Exemption to authorized emergency vessels.
Seattle Mun. Code § 16.48.010
in effect16.48.010 - Exemption to authorized emergency vessels.
The provisions of this title shall be applicable to the operation of any and all vessels in the harbor of the City except that they shall not apply in the following cases:
To any authorized emergency vessel actually responding to an emergency call or in immediate pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law, within the purpose for which such emergency vessel has been authorized; provided, that the provisions of this section shall not relieve the operator of an authorized emergency vessel of the duty to operate with due regard for the safety of all persons using the City harbor, nor shall it protect the operator of any such emergency vessel from the consequence of a reckless disregard for the safety of others; provided further, the provisions of this section shall in no event extend any special privilege or immunity in operation of an authorized emergency vessel for any purpose other than for which the same has been authorized.
(Ord. 120023 § 79, 2000; Ord. 87983, § 56, 1959.)
Source: City of Seattle, Seattle Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/wa/seattle/codes/municipal_code?nodeId=TIT16HACO_CH16.48EMVEPO_16.48.010EXAUEMVEFetched: 11/1/2026