Please practice responsible boating and water safety. Make sure your guests and tenants are aware of these regulations. These ordinances and regulations are not produced or enforced by BLDMD. Please contact the appropriate authorities to report infractions.
Town of Exeter Boating Ordinances
Horsepower: 50 horsepower maximum. Direction of travel: Counter-clockwise for all motorized boats. Speed:
30 mph maximum speed limit.
5 mph maximum speed limit in Main Beach Cove and South Cove.
Water skiing:
Water skiing is NOT allowed in Main Beach Cove or South Cove area except for picking-up and dropping-off water skiers and skiing directly away from or toward the shore.
No more than two water skiers allowed per boat.
Erection of structures or devices in connection with water skiing is NOT allowed.
Night-time operation: (9 PM to 8:30 AM)
5 mph maximum speed limit.
All boats over 16 feet must have proper running lights.
Smaller boats must have a hand-held lantern.
Weather: No boat shall be operated under power when visibility is restricted by fog or other conditions to less than 50 feet. Swimming: All swimming must take place within 50 feet of shoreline unless accompanied by and within 15 feet of a boat. Scuba diving: Scuba diving is permitted in the Main Beach Cove area only, except in the case of emergencies.
State of Rhode Island DEM Regulations
Registration for boats: All motorized boats must display current and valid registration and numbers. This includes electric motorized boats. Life preservers:
One wearable Coast Guard approved life jacket per person in every boat (powerboat, canoe, kayak, paddleboat, etc.).
Children 10 years of age and under must wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket at all times.
Spotters: Any boat pulling one or two water skiers, watertubes, surfboards, wakeboards, etc. must have a spotter 12 years of age or older who is qualified to observe. Safety equipment: Fire extinguishers and flares are required where applicable. Right of way: Motorized boats must give right of way to all unmotorized boats. Personal Watercraft: Jet skis & other motorized watercraft that a rider sits or stands on, rather than inside of as in a boat, CANNOT be operated on Boone Lake due to requirements of state statutes governing clearance from boats, the shoreline, and swimmers.
How to Report Violations
Boone Lake residents must follow the rules located in the Exeter RI Code of Ordinances Chapter 50 and Article II and RIDEM regulations listed below. The BLDMD has no authority to change or enforce these rules so please report any concerns/violations to the appropriate authorities listed below.
Town of Exeter Ordinance Violations or Criminal Concerns:
State Police, Hope Valley Barracks: 444-1068
Town of Exeter Zoning Violations:
401-294-2592
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) Violations or Concern: