That was on the California Delta. There was no posted speed limit, but there are state and Federal regulations, not to mention common sense. The ferry incident is very clearly in violation of the regulation limiting speed to 5mph if you're within 200 feet of a boat at a dock (see below). As for the fishing boat situation, I took the photo from the bridge of our boat, so you can the difference in our respective wake, which means we slowed down. FWIW the photo shows only two of probably a dozen fishing boats either anchored or trolling in that particular slough.
It's all too easy to toss someone out of a small boat with your wake, especially if they're anchored. Had that fishing boat been anchored, the occupants could have ended up in the water. I've been in the situation of that fishing boat many times and it's just plain irresponsible on the part of the other boat operator. That day was a weekday and we took 3 hours to make what would normally be a 90 minute journey - because we slowed down for all the small fishing boats. Sometimes they're hidden behind a berm or some vegetation and they're not visible until it's too late to prevent a big wake, but these boats were all in plain sight.
As for being closer to shore, the respective boating regulations say that, as long as they're not blocking more than 75% of the navigable channel, they have the same right to be there that I or anyone else has.
The object of this discussion was merely to raise the awareness of boaters of the need to be conscious of their wake.
Excerpt from the California boating law:
655.2. Speed limit for vessels in certain areas. (a) Every owner, operator, or person in command of any vessel propelled by machinery is guilty of a misdemeanor who uses it, or permits it to be used, at a speed in excess of five miles per hour in any portion of the following areas not otherwise regulated by local rules and regulations:
(1) Within 100 feet of any person who is engaged in the act of bathing. A person engaged in the sport of water skiing shall not be considered as engaged in the act of bathing for the purposes of this section.
(2) Within 200 feet of any of the following:
(A) A beach frequented by bathers.
(B) A swimming float, diving platform, or lifeline.
(C) A way or landing float to which boats are made fast or which is being used for the embarkation or discharge of passengers.
(b) This section does not apply to vessels engaged in direct law enforcement activities which are displaying the lights prescribed by Section 652.5. Those vessels are also exempt from any locally imposed speed regulation adopted pursuant to Section 660.
