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.

• Everyone on board a PWC must wear a U.S. Coast Guard–approved Type I, II, or III personal flotation device (PFD) at all times.
• An operator of a PWC equipped with an ignition safety switch must attach the lanyard of the switch to his or her wrist or PFD.
• A “no wake speed” must be maintained when within 200 feet of a dock, swimmer, swimming raft, non-motorized vessel, or anchored vessel.
• Stand-up PWCs and PWCs towing a water-skier must travel at the minimum speed necessary to operate when leaving from or returning to a dock or the shore.
• When a PWC tows a person on water-skis, kneeboard, tube, or other device, another person must be on board to act as an observer or “spotter.”
• A PWC may not be rented to anyone under the age of 18.
• One U.S. Coast Guard–approved Type B-I fire extinguisher must be on board a PWC.
• A PWC must be registered at a county treasurer’s office and display proper numbers and decals.
• All rules regarding safe operation of a vessel apply to PWCs as well.

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

• Every vessel towing a person(s) on water-skis or other devices must have on board, in addition to the operator, an observer watching the progress of the person being towed. If the operator is 12 or younger, the observer must be at least 18.
• Each person being towed behind a vessel on water-skis, or other devices must wear a USCG–approved PFD.
• It is illegal for vessels to tow a person(s) on water-skis or any other devices between the hours from sunset to sunrise.
• Water-skiers must not approach within 50 feet of swimmers or enter a designated swimming area.

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