It's the Law: Specifically for PWCs

PWC operators must obey the laws that apply to other vessels as well as obey additional requirements that apply specifically to the operation of personal watercraft.

Requirements Specific to PWCs

• Every person on board a PWC must wear a USCG–approved Type I, II, III, or V 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 be operated between sunset and sunrise.
• A PWC operator must always face forward.
• A PWC may not be operated at faster than “slow, no wake speed” within:
  • 100 feet of any other vessel
  • 100 feet of a dock, pier, raft, or restricted area on any lake
  • 200 feet of shore on any lake
• There are minimum age and boater education requirements for operators of PWCs.
• A PWC must be operated in a responsible manner. Maneuvers that endanger people or property are prohibited, including:
  • Jumping a wake with a PWC within 100 feet of another vessel
  • Operating within 100 feet of a vessel that is towing a person on water skis, inner tube, wakeboard, or similar device, or operating within 100 feet of the tow rope or person being towed
  • Weaving a PWC through congested waterway traffic
  • Steering toward another object or person in the water and swerving at the last possible moment in order to avoid collision
  • Chasing, harassing, or disturbing wildlife with a PWC