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.
• PWCs must be equipped with a fully operational self-circling device or a lanyard– Short cord used for fastening something or securing rigging; on a PWC and most powerboats, it attaches the ignition safety switch to the operator's wrist or life jacket-type ignition safety switch– A safety device that is designed to shut the engine down if the operator is thrown from the proper operating position. If the ignition safety switch is used, the lanyard must be attached to the person or PFD of the operator.
• It is illegal to:
  • Operate a PWC between sunset and sunrise.
  • Operate a PWC at greater than idle speed– When you see these buoys or signs with these words, they indicate a restricted boating area established to protect the safety of the public and property. In these areas, a vessel cannot proceed at a speed greater than that speed necessary to maintain steering. if within 50 feet of a non-moving boat, a dock or pier, a bridge, or a person in the water.
  • Jump the wake– Waves that a vessel leaves behind as it moves through the water of another boat unnecessarily close to the other boat or when visibility around the other boat is restricted.
  • Operate a PWC so that it leaves the water (jumps) within 200 feet of a boat whose wake it is crossing.
  • Operate a PWC in excess of idle speed within 100 yards of the Atlantic coastline.
  • Chase, harass, or disturb wildlife.

Remember—As an owner of a PWC, it is illegal for you to allow anyone else to operate your PWC in such a way that it violates the laws of South Carolina.

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, a surfboard, or any other device must obey these laws.

• It is illegal for vessels to tow persons on water skis, a surfboard, or any other device between sunset and sunrise.
• Vessels towing water-skiers or participating in a similar activity must operate in a careful and prudent manner. A reasonable distance from other boats, people, and property must be maintained so as not to endanger life or property. Buzzing or spraying another boat or a swimmer is illegal.
• Those being towed must wear a U.S. Coast Guard–approved Type I, II, III, or V PFD.
• Every vessel towing a person(s) on water skis, a surfboard, or a similar device must have on board:
  • A person, in addition to the boat operator, observing the towed person(s) or ...
  • A wide-angle rearview mirror mounted such that the operator can observe the towed person(s) at all times.
• If an observer is used when towing a person behind a PWC, the PWC must be rated for three people—the operator, the observer, and the retrieved skier.

It is important for PWC operators who are towing skiers to be aware that their factory-installed rearview mirror may not comply with South Carolina regulations. A wide-angle mirror is needed for adequate viewing of the skier. If an observer is used, the PWC should be rated to carry all persons on board the PWC plus the skier.