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 riding on or being towed behind a PWC must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device (life jacket).

The operator of a PWC must be at least 14 years of age.

PWCs must be operated in a careful and responsible manner. It is considered reckless operation if a PWC operator commits two or more of the following acts simultaneously:

• Operating the PWC within a zone closer than five lengths of the longest vessel unless both vessels are traveling at “no wake speed– A speed at which the vessel does not produce a wake, or in other words, leaves a flat wave disturbance; not to exceed 5 miles per hour”
• Operating within the vicinity of a vessel in a manner that obstructs the visibility of either operator
• Heading into the wake– Waves that a vessel leaves behind as it moves through the water of a vessel that is within a zone closer than five lengths of the longest vessel and causing half or more of the length of the personal watercraft to leave the water
• Maneuvering quickly, turning sharply, or swerving within a zone closer than five lengths of the longest vessel unless the maneuver is necessary to avoid a collision

It is illegal to operate a PWC between sunset and sunrise or during periods of restricted visibility unless the PWC is equipped with the required navigation lights.

The operator of a PWC equipped with a lanyard-type ignition safety switch must attach the lanyard to his or her person, clothing, or PFD when operating at more than 5 miles per hour.

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

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

Vessel operators towing a person(s) on water skis, a surfboard, or any other device must obey these laws also.

• A person operating a vessel that is towing a person on water skis, a surfboard, or any other device must be:
  • At least 16 years of age or …
  • At least 14 years of age and have on board a person at least 18 years of age in a position to supervise the operator.
• All persons being towed behind a vessel on water skis, a surfboard, or other device must wear a USCG-approved personal flotation device (life jacket).
• Every vessel towing a person(s) on water skis, a surfboard, or other device must have on board, in addition to the vessel operator, an observer who is:
  • At least 14 years of age or …
  • At least 12 years of age and another passenger who is at least 18 years of age to supervise the observer.
• The observer must display an orange skier down flag whenever the towed person(s) is in the water preparing to be towed or waiting to be picked up by the towing vessel. The flag must be 12 x 12 inches in size.
• It is illegal for vessels to tow persons on water skis, a surfboard, or any other device between sunset and sunrise.
• If towing a person on water skis or other device, the vessel must be rated to carry everyone in the boat plus everyone being towed.
• Some waters may have local regulations which limit or prohibit water-skiing. Be sure to check local regulations before you go boating.

Remember—Teak surfing is against the law in Nevada. Aside from the obvious danger of propeller strike injury, the surfer is also in danger of carbon monoxide poisoning.