Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Requirements Specific to Personal Watercraft (PWCs)

In addition to adhering to all boating laws, personal watercraft (PWC) operators have requirements specific to their vessel.

Requirements Specific to Personal Watercraft (PWCs)

• Each person on board a PWC must wear a U.S. Coast Guard–approved Type I, II, or III life jacket (personal flotation device). They must be worn according to the manufacturer’s design and recommended use. All closures must be fastened and adjusted for a snug fit.
• 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.
• It is illegal to operate a PWC between sunset and sunrise or during periods of restricted visibility unless the PWC is equipped with the proper navigation lights.
• PWCs must be operated in a careful and responsible manner. It is considered reckless operation if a PWC operator commits two or more of the following acts simultaneously:
  • Operating within 60 feet of another vessel above a wakeless speed.
  • Operating within the vicinity of a vessel in a manner that obstructs the visibility of either operator.
  • Heading into the wake of a vessel that is within 60 feet and causing half or more of the length of the personal watercraft to leave the water.
  • Operating within 60 feet of another vessel, maneuvering quickly, turning sharply, or swerving unless the maneuver is necessary to avoid a collision.
• A PWC may not be loaded with passengers and gear beyond the safe carrying capacity recommended by the PWC manufacturer.

Remember—As the owner or person in charge of a PWC, it is illegal for you to knowingly allow anyone else to operate the PWC in a way that violates the laws of Arizona.

Be Part of the Action! Learn more about operating a PWC with this interactive animation. (Most students will already have Flash installed. If not, follow this link to install the Flash Player.)

Towing a Person with a Vessel Legally

Vessel operators towing a person(s) on water skis, a surfboard, or similar devices must obey these laws also.

• A vessel towing a person(s) on water skis or any other similar device must have at least two persons on board—one to operate the vessel and a second person to observe the towed person(s). The observer must be at least 12 years old and be physically capable and mentally competent to act as an observer of a water-skier.
• Each person being towed behind a vessel on water skis or a similar device must wear a life jacket (PFD) or buoyant belt. Note, however, that buoyant belts are not approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. The AZGFD recommends the use of a U.S. Coast Guard–approved, brightly colored, Type III life jacket (PFD). The brightly colored life jacket (PFD) aids in making a skier more visible to other vessels.
• Water-skiing is restricted to daylight hours only. It is illegal to tow a person(s) on water skis, surfboard, or other similar device from sunset to sunrise.
• Both the operator of the towing vessel and the skier must operate in a safe manner. A reasonable distance from other vessels, people, and property must be maintained so as not to cause danger to the life or property of others.
• State law makes the person being towed (the skier) responsible if he or she behaves in a careless, reckless, or negligent manner.
• Vessels towing person(s) on water skis or a similar device must carry and use a bright red or orange skier-down flag that is at least 12 x 12 inches in size and mounted on a handle. The observer must continuously observe the skier(s) and display a skier-down flag whenever a skier is in the water after falling or while preparing to ski.
• If towing a skier with a PWC, the same water-skiing laws apply. Do not exceed the carrying capacity of the personal watercraft.

If towing a skier with a personal watercraft, all the same laws apply. Remember, do not exceed the carrying capacity of the personal watercraft.

Simple precautions will prevent overexposure to the sun.

• Wear clothes with an SPF rating and use sunscreen freely and often.
• Avoid spending too much time without effective shielding. Studies indicate that short exposures repeated over long periods can result in skin cancer.
• Wear sunglasses to protect our eyes. The sun and its glare can cause eye strain.