NAVIGATION OF THE HARBOR (10-40-090 et seq.)

Municipal Code of Chicago tit. 10, ch. 10-40, art. II

in effect

Municipal Code of Chicago § 10-40-090 Control of vessels in harbor.

10-40-090 Control of vessels in harbor. The commissioner of transportation shall give such orders and directions relative to the location, change of place or station, manner of moving or use of the harbor of or by every vessel, craft, or float lying, moving or laid up in the harbor, as may be necessary to promote good order therein and the safety and equal convenience of such vessels, craft, or floats, and to so regulate the same that the current in the Chicago River shall not be unnecessarily impeded by said vessels, craft, or floats. He shall have power to remove any vessel, craft, or float lying at any dock, wharf, or pier, while receiving or discharging cargo or otherwise engaged, when necessary so to do to facilitate the movement of traffic in the harbor; to tie up any vessel so deeply loaded as to interrupt the traffic at the bridges or in the harbor until such a time as the vessel shall have been lightened or a rise of water in the harbor may enable it to proceed; and, to stop at any time or place vessels, craft, or floats which are passing through the harbor, so as to prevent a jam or blockade. (Prior code § 38-13; Amend Coun. J. 12-11-91, p. 10832)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 10-40-091 Insurance requirements.

10-40-091 Insurance requirements. No person shall rent a vessel within the harbor, or provide fishing, entertainment or passenger services on a vessel within the harbor, for monetary or other consideration, without first: (1) obtaining commercial general liability insurance, issued by an insurer authorized to insure in Illinois, with limits of not less than $1,000,000.00 per occurrence for bodily injury and property damage or in an amount and form approved by the risk manager in the department of finance; and (2) filing with the commissioner of transportation proof of the required insurance. In addition to the requirements stated above, and apart from and separate from any insurance requirement under this section, any person providing any of the services above-mentioned shall indemnify, defend and hold the City of Chicago and its assignees and employees harmless from all losses, damages, injuries, claims, demands and expenses arising out of the person's use of the harbor, rental of vessels and providing of services described in this section. The risk manager shall not approve any form of insurance under this section unless: (1) the City of Chicago is named as additional insured on a primary, noncontributory basis for any liability or claim arising directly or indirectly from the person's use of the harbor, rental of vessels and providing of services described in this section; and (2) the policy of insurance requires at least 30 days' prior notice of cancellation to every insured. (Added Coun. J. 12-10-97, p. 59008; Amend Coun. J. 10-28-15, p. 11951, Art. VI, § 42; Amend Coun. J. 11-16-16, p. 37901, Art. II, § 41)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 10-40-100 Obstruction of harbor by vessels.

10-40-100 Obstruction of harbor by vessels. No vessel, craft, or float shall be moored, laid, brought to a stop, or anchored within the harbor so as to prevent the passage of any other vessel, craft, or float; nor shall any vessel, craft, or float be so moored, laid, brought to a stop, or anchored, as to range against, injure, interfere with, or hinder the opening or closing of any bridge across the river or any branch thereof; nor shall any vessel, craft, or float be so navigated, when winding, as to strike or come in contact with any bridge, bridge abutment, center pier, or the piles or other protection thereof. (Prior code § 38-14)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 10-40-110 Obstruction of harbor by piles or stones.

10-40-110 Obstruction of harbor by piles or stones. Every pile, timber, stone, or other substance placed or laid so as to project above or below the surface of the waters of the harbor or any part thereof or beyond any dock line established by the City Council, is hereby declared a nuisance; and every person who shall place or lay any such pile, timber, stone, or substance as aforesaid, or be the owner of any premises on which the same shall be so placed or laid, shall be fined not less than $500.00 and not more than $1,000.00 for every such violation. Every day that such nuisance remains shall be a separate violation. (Prior code § 38-15; Amend Coun. J. 12-11-91, p. 10832; Amend Coun. J. 11-24-20, p. 24619, Art. III, § 1)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 10-40-120 Securing and removal of vessels.

10-40-120 Securing and removal of vessels. Whenever there shall be in the harbor any vessel, craft, or float insecurely fastened, adrift, sunken, or laid up, which may be required to be fastened, raised, removed or its location changed, for the benefit of other vessels navigating the river or to carry out the provisions of this Code, the harbor master shall notify the owner, master, or other person who may be in charge thereof, and he shall secure, raise, or remove such vessel, craft, or float without delay. But if the harbormaster should be unable to find the master, owner, or person in charge of such vessel, craft, or float as aforesaid, or if no person answering such description can be found by him, such notice shall not be required, and the commissioner of transportation may remove such vessel, and such vessel shall be held for all expenses and costs. (Prior code § 38-16; Amend Coun. J. 12-11-91, p. 10832)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 10-40-130 Sunken or abandoned vessels.

