Interstate Boating and Trailering

[opie]

With summer dreaming of possible trips comes a question about how strict the boating/trailering laws are north of North Carolina.

I am spoiled I suppose that I have never been boarded or bothered by any law enforcement agency in all my years in local waters here in NC and SC.

If I travel to VA and beyond up to Vermont, is there anything to be aware of in those areas and waters?
Namely:
Are there checkpoints on highways or ramps or water for:
- trailer braking system?
- invasive species on trailer or boat?
- flares if inland?
- sanitation systems while on water?
- out of the ordinary CG safety checks?

[Tomfoolery]

- sanitation systems while on water?

My FIL was boarded and fined on his 42 ft Kadey-Krogen on Lake Champlain because even though his macerator was valved off and the handle secured, there wasn't an air gap in the plumbing to the discharge thru hull. Would have been a huge fine if it was not valved off at all, even though he wasn't dumping overboard. Might want to check on the rules about black tanks, porta-potties, etc. for wherever you're sailing.

Edit: Toronto waters are technically off limits for porta potties, so I got a porta potty that's actually a MSD, with pump out and vent plumbed to the deck.

[OverEasy]

Hi Opie!

Each state has slightly different rules even if you are up on the interstates.
The guys traveling fast ( even within speed limit) & towing big things generally get the most attention.

Lake Champlain has implemented a no dump policy and funded several free pump out locations at marinas around the lake.
They will pump out Port-o-let’s too.
Some marinas will allow one to manually dump into a sanitary pipe. Just check with the marina as rules can change.
No grey water dumping into the lake.

Best Regards
Over Easy