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Handbook of Illinois Boating Laws and Responsibilities Illinois Department of Natural Resources

It's the Law: Specifically for PWCs

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

Requirements for Personal Watercraft (PWCs)
(625 ILCS 45/4-1, 625 ILCS 45/4-11, 625 ILCS 45/5-2, 625 ILCS 45/5-18, 625 ILCS 45/5-20)

Adult and teenager wearing life jackets riding a PWC

  • Every person on board a PWC must wear a U.S. Coast Guard–approved Type I, II, III, or V personal flotation device (PFD) that is in good and serviceable condition.
  • 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.
  • A PWC may not be operated between sunset and sunrise.
  • There are minimum age and boater education requirements for operators of personal watercraft.
  • A PWC must be operated in a responsible manner. Maneuvers that endanger people or property are prohibited, including:
    • Weaving your PWC through congested waterway traffic
    • Jumping a wake of another vessel unreasonably close to the other vessel or when visibility around the other vessel is obstructed
    • Waiting until the last possible moment to swerve and avoid collision
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It's the Law!

Handbook of Illinois Boating Laws and Responsibilities
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