10-40-130 Sunken or abandoned vessels. Every vessel, craft or float which has been abandoned or allowed to sink in the harbor is hereby declared to be a nuisance. The master, owner, or person in charge or control of any such vessel, craft, or float shall immediately abate such nuisance upon notice from the commissioner of transportation. Every three days such nuisance shall continue after notice from the commissioner of transportation to abate the same shall constitute a separate and distinct offense. (Prior code § 38-17; Amend Coun. J. 12-11-91, p. 10832)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 10-40-131 Assistance to disabled vessels - Fees.

10-40-131 Assistance to disabled vessels - Fees. The owner or master of any disabled vessel shall pay to the city the following fees for the following services to the vessel: Extinguishing fire on board.....$300.00 Towing.....$500.00 Pumping water from vessel.....$100.00 (Added Coun. J. 11-10-94, p. 59125; Amend Coun. J. 12-15-04, p. 39840, § 1)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 10-40-140 Raft of logs or lumber in harbor.

10-40-140 Raft of logs or lumber in harbor. No person shall leave any raft of logs, lumber, or timber within the harbor where it shall be or become an obstruction, and any person having charge of any raft of logs, lumber, or timber shall remove or change the location of the raft upon the order of the commissioner of transportation. (Prior code § 38-18; Amend Coun. J. 12-11-91, p. 10832)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 10-40-150 Tugs for vessels.

10-40-150 Tugs for vessels. All wind-driven vessels, craft, or floats navigating the harbor, for which the opening of any bridge may be necessary, shall, while approaching and passing such bridge, be towed by a power tug or self-propelled by a vessel's motor. Any other vessel, craft, or float navigating that portion of the harbor bound by the Outer Drive Bridge on the east, the Van Buren Street Bridge on the south,and the Kinzie Street Bridge on the north, all inclusive, shall have the assistance of a tug or tugs at all such times, and under such conditions as the Commissioner of Transportation shall by general order from time to time prescribe, and also in any specific instance where the harbormaster or assistant harbormaster shall specially so direct. It shall be unlawful for any such vessel, craft, or float to back through any bridge draw in the harbor without the assistance of a tug or tugs, unless the Commissioner of Transportation shall have given his consent thereto; the Commissioner of Transportation may give such consent whenever in his judgment it seems advisable. Any person owning or in charge, possession or control of any such vessel, craft, or float violating any of the provisions of this section, shall be fined $5,000.00 for each offense. (Prior code § 38-19; Amend Coun. J. 12-11-91, p. 10832; Amend Coun. J. 11-24-20, p. 24619, Art. III, § 1)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 10-40-160 Towing - Permits.

10-40-160 Towing - Permits. No person shall tow in the harbor, any vessel, craft or float containing material destined to be disposed of in the authorized dumping areas, without a permit from the department of transportation. The fee for each permit shall be $16.00 per day and the day shall consist of eight hours. (Prior code § 38-20; Amend Coun. J. 12-11-91, p. 10832)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 10-40-170 Towing - Procedures.

10-40-170 Towing - Procedures. It shall be unlawful for any vessel, craft or float to tow more than two barges or similar craft in one tow within the harbor, except that tows which consist of barges that are fastened rigidly together to form a single unit for the purpose of being towed may be towed in the main sanitary and ship canal and the west fork of the south branch of the Chicago River to and including the South Ashland Avenue turning basin; in the Little Calumet and Calumet Rivers to and including turning basin number five at 129th Street; and in Chicago and Calumet Outer Harbors; provided that the total width and length of such tows do not exceed 80 and 500 feet respectively. (Prior code § 38-21)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 10-40-180 Interference with dredging machine.

10-40-180 Interference with dredging machine. No owner, master, or other person in charge of or in command of any tugboat or towing boat in the harbor shall run, or cause to be run, such tugboat or towing boat, or anything that they may have in tow, upon, against, or over any rope, chain, or other fastening, mooring, dredge or other machine used by the city, or the United States Government, for deepening, widening, and improving the harbor, so that the said dredge or other machine shall be displaced, hindered, or delayed in the working thereof. (Prior code § 38-22)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 10-40-190 Assistance for fouled vessel.

