It's the Law: Specifically for PWCs

PWC operators must obey laws that apply to other vessels as well as obey additional requirements that apply specifically to the operation of personal watercraft.

Requirements Specific to PWCs

• Every person on board a PWC must wear a U.S. Coast Guard—approved personal flotation device (life jacket).
• An operator of a PWC equipped with a lanyard-type ignition safety switch must attach the lanyard to his or her person, clothing, or PFD.
• PWCs may be operated only between one-half hour before sunrise and one-half hour after sunset.
• There are age restrictions on operators of personal watercraft.
• It is illegal to operate a personal watercraft in an unsafe or reckless manner. Examples include:
  • Becoming airborne or completely leaving the water while crossing the wake of another vessel within 100 ft. of the vessel creating the wake.
  • Weaving through congested traffic.
  • Operating at greater than " slow, no wake speed" within 100 feet of an anchored or moored vessel, shoreline, dock, pier, swim float, marked swim area, swimmer, surfer, person fishing, or any manually propelled vessel.
  • Failing to observe the navigation rules or following too close to another vessel, including another personal watercraft. Note: Following too close means moving in the same direction and operating at a speed greater than 10 miles per hour when approaching within 100 ft. to the rear of or 50 ft. to the side of another vessel that is underway, unless the vessel is in a channel too narrow to keep the required distance, in which case a PWC may be operated at a speed that is reasonable and prudent.