Safety Education

Boating Safety is a major concern for the Lake Norman Marine Commission. Our mission is to make the lake as safe as possible for all to enjoy.

The Lake Norman Marine Commission works with various agencies around the lake to make as many boating safety courses as possible available to the public. You will see a list of these courses, below.

There are no white lines, street signs, or stop lights! Boating can be more challenging than driving a car, but there still are rules of the road.

Check out these short videos!

Safe Boat Basics and Safety Information

Numbered and lighted channel markers for both the main lake and major creeks begin at Cowens Ford Dam and continue northward to Buffalo Shoals Bridge. Keep the RED triangular marker on the boat’s starboard (right) side and GREEN rectangular markers on the port (left) when proceeding up lake or when entering a channel from the main body of water. Creek channel marker numbers will get higher as you travel away from the main channel. DO NOT pass between the marker and the shore. There are also lighted and unlighted danger markers indicating a shoal or rocks. DO NOT go near these markers.

  • Lake levels are controlled by Duke Energy and can vary as much as 8 feet in normal operation. They are generally drawn down during the fall and winter months.
  • Debris may be floating in the lake Use extreme caution when navigating the lake following an increase in lake levels due to storms, high rains or run-off.
  • Bridge clearances Lake Norman is spanned by five major bridges & sixteen additional bridges. The approximate vertical bridge clearances when the lake is at full pond may be found here. 

Meeting: When two vessels approach each other from opposite directions “head on“, each must alter course to the right to avoid collision. If the two vessels are far enough to the left of each other so that no change in direction is needed for safe passage, both will maintain their course and speed to pass clear.

Crossing: When two vessels approach each other at an angle, the one on the right has the right-of-way and the other must stay clear.

Restricted Maneuverability: Sailboats not under power and vessels propelled by oars or paddles have the right-of-way over motorboats except in an overtaking situation where the vessel being overtaken always has the right-of-way.

Passing: When one vessel overtakes another going in the same direction, the craft being overtaken must maintain course and speed, and the passing vessel must keep a sufficient distance to avoid collision or endangering the other craft from its wake.

Speed and Control: All vessels must be operated at reasonable speeds for given situations and must be always under the complete control of the operator.

Danger Areas: Vessels passing close to swimming areas, moored vessels, or vessels engaged in fishing, servicing buoys, or similar activities, must reduce their speed so as to prevent injury to swimmers or other occupants of the area.