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.

• Each person riding on a PWC must wear a U.S. Coast Guard–approved Type I, II, III, or V personal flotation device (life jacket).
• If the PWC is equipped with a lanyard-type ignition safety switch, the lanyard must be attached to the person, clothing, or life jacket of the operator.
• PWCs may not be operated between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise.
• PWCs must be operated in a reasonable and prudent manner at all times. For example, it is illegal to:
  • Jump the wake of another vessel unnecessarily close to the other vessel.
  • Weave your PWC through congested traffic.
  • Swerve at the last moment to avoid collision.
• No one may operate a PWC at greater than headway speed within 200 feet of swimmers, divers, the shoreline, or moored vessels.
• When launched from shore, PWCs must proceed at headway speed in the most direct path to the area where PWC operation is allowed.
• Anyone operating a PWC, regardless of age, must have passed an approved boater education course. It is illegal for the owner of a PWC to knowingly permit operation of his or her PWC in violation of this law.
• Some waters may have local regulations that limit or prohibit the operation of personal watercraft. Be sure to check local regulations before going boating.

Remember—As an owner of a PWC, you may be held responsible if you knowingly allow anyone else to operate your PWC in violation of Rhode Island 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

In addition to adhering to laws as they apply to all vessels, operators towing a person(s) on water skis, surfboards, or any device of this type must obey these laws.

• It is illegal for vessels to tow persons on water skis, surfboards, or any device of this type between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise.
• Every vessel towing a person(s) on water skis, a surfboard, or a similar device must have an observer on board, in addition to the vessel operator, who is 12 years of age or older and in a position to observe the skier(s).
• Rhode Island law states that vessels towing person(s) on water skis or similar devices must have on board at least one life jacket, life belt, or ring buoy for the person(s) being towed. This is in addition to the life jackets required for those on board the vessel. However, it is strongly recommended that all persons being towed behind a vessel on water skis or any other device wear a U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jacket.
• A reasonable distance from other vessels, people, and property must be maintained while towing so as not to endanger life or property. It is illegal to cause the towed device or person being towed to collide with any object or person

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