10-40-190 Assistance for fouled vessel. If any vessel, craft, or float, either by winding or from any other cause, shall get foul and obstruct the navigation or passage of other vessels, craft, or floats, the commissioner of transportation shall have power and is hereby authorized to order to his assistance men and tackle from any other vessel, craft, or float. The commissioner of transportation shall have power and is hereby authorized to order to his assistance any tugboat or other powerboat that may be in the vicinity or passing at the time. Every master or officer of such boat, craft, or tug shall render the assistance so ordered, and any vessel, craft, or float receiving such assistance shall pay to the person or persons rendering the same the cost or expense of such assistance, the amount thereof to be fixed by the commissioner of transportation. Any person violating any of the provisions of this section shall be fined not less than $25.00 nor more than $50.00 for the first offense, and not more than $75.00 for each subsequent offense. (Prior code § 38-23; Amend Coun. J. 12-11-91, p. 10832)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 10-40-200 Anchor dragging.

10-40-200 Anchor dragging. All vessels, craft, or float while navigating the harbor shall not drag their anchors, nor shall any tugboat or towboat tow any vessel, craft, or float in the harbor whose anchor is dragging. The master, owner, or person in control of any vessel operated in violation of this section shall be fined not less than $500.00 nor more than $1,000.00 for each offense. (Prior code § 38-24; Amend Coun. J. 11-24-20, p. 24619, Art. III, § 1)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 10-40-210 Moving vessel before bridge opening.

10-40-210 Moving vessel before bridge opening. Whenever any person having charge of any vessel, craft, or float shall wish to move it past any bridge, reasonable time shall be allowed for the opening of the bridge, and any person who shall move any vessel, craft, or float against any bridge before it shall be opened and shall injure the bridge shall be liable to the city for that injury in addition to any fine which may be levied. (Prior code § 38-25)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 10-40-220 Names on boats.

10-40-220 Names on boats. It shall be unlawful for any master, owner, or person in possession, charge, or control of any vessel, craft, or float to operate, navigate, keep, or maintain the same in the harbor unless the same shall have a name plainly and conspicuously displayed thereon which shall be large enough and in such a position as to be readily distinguishable and readable on both sides or from the rear thereof for a distance of at least 500 feet, and such name shall be of such distinctive character that any such vessel, craft, or float may be readily identified by it. Any person violating this section shall be fined $100.00 for each offense. (Prior code § 38-26; Amend Coun. J. 11-24-20, p. 24619, Art. III, § 1)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 10-40-230 Working vessel engines.

10-40-230 Working vessel engines. No steam vessel or other power craft while lying in the harbor or along the wharves or docks of the same shall work its engines; provided, that owners, masters, or other persons in charge of boats fitting out and desirous of working and testing their engines shall, before working or testing any such engine, station some person in such a place or position as will enable him to signal the engineer to stop such engine. Such engine shall be kept from working until all approaching vessels, craft, or floats shall have passed the wheel of said boat or boats by a distance of 200 feet. These provisions shall not apply to cases of fire. (Prior code § 38-27)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 10-40-240 Smoking prohibited on waterfront.

10-40-240 Smoking prohibited on waterfront. It shall be unlawful for any person to smoke, carry or possess a lighted cigarette, cigar, pipe or match upon any bulkhead, dock, shipyard, pier, wharf, warehouse or shed, except such portions thereof as may be designated by the harbormaster, or to smoke, carry or possess a lighted cigarette, cigar, pipe or match on board any ship, lighter, scow, or other similar floating craft or equipment when berthed or moored at any dock, wharf, pier, or to a vessel made fast thereto, within the harbor. (Prior code § 38-27.1)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 10-40-250 Boat whistles.

10-40-250 Boat whistles. Any vessel, craft, or float navigating the harbor shall be equipped with a whistle for signalling purposes which shall not be heard distinctly in ordinary weather at a distance of more than one-quarter of a mile. No person shall blow the whistle of any vessel, craft, or float at any time except as a signal to a bridge tender, or as a signal of danger, or as prescribed by the laws and regulations of the United States, and as provided by this Code. (Prior code § 38-28)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 10-40-260 Operation restrictions.

