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 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.
• A PWC may not tow a water-skier or a person(s) on a similar device unless:
  • The PWC has manufacturer-approved seating for at least three people and …
  • There is a vacant seat for the skier and …
  • An observer, in addition to the operator, is on board.

Remember—As an owner of a PWC, you may be held liable if you consent to allow anyone else to operate your PWC in such a way that it violates the laws of New Mexico.

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 or any similar devices must obey these laws also.

• It is illegal to tow a person(s) between one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise.
• All persons being towed must wear a USCG-approved Type I, II, or III PFD.
• It is illegal to tow a person(s) within 150 feet of any public dock (other than a ski dock), mooring line, launching ramp, boat, fisherman, swimmer, or any person not also engaged in the same activity.
• The person operating the towing vessel must not operate the vessel in a manner that would cause the object being towed to collide with any other object or person.
• The water-skier or person riding on the object being towed:
  • Must not manipulate the object so as to endanger the life, limb, or property of any person.
  • Must not be legally intoxicated due to alcohol or any combination of alcohol, controlled substances, or drugs.
• Every motorboat (other than a PWC) towing a person(s) on water skis or a similar device must have:
  • An observer, other than the vessel operator on board or …
  • A device such as a wide-angle rearview mirror that gives the operator an unobstructed view of the person or object being towed.
• Every PWC towing a person(s) on water skis or a similar device must have:
  • Manufacturer-approved seating for at least three people with a vacant seat for the skier and ...
  • An observer on board, in addition to the operator.
• Vessels towing a person(s) on water skis or a similar device must carry on board a bright red or orange “skier-down” flag. The flag must be displayed whenever the towed person(s) is in the water.

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