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

In addition to adhering to all boating laws, PWC operators have requirements specific to their watercraft:

• Any person riding on or being towed behind a PWC must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved Type I, II, III, or V PFD (life jacket). Exceptions are made for those performing or participating in an official regatta, marine parade, tournament or exhibition.
• If the PWC is equipped with a lanyard-type ignition safety switch, the lanyard must be attached to the person, clothing or PFD of the operator. Operating a PWC equipped with a self-circling device is prohibited if the self-circling device has been altered.
• It is illegal to operate a PWC between sunset and sunrise, even if the PWC is equipped with proper navigation lights.
• PWCs should not be operated in a reckless or negligent manner. Examples of unsafe operation are:
  • Turning a PWC sharply so as to spray another person or vessel
  • Operating at a rate of speed and proximity to another vessel so that either operator must swerve at the last minute to avoid collision
  • Jumping or attempting to jump the wake of another vessel within 100 ft. of that vessel
• It is illegal to chase, harass or disturb wildlife with your PWC.

Remember—As an owner of a PWC, it is illegal for you to allow anyone else to operate your PWC in such a way that it violates the laws of California.

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 Legally with a Vessel

In addition to adhering to laws as they apply to all vessels, operators towing a person(s) on water-skis or a similar device must follow these rules:

• Any person being towed behind a vessel must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved Type I, II, III, or V PFD (life jacket). Exceptions are made for those performing or participating in an official regatta, marine parade, tournament or exhibition.
  • Inflatable PFDs (life jackets) are not approved for use while water-skiing.
  • A water-ski wetsuit may be worn by any person engaged in barefoot, jump, trick or slalom skiing on a marked course, as long as a U.S. Coast Guard-approved Type I, II, III, or V PFD (life jacket) is carried on the tow vessel for each skier electing to wear a wetsuit.
• It is illegal for vessels to tow skiers, skiboards, or any device of this type between sunset and sunrise. Local laws may also restrict skiing at certain times and in certain areas.
• Water-skis, aquaplanes and similar devices must not be operated in a manner which endangers the safety of persons or property. Passing the towline over another vessel or skier or navigating a skier or vessel between a vessel and its tow are specifically prohibited.
• Every vessel towing a person(s) on water-skis or a similar device must have a person on board, in addition to the operator, who can observe the person being towed. This observer must be at least 12 years of age.
• The operator of a vessel involved in towing a skier must display a ski flag whenever:
  • A downed skier is in the water
  • A skier is in the water preparing to ski
  • A ski rope is extended from the vessel
  • A ski is in the water in the vicinity of the vessel
• A ski rope must be at least 75 feet long.

If towing a skier with a personal watercraft, the PWC should be rated for at least three people—the operator, the observer and the retrieved skier.