(1) The department is hereby authorized to promulgate rules and regulations establishing equipment requirements for any vessel subject to the provisions of law. Regulations shall be, wherever possible, in conformity with the provisions of the federal navigation laws or with navigation rules and regulations promulgated by the United States Coast Guard and shall be modified from time to time to maintain that conformity.
(2) It shall be unlawful for any person to operate or permit the operation of any vessel on the waters of the state of Idaho unless the vessel shall have on board or installed the equipment required by rules and regulations promulgated by the department.