The provisions of this article shall be applicable to the operation of any and all vessels in the waters of Lakewood, except that they shall not apply in the following cases:

To any authorized emergency vessel actually responding to an emergency call or in immediate pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law, within the purpose for which such emergency vessel has been authorized. The provision of this section shall not relieve the operator of an authorized emergency vessel of the duty to operate with due regard for the safety of all persons, nor shall it protect the operator of any such emergency vessel from the consequences of a reckless disregard for the safety of others. The provisions of this section shall in no event extend any special privilege or immunity in the operation of an authorized emergency vessel for any purpose other than that authorized. [Ord. 86 § 1, 1996.]