10-40-260 Operation restrictions. No person shall operate, or authorize or knowingly permit the operation of, a vessel upon the waters of Lake Michigan or upon any waterway within the city: (a) in such a manner as to endanger the life or limb, or damage the property, of others; or (b) in such a careless or heedless manner as to be grossly indifferent to the person or property of others; or (c) in such a manner as to disturb or destroy the peace and quiet of others; or (d) within any area which has been marked by buoys or other distinguishing devices as a restricted area, except in case of emergency or for the purpose of entering or leaving any harbor or launching ramp; or (e) within 150 feet of the shoreline of any public park or within 300 feet of any bathing beach, except in case of emergency or for the purpose of entering or leaving a pier, slip launching or docking area; or (f) by a person under the age of 16 years unless properly supervised by an adult or as permitted by state law; or (g) without yielding the right-of-way to any swimmer; or (h) without complying with all applicable state and federal safety equipment requirements, including the requirements regarding personal flotation devices; or (i) in violation of posted restrictions on wake or speed; or (j) unless each occupant of a vessel used for recreational purposes is wearing an approved personal flotation device as defined in the Boat Registration and Safety Act, codified at 625 ILCS 45/1-l et seq., as amended. Provided, however, that this requirement shall not apply to persons who are (1) below deck, or (2) in a totally enclosed cabin space. Provided, further, that this requirement shall not apply to the occupants of (i) any commercial passenger vessel licensed under Chapter 4-250 of this Code, (ii) any vessel used for recreational purposes that is being operated on private property, (iii) any vessel used for recreational purposes that is docked, or (iv) any vessel used for recreational purposes that is 21 feet or more in length. For purposes of this subsection (j), the term "vessel used for recreational purposes" means any watercraft, sailboat, recreational boat, personal watercraft or specialty prop-craft as defined in the Boat Registration and Safety Act, as amended. Any person who shall violate any provision of this section shall be fined not less than $100.00 nor more than $1,500.00, or imprisoned for not less than ten days nor more than six months, or both, for each offense. (Prior code § 38-29; Amend Coun. J. 12-10-97, p. 59008; Amend Coun. J. 9-9-09, p. 70529, § 1)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 10-40-261 Restrictions on wake of vessels.

10-40-261 Restrictions on wake of vessels. (a) No person shall operate a vessel in such a way that the boat creates a wake in any of the following areas in the Lake Michigan portions of the Chicago Harbor or upon any waterway within the City, except in the case of an actual emergency: (1) within 150 feet of any buoy marking a bathing beach or swimming area; (2) within 150 feet of the shoreline or a breakwater; (3) within 150 feet of any other vessel; (4) within 150 feet of any boat launching ramp; (5) within 150 feet of any portion of the Chicago River Locks structure; (6) west of the east line of Navy Pier, between the south line of Navy Pier and the south line of the Chicago River locks structure; (7) west of the east line of Navy Pier, between the north line of Navy Pier and the south line of the Jardine Water Filtration Plant; (8) the main branch of the Chicago River, from the Chicago River controlling Locks west to Wolf Point L, the junction of the main north and south branches. (9) the south branch of the Chicago River, from Wolf Point to the Lake Street Bridge. (10) the north branch of the Chicago River, from Wolf Point to the Kinzie Street Bridge. (11) at any other location where no wake signs or markings are posted by the commissioner of transportation pursuant to subsection (b) of this section. (b) The commissioner of transportation shall post appropriate markings or signs to identify the no-wake areas listed in subsection (a) of this section. The commissioner may also mark additional no-wake areas as directed from time to time by the city council, and where an appropriate state or federal agency indicates the need for such restriction. All such signs and markings shall comply with applicable state and federal regulations; (c) Any person who violates any provision of subsection (a) of this section shall be subject to a fine of not less than $100.00 and not more than $500.00. (Added Coun. J. 12-10-97, p.59008; Amend Coun. J. 7-29-98, p. 75119; Amend Coun. J. 11-8-12, p. 38872, § 193)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 10-40-270 Interference with buoys.

10-40-270 Interference with buoys. It shall be unlawful for any person to take possession of or make use of for any purpose, alter, deface, destroy, move, injure, obstruct by fastening a boat or vessel thereto or otherwise tie a boat or vessel to, or in any manner whatever impair the usefulness of, any bridge, any special purpose buoy or any marine navigational aid established and maintained by the City of Chicago, Chicago Park District, or any subdivision of said governments. (Prior code § 38-29.1)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 10-40-280 Rules for vessels in harbor.

