Inspection of Vessels
Texas Parks and Wildlife Code 31.124 provides guidelines for enforcement officers conducting inspections on vessels within Texas state waters. Below is the full text of the statute.
Full Text of Texas Parks and Wildlife Code 31.124
Sec. 31.124. INSPECTION OF VESSELS.
(a) In order to enforce the provisions of this chapter, an enforcement officer may stop and board any vessel subject to this chapter and may inspect the boat to determine compliance with applicable provisions.
(b) An officer boarding a vessel shall first identify himself by presenting proper credentials.
(c) The operator of a vessel required by this chapter to hold a certificate of number aboard the vessel shall show the certificate to the officer on demand, and failure to do so constitutes a violation of this chapter.
(d) No person operating a boat on the water of this state may refuse to obey the directions of an enforcement officer when the officer is acting under the provisions of this chapter.
(e) The safety of the vessel shall always be the paramount consideration of an arresting officer.
(f) If an enforcement officer determines that a vessel and its associated equipment is being used in violation of this chapter or of any regulation or standard issued thereunder so as to create an especially hazardous condition, he may direct the operator to return to mooring, and the vessel may not be used until the condition creating the violation is corrected.
Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1405, ch. 545, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1975.
Research and Analysis
Section 31.124 grants enforcement officers significant authority to board and inspect vessels on Texas waters to ensure compliance with safety and registration requirements.
Key points of interest include the requirement for officers to present credentials before boarding and the ability to direct a vessel back to mooring if deemed hazardous. This provision also allows inspections to be conducted without probable cause or reasonable suspicion.