N.Y. Navigation Law Section 49-C
Termination of unsafe operation

A police officer or peace officer, acting pursuant to his or her special duties, who has reasonable cause to believe that a vessel, including a rowboat, canoe or kayak, is being operated, in his or her presence, upon the navigable waters of the state, or any tidewaters bordering on or lying within the boundaries of the county of Nassau or Suffolk, in violation of any section of this article, and that it would be so imminently hazardous to continue to operate such vessel as to be likely to cause an accident or physical injury, may direct the master or operator of such vessel to cease operating upon such waters, and to proceed immediately to dock the vessel at the nearest available safe anchorage, dock or mooring until the violation charged by such officer is finally adjudicated or until such hazardous condition is remediated or otherwise corrected.

Source: Section 49-C — Termination of unsafe operation, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/NAV/49-C (updated Sep. 22, 2014; accessed Feb. 28, 2026).

40
Equipment 40–A
Manufacture and sale of outboard motors 40–B
Sale and use of tributyltin paint 41
Pilot rules 42
Searchlights 42–A
Tow-chains 43
Lights to be displayed 43–A
Use of digital billboards 44
Noise levels on pleasure vessels 45
Reckless operation of a vessel 45–A
Beaching a disabled water craft 45–AA
Special provisions relating to reckless operation and speed on Canandaigua lake 45–AAA
Special provisions relating to speed on Irondequoit bay 45–AAAA
Special provisions relating to reckless operation and speed on Greenwood Lake 45–AAAA*2
Special provisions relating to speed on Sodus Bay 45–AAAAA
Special provisions relating to reckless operation and speed on Lake Alice 45–AAAAAA
Special provisions relating to noise and speed on Lamoka Lake and Waneta Lake 45–AAAAAA*2
Special provisions relating to reckless operation, noise and speed on the Fulton Chain of Lakes 45–B
Regulation of beaches 45–C
Special provisions relating to reckless operation and speed on Conesus lake 45–CC
Reckless operation and speed on the canal system 45–D
Special provisions relating to speed at Crooke’s Point in Great Kills Harbor 46
Vessel regulation zone 46–A
Regulations of vessels 46–AA
Special provisions relating to speed on lakes in Chautauqua county 46–AAA
Special provisions relating to reckless operation and speed on certain lakes in Hamilton county 46–AAAA
Special provisions relating to speed on Cuba lake 46–B
Special provisions relating to speed on Saratoga lake 47
Leaving the scene of an accident without reporting 47–A
Accidents 47–B
Report to the commissioner required upon accident 48
Negligence in use or operation of vessel attributable to owner 49
Operator 49–A
Operation of a vessel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs 49–B
Operating a vessel after having consumed alcohol 49–C
Termination of unsafe operation 49–D
Application
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Verified:
Feb. 28, 2026

Last modified:
Sep. 22, 2014

§ 49-C. Termination of unsafe operation's source at nysenate​.gov

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