Traffic rules

Wis. Stat. § 30.65
in effect
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(1) Meeting; overtaking; right-of-way. Every person operating a boat shall comply with the following traffic rules, except when deviation therefrom is necessary to comply with federal pilot rules while operating on the navigable waters of the United States: (a) When 2 motorboats are approaching each other “head and head,” or so nearly so as to involve risk of collision, each boat shall bear to the right and pass the other boat on its left side. (b) When 2 motorboats are approaching each other obliquely or at right angles, the boat which has the other on her right shall yield the right-of-way to the other. “Right” means from dead ahead, clockwise to 2 points abaft the starboard beam. (d) When a motorboat and a boat propelled entirely by sail or muscular power are proceeding in such a direction as to involve risk of collision, the motorboat shall yield the right-of-way to the other boat. (e) A boat may overtake and pass another boat on either side if it can be done with safety but the boat doing the overtaking shall yield the right-of-way to the boat being overtaken, notwithstanding any other rule in this section to the contrary. (f) A boat granted the right-of-way by this section shall maintain her course and speed, unless to do so would probably result in a collision. (2) Additional traffic rules. The department may promulgate such additional traffic rules as it deems necessary in the interest of public safety. Such rules shall conform as nearly as possible to the federal pilot rules.
Source: WI Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/30.65Fetched: 10/7/2026