A new Minnesota law requiring boaters to stay clear of enforcement watercraft with their emergency lights flashing goes into effect today, July 1.

The so-called move-over law is intended to provide the same protection for watercraft enforcement officers as similar laws do for police, State Patrol and other emergency response personnel, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

The new law states: When approaching and passing a law enforcement watercraft with its emergency lights activated, the operator of a watercraft must safely move the watercraft away from the law enforcement watercraft and maintain a slow-no wake speed while within 150 feet of the law enforcement watercraft.

“Waves generated by other boats speeding nearby, makes it difficult and dangerous for emergency responders in watercraft,” said DNR Enforcement Chief, Col. Jim Konrad. “They must be able to render aid safely to an injured victim in the water and perform their other enforcement duties. The move-over law will help ensure the safety of officers and the boaters they contact.”