The weather is getting nicer and many of you look forward to spending time on the lake. This summer, you can expect to see much more of the Spokane County Marine Enforcement Unit on the lake as well.
Deputy James Ebel, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Marine Enforcement Unit Coordinator, commented, “The Spokane County Sheriff Marine Enforcement Unit has the equipment needed to test the decibel level of any vessel while on the water.” He also mentioned that his department is very aware of the issues with the stand-up jet skis on Liberty Lake and “plan on spending much more time out there this summer.”
The following information was sent by Deputy Ebel for me to share with our readers.
This information can be located on the Washington State Legislature website:
https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=79A.60.130
(1) All motor-propelled vessels shall be equipped and maintained with an effective muffler that is in good working order and in constant use. For the purpose of this section, an effective muffler or underwater exhaust system does not produce sound levels in excess of ninety decibels when subjected to a stationary sound level test that shall be prescribed by rules adopted by the commission, as of July 25, 1993, and for engines manufactured on or after January 1, 1994, a noise level of eighty-eight decibels when subjected to a stationary sound level test that shall be prescribed by rules adopted by the commission.
(2) A vessel that does not meet the requirements of subsection (1) of this section shall not be operated on the waters of this state.
(3) No person may operate a vessel on waters of the state in such a manner as to exceed a noise level of seventy-five decibels measured from any point on the shoreline of the body of water on which the vessel is being operated that shall be specified by rules adopted by the commission, as of July 25, 1993. Such measurement shall not preclude a stationary sound level test that shall be prescribed by rules adopted by the commission.
