SB48.html

To amend Article 1 of Chapter 7 of Title 52 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to the registration, operation, and sale of watercraft, so as to exempt certain types of vessels from certain requirements relating to lifesaving devices; to change the penalty for operating certain vessels after the privilege to do so has been suspended; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Article 1 of Chapter 7 of Title 52 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to the registration, operation, and sale of watercraft, is amended by striking in its entirety paragraph (1) of subsection (d) of Code Section 52-7-8, relating to classifications of vessels and required equipment, and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
"(1) Every vessel shall be equipped with and carry aboard, at all times, at least one Type I, II, III, or V (hybrid) personal flotation device for each person on board; provided, however, Type V (hybrid) devices are acceptable only when worn and securely fastened. In addition to the individual personal flotation device, each vessel, except for personal watercraft, as such term is defined in subsection (a) of Code Section 52-7-8.2, canoes, and kayaks, must at all times be equipped with at least one Type IV (throwable) device."

Said article is further amended by striking in its entirety subsection (c) of Code Section 52-7-12.6, relating to the terms of suspensions of operating privileges, the return of such privileges; and the operation of vessels when such privileges are suspended, and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
"(c) Any person who operates a vessel or personal watercraft on any of the waters of this state at a time when such person´s privilege to do so has been suspended shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not less than $500.00 nor more than $1,000.00; provided, however, that for a second and each subsequent conviction within a five year period measured from the date of the previous arrest upon which a conviction was obtained to the date of the current arrest, such person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature and shall be punished by a fine of not less than $1,000.00 nor more than $1,500.00. The period suspension of the privilege to operate a vessel on the waters of the state of any person convicted under this subsection shall be extended for an additional six months for each such conviction."