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 vessel.

• Every person on board a PWC must wear a U.S. Coast Guard–approved Type I, II, III, or V personal flotation device that is in good and serviceable condition.
• If the PWC is equipped with an ignition safety switch, the lanyard must be attached to the person, clothing, or PFD of the operator.
• PWCs may be operated only from sunrise to sunset.
• There are age and boater education requirements for operators of personal watercraft.
• PWCs may not be operated within 150 feet of a swimmer, the shore, or a moored vessel unless operated at headway speed.
• PWCs may not be operated on any Massachusetts waters that are less than 75 acres in size.
• It is illegal to tow a water-skier or a person in any other manner behind a PWC.
• PWCs must be operated in a safe and responsible manner. For example, it is illegal to:
  • Jump the wake of another vessel.
  • Speed in restricted areas.
  • Follow within 150 feet of a water-skier.
  • Cross unreasonably close to another vessel.
  • Weave through congested waterway traffic.
  • Operate in such a manner that it endangers the life, limb, or property of any person.
  • Chase or harass wildlife with your PWC.
• As with other vessels, PWCs are not allowed within 150 feet of public and private swimming beaches.

Remember—As an owner of a PWC, you are legally responsible if you allow your PWC to be operated by others in violation of Massachusetts 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, surfboards, or similar devices must obey these laws also.

• It is illegal to tow a person on water skis or similar devices behind a PWC.
• Every vessel towing a person(s) on water skis or similar devices must have on board, in addition to the operator, an observer at least 12 years of age constantly observing the person being towed.
• Each person being towed behind a vessel on water skis or similar devices must wear a USCG–approved Type I, II, or III PFD.
• It is illegal for vessels to tow a person(s) on water skis or similar devices from sunset to sunrise.
• All vessels towing a person on water skis or similar devices must be equipped with a ladder, steps, platform, or similar device that can be used to retrieve the person being towed from the water.
• Everyone engaged in water-skiing—the operator and the towed person(s)—must conduct themselves in a safe and responsible manner.
  • Water-skiers must ski at a safe distance to prevent their wash from being thrown into or causing excessive rocking of other vessels, rafts, or floats.
  • The towing vessel must not be operated within 150 feet of shorelines being used as swimming areas or within 75 feet of floats or markers that designate swimming areas.
  • It is illegal for the vessel operator or for the towed person to be under the influence of alcohol or any controlled substance.
• Water-skiing is not permitted on some Massachusetts waterways. Check before you go boating.

Water-skiers must ski at a safe distance to prevent their wash from being thrown into or causing excessive rocking to other vessels, rafts, or floats.