It's the Law: Specifically for PWCs

PWC operators must adhere to the legal requirements of all boating laws and those specific to the operation of personal watercraft on Missouri waters.

Requirements Specific to PWCs

• Everyone on board a PWC while underway must wear a U.S. Coast Guard—approved Type I, II, III, or V personal flotation device (PFD).
• 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.
• You must be at least 14 years of age to operate a PWC, unless a supervising person at least 16 years of age is also on board the personal watercraft.
• If born after January 1, 1984, you must have a boating safety identification card that is NASBLA—approved and issued by the Missouri State Water Patrol, or other state, to operate a PWC.
• It is illegal to operate a personal watercraft while you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• PWCs must be operated in a careful and responsible manner. Specifically, it is illegal for PWC operators to:
  • Weave the PWC through congested waterway traffic.
  • Jump the wake of another motorboat when visibility is obstructed.
  • Become airborne while crossing the wake of another motorboat and within 100 feet of that motorboat.
  • Operate at greater than "slow, no wake" speed within 50 feet of any other vessel, PWC, or person in the water.
  • Operate in a manner that requires swerving at the last possible moment to avoid collision.
• Also, it is strongly recommended that PWCs be operated only during daylight hours. If a PWC is operated at night, the PWC must display the required navigation lights.