Own Your Wake
Look Around & Slow Down | No wake safety is in your wheelhouse!
Boat Wakes: What They Are & Why Slowing Down Really Matters
For recreational boaters, slowing down is good seamanship: It helps you maintain control and avoid accidents, allows you to see over the bow, reduces the chance of swamping smaller craft, protects boats at the dock, prevents shoreline erosion, and protects aquatic species. If you’re making a noticeable wake, ease off the throttle and let your boat settle into displacement (no‑wake) speed.
What Is a Boat Wake?
A wake is the wave action created behind (and alongside) a boat as it moves through the water. Wake size increases with speed, hull shape, and weight. Your wake is amplified in shallow water or narrow channels, where waves from your wake can cause confused seas. Even on the lake, your wake can cause damage.
Rule of Thumb: If your wake is curling, breaking (white water), or rocking other boats, you’re too fast for the conditions!
The bigger and faster the boat, the bigger the wake—and in narrow or shallow water, those waves can build and travel, impacting other boaters, docks, and shorelines. Even if conditions look calm at the helm, once you’ve already passed, your wake will spread out, reaching other boats and the shoreline soon after. That's where the danger begins.
You Are Responsible for Any Damage Your Wake Causes
By law, every operator is responsible for their boat’s wake and any damage it causes. Liability can include personal injury or death and property damage costs.
Federal, state, and local laws outline key responsibilities. The following links provide the details:
(625 ILCS 45/5-7) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 315-7)
​
Sec. 5-7. No person shall operate a watercraft within 150 feet of a public launching ramp owned, operated or maintained by the Department or a political subdivision of the State at greater than a "No Wake" speed as defined in Section 5-12 of this Act. Posting of the areas by the Department or a political subdivision of the State is not required.
​
(625 ILCS 45/5-12) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 315-7.5)
​
Sec. 5-12. A wake is defined as a movement of the water created by a boat underway great enough to disturb a boat at rest, but under no circumstances shall a boat underway exceed 5 miles per hour while in a posted "No Wake" area. "No Wake" areas shall be clearly posted with buoys or appropriate signs except as provided in Section 5-7 of this Act. All buoys or signs posting "No Wake" areas shall meet the specifications as prescribed by the United States Coast Guard or the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
​
(Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)
83.02 Responsibility (Rule 2)
​
(a) Nothing in these Rules shall exonerate any vessel, or the owner, master, or crew thereof, from the consequences of any neglect to comply with these Rules or of the neglect of any precaution which may be required by the ordinary practice of seamen, or by the special circumstances of the case.
​
(b) In construing and complying with these Rules due regard shall be had to all dangers of navigation and collision and to any special circumstances, including the limitations of the vessels involved, which may make a departure from these Rules necessary to avoid immediate danger.
​
10-40-261 Restrictions on wake of vessels.
(a) No person shall operate a vessel in such a way that the boat creates a wake in any of the following areas in the Lake Michigan portions of the Chicago Harbor or upon any waterway within the City, except in the case of an actual emergency:
(2) within 150 feet of the shoreline or a breakwater;
(3) within 150 feet of any other vessel;
(5) within 150 feet of any portion of the Chicago River Locks structure;
(6) west of the east line of Navy Pier, between the south line of Navy Pier and the south line of the Chicago River locks structure;
(7) west of the east line of Navy Pier, between the north line of Navy Pier and the south line of the Jardine Water Filtration Plant;
(Added Coun. J. 12-10-97, p. 59008; Amend Coun. J. 7-29-98, p. 75119; Amend Coun. J. 11-8-12, p. 38872, § 193
How to Reduce Your Wake
Plan Ahead
Come off plane early and slow to displacement, or no‑wake, speed well before you reach marinas, docks, launches, nearby or moored boats, paddlers, anglers, and narrow or crowded waters.
Use Trim Wisely
Trim down or neutralize your boat’s trim at low speeds. This will help prevent the bow from lifting and throwing a large wake that can cause damage or harm to others.
Use Your Eyes
As you near other vessels, people, and property, look behind you and to the sides. Is your wake pushing boats around or hitting the shore hard? Slow down more.
Keep Steerage Without Wake
If you’re idle and still throwing a wake, briefly shift your vessel in and out of gear. This will help you maintain control while still minimizing wave action.
In Closing
Be courteous to others while operating a vessel. Every time you ease off the throttle, you’re protecting fellow boaters, reducing wear on docks and boats, and helping preserve the shoreline. Slow down early, stay aware of what’s happening around you, watch your wake, and operate with the courtesy and control that keep our waterways safe and enjoyable for all.
Every boater has a role to play, and everyone can lend a hand by following no-wake guidance and using common sense on the water. Whether you’re passing another vessel, approaching a dock, or boating near the shoreline, slowing down helps everyone share the water safely. It doesn’t matter if there is a NO WAKE sign; you are always responsible for your wake.
