Loch Lomond Byelaws 2023

Aims of the Loch Lomond Byelaws 2023

• Safer enjoyment of the water for all Loch users and especially young people
• Protecting the environment
• Increased participation in healthy recreation by making space for all users and types of activities
• Minimising incidents of anti-social behaviour and disturbance to communities and Loch users
• Appropriate and effective management and enforcement through clear and understandable rules.

You can read the complete Byelaws in this section but here’s a summary what you need to know about the six key changes…

1. Under 16s must wear Life Jackets or Buoyancy Aids

Under 16? You MUST wear a life jacket or buoyancy aid when you’re on any moving vessel.

• This includes boats, canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and any other vessel on the water whether it has an engine or not.
• You can take them off when you’re in a fully enclosed cabin, but remember to put them on again when you leave the cabin.
• Until the 1st of November the current byelaws covering the use of life jackets and buoyancy aids still apply.

Remember – life jackets or buoyancy aids must still be carried on board for all those 16 and over, under the new byelaws.
Although wearing them is always better!

2. You must register if ‘in charge’ of a vessel

Are you planning to be ‘in charge’ of a vessel with an engine (including jet skis)? Then you must register with us before you do so.

• The person ‘in charge’ is the person responsible for the way the vessel is being used, whether they’re steering or not.
• Any person who is in charge needs to register with us. There must be at least one registered user on board at all times when moving. Look out for more information, including our new online registration system.

3. Introducing new 6kph slow-speed zones

You’ll start seeing 6kph buoys at: Balloch Castle Country Park, Duck Bay, Manse Bay, Milarrochy Bay, Luss, Sallochy and Rowardennan.

• These are mixed-use areas, so expect to see other users like paddleboarders and swimmers in the water.
• The buoys mark out slow-speed zones and mean you need to stay below 6kph – that means no wake. In other words, keep at a slow walking pace.

Download pdf (4.4mb) of 6Kph speed limit areas

4. Protecting public rescue equipment

Don’t damage, remove or tamper with emergency rescue life rings or throw lines.

• It’ll be an offence if you do, so don’t touch it unless you need to use it in an emergency.
• If you see any damaged or missing equipment, please make a note of the location details, grid reference and speak to our Ranger Service.
  Call 01389 722030 or email: lochlomondbyelaws@lochlomond-trossachs.org

5. Change to line of 11kph speed buoys

The line of buoys marking the 11kph speed zones to the south of Inchtavannach, Inchmoan and Inchcruin islands is changing.
Make sure you’ve slowed down to 11kph by the time you pass through the buoys. That’s a fast walking pace.

6. Responsibility for under 16s

Under 16? Who’s responsible if they breach the byelaws?

• If an under 16 takes out a vessel with an engine and breaches a byelaw:
  – if someone 18 or over is on board, that person will be guilty of an offence; or
  – if there’s no-one 18 or over on board, the registered owner or owner will be guilty of an offence.

Please make sure under 16s know what the Byelaws mean and what they need to do to comply.

If you would like to know more about why the byelaws have been updated, you can find out more here.