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

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

Remember—As an owner of a PWC, you are legally responsible if you allow anyone else to operate your PWC in violation of Indiana law.

• Each person riding on or being towed behind a PWC must wear a U.S. Coast Guard–approved wearable personal flotation device (life jacket). Recommended are PFDs designed to withstand the impact of hitting the water at high speed.
• PWCs must either be equipped with an ignition safety switch or have a self-circling feature in case the operator falls off. An operator of a PWC equipped with a lanyard-type ignition safety switch must always attach the lanyard–Short cord used for fastening something or securing rigging; on a PWC and most powerboats, it attaches the ignition safety switch to the operator's wrist or life jacket to his or her person, clothing, or PFD.
• PWCs may be operated during daylight hours only unless equipped with the appropriate lighting.
• It is illegal to operate a PWC while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• You must operate a PWC in a reasonable and prudent manner. It is illegal to endanger human life, safety, or property. You may not:
  • Weave through congested traffic
  • Follow a vessel that is towing other individuals
  • Jump the wake–Waves that a vessel leaves behind as it moves through the water of another vessel
  • Cut between a vessel and an individual being towed
  • Cross paths with another vessel when vision is obstructed
  • Steer toward an object or person in the water and turn sharply at close range
  • Operate while facing backwards

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, aquaplane, or a similar device must obey these laws.

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

• All vessels towing a person(s) on water skis, an aquaplane, or a similar device must have a person on board, in addition to the vessel operator, observing the towed person(s) at all times.
• If towing a person behind a personal watercraft, the PWC must be at least nine (9) feet in length and be rated for three people—the operator, the observer, and the retrieved skier.
• All persons being towed behind a vessel on water skis or any other device must wear a U.S. Coast Guard–approved PFD. Ski belts are not U.S. Coast Guard–approved.
• Persons may be towed behind a vessel on water skis or any other device only during daylight hours only.

Water-Skiing/Tubing on the Ohio River

Several laws for water-skiing and tubing on the Ohio River differ from those of other Indiana waterways.

The operator of the towing vessel may have either an observer on board or use a rearview mirror.

• If an observer is used, he or she must be at least 12 years of age.
• If a rearview mirror is used, the mirror must have at least a 160-degree-wide angle of vision and be mounted so that the operator can see the person being towed.
• A mirror is not allowed if towing a kite. There must be an observer at least 12 years of age on board.

The hours are extended to one (1) hour before sunrise to one (1) hour after sunset.

Anyone being towed on water skis, a surf board, a kite, or similar device must wear a Type I, II, or III PFD (Type V PFDs are not approved).