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.

• Every person on board a PWC must wear a U.S. Coast Guard–approved Type I, II, III, or V personal flotation device (life jacket).
• PWCs must be equipped with a fully operational self-circling device or a lanyard-type ignition safety switch. If the ignition safety switch is used, the lanyard must be attached to the person, clothing, or PFD of the operator.
• PWCs may be operated only between sunrise and sunset.
• There are age age and boater education restrictions on operators of personal watercraft.
• PWCs must be operated in a reasonable and prudent manner. The following activities are not allowed.
  • A PWC may not be operated in a negligent manner.
  • On all Maryland state waters, a PWC may not be operated at greater than 6 knots (6.9 miles per hour) within 100 feet of any shore, wharf, pier, bridge abutment, or persons in the water.
  • On Maryland state waters of the Atlantic Ocean, a PWC may not be operated within 300 feet of persons in the water or surf fishermen.
  • A PWC may not be operated at greater than 6 knots (6.9 miles per hour) within 100 feet of another vessel except in a crossing or overtaking situation in accordance with the navigation rules.
  • A PWC may not be operated at greater than “slow, no wake speed” on Maryland state waters less than 18 inches deep, except when required to maintain speed in a crossing or overtaking situation.
• All PWCs registered in Maryland must display, in clear view of the operator, a regulations sticker that explains the PWC regulations. (Stickers are available from the MDNR Police Safety Education Division at 410-260-3280.)

Remember—As an owner of a PWC, you are responsible legally if you allow the PWC to be operated in violation of Maryland 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, aquaplanes, tubes, kneeboards, or similar devices must obey these laws also.

• No one under 12 years of age may operate legally a vessel towing a person(s) on water skis, an aquaplane, a parasail, or similar device.
• Every vessel towing a person(s) on water skis, an aquaplane, or other device must have on board, in addition to the operator, an observer at least 12 years of age.
• All persons being towed behind a vessel on water skis, an aquaplane, or other device must wear a USCG–approved personal flotation device (life jacket).
• A vessel may tow a person(s) on water skis, a surfboard, or other device only between the hours of sunrise and sunset.
• It is illegal to operate any vessel or manipulate any water skis, an aquaplane, or similar device in a careless, reckless, or negligent manner that endangers the life, limb, or property of any person.
• Except for taking off from shore, the towing vessel must stay at least 100 feet from shores, piers, bridges, people in the water, and other passing vessels.
• Ski ropes may not be more than 75 feet in length, except when barefoot skiing in which case a ski rope of 100 feet in length may be used.
• A PWC may not be used to tow a person on water skis, an aquaplane, or similar device unless the PWC has the capacity to carry at least three persons (the operator, a rear-facing observer, and the skier) and the PWC is designed specifically for water-skiing by the manufacturer.

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