Skip to main content

Course Outline

PWC jumping wake of a boat; prohibited sign on the image

In Pennsylvania, these are the operating laws for PWC.

  • PWC may be operated during daylight hours only (sunrise to sunset).
  • PWC must be operated in a responsible manner. It is illegal to:
    • Weave your PWC through congested waterway traffic.
    • Operate a PWC at greater than “slow, no wake speed” if within 100 feet of:
      • A shoreline, docks, or launch ramps
      • Swimmers, downed skiers, or persons wading in the water
      • Anchored, moored, or drifting vessels or floats
    • Cause a PWC to become airborne while crossing another vessel’s wake when within 100 feet of the vessel creating the wake.
    • Operate at faster than “slow, no wake speed” within 100 feet to the rear of or 50 feet to the side of another vessel that is underway (unless in a narrow channel).
    • Operate within 100 feet of anyone being towed behind another vessel.
  • Unit 4 of 6
  • Topic 13 of 19
  • Page 2 of 2