(a) The Commissioner of Forests, Parks and Recreation or a municipality in administering a swimming beach or waterfront program may designate a swimming area in front of the beach or land which the State or a municipality owns or controls and may make rules pertaining to the area. The rules may provide that no person, except a lifeguard on duty and other authorized personnel, may operate any boat, canoe, or water vehicle of any sort within the designated swimming area.

(b) A designated swimming area shall have bounds marked by buoys spaced no more than 100 feet apart. The buoys shall be displayed 24 inches above the water or shall have red flags not smaller than 12 by 18 inches displayed 18 inches above the water. (Added 1983, No. 212 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; amended 2009, No. 135 (Adj. Sess.), § 19.)