receive no compensation from the State. Any expense in connection with their duties shall be borne by the sponsor of the regatta.

(e) The special navigation inspectors shall be provided with fully equipped boats of a size and speed suitable for patrolling the type of regatta in progress. The minimum equipment to be carried shall be in accordance with the provisions of section 40 of the Navigation Law, and extra equipment shall be left to the discretion of the inspector but shall be suitable for safety and lifesaving work for the type of regatta in progress.

(f) It shall be the duty of the sponsor to notify property owners in the vicinity of the regatta area, any other persons who may be affected by the regatta, and the appropriate law enforcement entity that has jurisdiction over the water body (State Police, State park police or county sheriff) of the date, time and place the regatta will be held.

(g) Permission may be granted in the regatta permit authorizing the sponsor to place equipment within the regatta area, such as buoys, markers, ski jumps, etc. However, such permission, when granted, is subject to the following provisions:

(h) Prior to commencement of the regatta, the special navigation inspectors shall inspect all equipment expected to be used. The inspection shall include boats, ski jumps, tow ropes, buoys, and any other special equipment which will be used. The inspectors shall also travel the entire course of the regatta and adjacent area in order to ascertain that there are no obstructions which may be considered unsafe. The inspectors shall read the contents of the regatta permit and pay particular attention to "special rules", if any, which the permit may contain.

(i) Any educational institution or amateur rowing association that intends to sponsor a racing shell regatta, shall use the forms provided by the bureau of marine services to notify the commissioner at least 30 days in advance of the date, place, course description, and number of entrants to each race.