Hobbies And Interests
Equipment Requirements
Canoes must be equipped with a life jacket for each person aboard, the Arizona Game and Fish Department states. The life jacket must be a U.S. Coast Guard-approved jacket, Type I, II, III, or V. The jackets must be in good condition, accessible and size appropriate with the person onboard. Children ages 12 and under must wear an USCG-approved Type I, II, or III life jacket at all times.
Operation
Canoe operations do not have many regulations, but they few they have are serious. A person under the influence of drugs or alcohol may not, under any circumstances, operate a canoe. A person found under the influence can be fined at least $1,450 and, at most, jailed for 30 days. While there is little chance a person operating a canoe with speed, the canoe must be operated in a reasonable manner, without the intention of collision or exceeding the posted speed limit.
Littering and other Violations
It is illegal to litter in Arizona's waterways. This means no dumping of garbage or waste. Take care when operating your canoe that you don't dump anything out of your canoe. In the case of such violations, any Arizona peace officer may stop and issue you a warning or citation. You must stop your canoe for the officers.
Navigation Regulations
Because a canoe is a nonmotorized watercraft, other motorized watercraft must give you the right of passage. Traffic on the waterways proceeds in a counter-clockwise method and this applies to all watercraft, not just canoes. It's permissible to paddle the canoe when passing another watercraft as long as there's enough water between the two.