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.

• Each person riding on a PWC must wear a USCG–approved Type I, II, III, or V personal flotation device that is properly fitted and fastened.
• PWCs must be equipped with a fully operational self-circling device or a lanyard-type engine cut-off switch. If a cut-off switch is used, the lanyard must be attached to the operator’s person, clothing, or PFD.
• PWCs may not be operated between sunset and sunrise.
• A PWC, operating at more than idle speed, may not run around, ride or jump the wake of, or be within 100 feet of another moving boat or PWC unless it is overtaking the other boat in compliance with the rules for encountering other boats. When a PWC is overtaking another boat, it must not change course to ride or jump the wake of the boat being overtaken.
• A PWC must be operated at idle speed if within 100 feet of a vessel not underway or adrift, a dock or pier, a bridge, a person in the water, a shoreline adjacent to a residence, a public park or beach, a swimming area, a marina, a restaurant, or any other public use area.
• It is unlawful for an owner of a PWC to allow anyone else to operate their PWC in such a way that it violates the Georgia Boat Safety Act.
• It is illegal to rent, lease, or let for hire a PWC to a person under the age of 16 years.

Remember—As an owner of a PWC, you are civilly liable if you allow anyone else to operate your PWC in violation of Georgia law.

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 or a similar device must obey these laws also.

• It is illegal for boats or PWCs to tow persons on water skis, a skiboard, or any device of this type between sunset and sunrise.
• It is illegal for the operator of the towing vessel or person(s) being towed to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• A boat or PWC must not tow persons on water skis or similar devices within 100 feet of a vessel not underway or adrift, a dock or pier, a bridge, a person in the water, a shoreline adjacent to a residence, a public park or beach, a swimming area, a marina, a restaurant, or any other public use area.
• The person being towed must wear a ski belt; ski jacket; or Type I, II, or III personal flotation device that is properly fitted and fastened.
• Every boat towing a person(s) on water skis or a similar device must have on board:
  • A person, in addition to the boat operator, capable of observing the towed person(s) at all times or …
  • A wide-angle rearview mirror mounted such that the operator can observe the towed person(s) at all times.
• Every PWC towing a person(s) on water skis or similar device must be rated by the manufacturer to carry three or more persons and must have on board a person, in addition to the PWC operator, capable of observing the towed person(s) at all times. A wide-angle mirror may not be used in place of an observer on PWCs.

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