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 U.S. Coast Guard–approved Type I, II, III, or V personal flotation device (life jacket).
• 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.
• PWCs must be operated in a careful and responsible manner. For example, it is illegal for PWC operators to:
  • Weave the PWC through congested waterway traffic.
  • Jump the wake of another vessel when visibility is obstructed.
  • Operate in a manner that requires swerving at the last possible moment to avoid collision.
• PWC operators have age and boater education requirements.
• No one under the age of 16 years may operate a PWC.
• It is illegal to chase, harass, or disturb wildlife with your PWC.
• PWC operators should avoid operating around fishermen, anchored vessels, or swimmers.

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

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 (including PWC operators) towing a person(s) on water skis, aquaplanes, surfboards, inner tubes, or any similar devices must obey these laws also.

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

• Each person being towed behind a vessel on water skis or any other device must wear a U.S. Coast Guard–approved Type I, II, III, or V PFD.
  • Inflatable PFDs are not approved for use by persons being towed.
  • This law does not apply to persons participating in a marine permitted barefoot or trick water-skiing event. An approved PFD must be on board the vessel for each of these skiers.
• A vessel towing a person(s) on water skis or any other device must have at least two competent persons on board—one to operate the vessel and a second person to observe the towed person(s).
  • This law does not apply to vessels that are operated by a person at least 16 years old and that are equipped with a wide-angle, convex rearview mirror, at least 7 x 14 inches in size, which is positioned to allow the operator to observe the person(s) being towed.
  • This law does not apply to vessels engaged in authorized water-skiing tournaments or competitions.
• It is illegal to tow a person(s) on water skis, a surfboard, or similar device between the hours of one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise.
• 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 endanger the life or property of others.