10-40-280 Rules for vessels in harbor. All vessels, craft, or floats lying in or navigating the harbor shall be respectively governed by the following further provisions: (a) Every vessel using steam shall have its smoke pipe or pipes so constructed and managed as to prevent sparks or coals of fire escaping therefrom, and shall be moved slowly at a speed not exceeding four miles per hour under a low head of steam. Every tugboat or steam vessel used chiefly for towing shall have a joint in its smoke pipe or pipes, and shall be constructed in all respects in such a manner as to be able to pass under any bridge which is not less than 13 feet above the surface of the water. (b) No master or other person owning or having charge of any vessel, craft, or float shall leave the same in the harbor without having on board or in charge thereof some competent person to control, manage and secure the same, without first obtaining permission of the harbormaster. (c) All vessels, craft, or floats, whether using steam or otherwise, while lying in the harbor, shall have and keep their anchors on board, and their lower yards cockbilled, and the upper yards braced up sharp. They shall likewise have and keep out on board during the night time a conspicuous white light, and shall have extinguished or safely secured at dark all fires which may be kept on board. (d) No vessel, craft, or float shall be suffered to lie in the harbor adrift or insecurely fastened. (e) Vessels, craft, or floats moving with the current shall have the right-of-way. (f) In case one vessel desires to pass another going in the same direction in the harbor the pilot of the vessel astern shall give the proper signal, indicating the side upon which he wishes to pass. Upon the pilot of one vessel astern of another giving such signal, the pilot of the vessel ahead shall immediately answer by giving the same signal; but if he does think it safe for the vessel astern to attempt to pass at that point he shall immediately signify the same by giving several short and rapid blasts of the whistle, and under no circumstances shall the steamer astern attempt to pass the steamer ahead until such time as they have reached a point where it can be safely done, when such vessel ahead shall signify her willingness by blowing the proper signals and the vessel astern shall pass the overtaken vessel, giving the overtaken vessel as wide a berth as possible. (g) The vessel dispatcher shall keep a record of the movements of all vessels and through the bridge telephone operators give such directions to the bridge tenders or persons in charge of the bridges in regard to the opening of bridges that the provisions of this Code may be carried out. (h) Vessels exceeding 200 tons navigating the harbor shall not proceed at a speed greater than four miles per hour. (Prior code § 38-030)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 10-40-281 Advertising vessels.

10-40-281 Advertising vessels. (a) For purposes of this section the following terms shall have the following meanings: (1) "Advertising sign" means any sign displayed on a watercraft, other than: (A) The name of the watercraft and any required licensing, registration or identification markings displayed on the watercraft; or (B) A sign identifying the owner of the watercraft and the principal business, occupation, service, commodity or entertainment conducted, sold or offered on the watercraft. (2) "Advertising vessel" means any boat, barge, raft or other watercraft designed or used for the display of one or more advertising signs. (3) "Chicago Harbor" means the harbor defined in Section 10-40-010 of this Code. (b) No person shall operate or cause to be operated any advertising vessel within the Chicago Harbor. Violation of this section shall constitute a nuisance, and the corporation counsel is authorized to prosecute an action in the appropriate court for injunction against continuation thereof. In addition, any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be fined not less than $200.00 and not more than $500.00 for each offense. Each day that a violation shall continue shall constitute a separate and distinct offense. (Added Coun. J. 10-31-90, p. 22657)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 10-40-290 Houseboats.

10-40-290 Houseboats. No person shall occupy any vessel, craft, or float upon the waters of the harbor as a residence, or for the purpose of engaging in any business, trade, or traffic for any purpose whatsoever, without first obtaining a license so to do. The license shall be posted and remain at all times in a conspicuous place in or on the vessel, craft, or float. Any person violating this section shall be fined $200.00, and each and every day on which such violation shall continue shall constitute a separate and distinct offense. (Prior code § 38-31; Amend Coun. J. 11-24-20, p. 24619, Art. III, § 1)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 10-40-300 Tunneling under Lake Michigan.

10-40-300 Tunneling under Lake Michigan. Every person performing or undertaking the work of tunnel construction under the water of Lake Michigan and within the jurisdiction of the city, and maintaining a crib in connection with such work, shall, whenever such person shall have persons employed on or about such crib or in any portion of the tunnel which is so connected with such crib that persons employed therein may pass therefrom in or onto such crib, provide on or at such crib a sufficient number of boats, of adequate and suitable design, to safely transport and convey all persons engaged in working in and about such tunnel construction to the mainland. Any person violating this section shall be fined $1,000.00 for each offense, and a separate and distinct offense shall be regarded as committed each day that such violation shall continue. (Prior code § 38-32; Amend Coun. J. 11-24-20, p. 24619, Art. III, § 1)

Source: City of Chicago, Municipal Code of Chicago (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/chicago/latest/chicago_il/0-0-0-2653482Fetched: 10/24/2026