---
kind: "unit"
title: "36"
title_heading: "Parks, Forests, and Public Property"
key: "chI/part3"
level: "part"
label: "Part 3"
heading: "Boating and Water Use Activities"
release: "ecfr-current"
date: "2026-08-27"
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/36/chI-part3"
sections_count: 19
---

# Part 3 — Boating and Water Use Activities

Title 36 C.F.R. — Parks, Forests, and Public Property › Chapter I — National Park Service, Department of the Interior

## Sections

- [§3.1. What is the applicability and scope of this part?](/cfr/36/3.1.md)
- [§3.2. Do other boating laws and regulations apply to me when I operate my boat on park waters?](/cfr/36/3.2.md)
- [§3.3. Am I required to obtain a permit to operate a vessel in a park area?](/cfr/36/3.3.md)
- [§3.4. For what purposes may my vessel be inspected?](/cfr/36/3.4.md)
- [§3.5. Do I have to report an accident involving a vessel to the National Park Service?](/cfr/36/3.5.md)
- [§3.6. What are the requirements to operate a power driven vessel?](/cfr/36/3.6.md)
- [§3.7. What are the NPS Personal Floatation Device (PFD) requirements?](/cfr/36/3.7.md)
- [§3.8. What vessel operations are prohibited?](/cfr/36/3.8.md)
- [§3.9. May I operate my personal watercraft (PWC) in park waters?](/cfr/36/3.9.md)
- [§3.10. What are the regulations regarding operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs?](/cfr/36/3.10.md)
- [§3.11. When is testing for alcohol or drugs required?](/cfr/36/3.11.md)
- [§3.12. May I use a vessel to tow a person for water skiing or other similar activities?](/cfr/36/3.12.md)
- [§3.13. What conditions apply to the use of Marine Sanitation Devices (MSD)?](/cfr/36/3.13.md)
- [§3.14. Am I required to remove a sunken, grounded, or disabled vessel?](/cfr/36/3.14.md)
- [§3.15. What is the maximum noise level for the operation of a vessel?](/cfr/36/3.15.md)
- [§3.16. May I swim or wade in park waters?](/cfr/36/3.16.md)
- [§3.17. What regulations apply to swimming areas and beaches?](/cfr/36/3.17.md)
- [§3.18. May I snorkel or underwater dive in park waters?](/cfr/36/3.18.md)
- [§3.19. May I operate a submersible within park waters?](/cfr/36/3.19.md)