Rules & Regulations

1. Louisiana law requires that all children 16 years of age and younger wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD while underway on a vessel less than 26 feet long. The PFD must be fastened and of the proper size for the child. There must be enough PFDs in the boat for each participant.  

2. All persons on board a motorboat less than 16 feet which is being propelled by a hand tiller outboard motor are required to wear a USCG approved Type I, II, III or V PFD while the motorboat is underway.  A motorboat less than 26 feet with a hand tiller outboard motor in excess of 10 horsepower designed to have or having an engine cut-off switch must have the engine cut-off switch link attacked to the operator, the operator's clothing, or the operator's PFD, if worn, while the motor is running and the vessel is underway.  

3. All mechanically propelled vessels less than 26 feet must carry one B-1 U.S. Coast Guard approved fire extinguisher if any one or more of the following conditions exist: 

· Inboard engines.  

· Closed compartments and compartments under seats where portable fuel tanks may be stored.  

· Double bottoms not sealed to the hull or which are not completely filled with flotation materials.

· Closed living spaces.

· Closed stowage compartments in which combustible or flammable materials are stored.  

· Permanently installed fuel tanks. Fuel tanks secured so they cannot be moved in case of fire or other emergency are considered permanently installed. There are no gallon capacity limits to determine if the tank is portable. If the weight of a fuel tank is such that persons on board cannot move it, the Coast Guard considers it permanently installed.  

Mechanically propelled vessels 26 feet to less than 40 feet must carry two B-1 U.S. Coast Guard approved fire extinguishers. Vessels over 65 feet must comply with Federal Standards.  

4. Every motorboat or vessel of Class 1, 2, or 3, shall be provided with an efficient whistle or other sound producing mechanical appliance.  

5. Boats should be under seven (7) feet off the water.   

6. Boats should be properly registered and meet LDWF regulations.  

7. Each boat must be equipped with a rope and anchor.  

8. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited. Ice chests with water, soft/sport drinks, sandwiches and snacks are encouraged and can be consumed along the way as necessary, taking care not to consume snacks unnecessarily during the Rosary and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.  

9. The procession is a sacred event, behavior and dress should be like that of a Church event. No shorts, halter tops, or tank tops.   

10. No one is to pass the front barge carrying the Blessed Sacrament.  

11. At the four (4) stops for Rosary and Benediction, boaters in the procession are to anchor their boats, only the priest and servers on the Eucharistic Barge will disembark.  

12. There will be restroom opportunities between each of the Church stops. If someone in your boat needs to use the restroom, fall out of procession at the stop and then catch up with the procession and take the tail spot just before the Boat of the Assumption.  

13. If your boat is not equipped with a FM radio, bring a battery powered FM radio to receive the transmission of the Rosary and prayers on the designated station from the lead barge with the Blessed Sacrament.  

14. No music or listening to the radio allowed, only the designated station is allowed.  

15. Only the designated restroom spots are to be used.  

16. Keep 50 feet of space between you and the boat in front of you; do not get too close, but do not fall too far behind.  

17. Boat should be attended by at least one person at all times. For example, if you wish to attend Mass in Franklin, the boat must be in the water prior to the Mass and an operator must remain with the boat while others in the party attend Mass.  

18. Only 100 boats will be allowed. Only boats that have registered will be allowed to participate in the procession. Please try to avoid backing out of the procession once registering. If you need to cancel your registration, please do so by email in advance so that the next party on the list can be admitted in your place.  

19. Each boat will be assigned a number that will need to be placed in a visible location on your boat. This will be the order that boats will process until boats have to fall out of line for some reason. Upon rejoining the procession, take up the rear spot just before the Boat of the Assumption.  

20. All boats departing from the Franklin boat launch should begin putting in no later than 6 am. All boats departing from the Baldwin boat launch should begin putting in no later than 10 am. All boats departing from the Chitimacha boat launch should begin putting in no later than 11:30 am.  All boats departing from the Jeanerette boat launch should begin putting in no later than 1:30 pm.  

21. All boats should be in the bayou and ready to proceed at least 30 minutes prior to departure. At Franklin, all boats must be in the water and the ramp clear from the landing for Eucharist barge at 9 am. Boats that wish to put in at other launches must be in the water 30 minutes prior to the arrival of the procession at that location.  

22. Participants are encouraged to decorate their boats with the names of their respective Church Parishes, Organizations, Family Names or Crests.  

23. Each participant must sign a liability waiver in order to participate.  You may register your boat prior to having all the names and waivers of your “ship’s company” but must send in the waivers as you identify and get commitments of persons riding with you.