Personal Watercraft (PWC) Requirements
Personal Watercraft (PWC) Requirements
- Any person under 16 years of age may not operate a personal watercraft which includes jet-skis.
- A person between 16 & 18 years of age may operate a personal watecraft if they have successfully completed an approved education course, or if they are accompanied by a person 18 years of age or older. Proof of age and course completion must be possessed while operating a personal watercraft.
- Anyone operating or riding on a personal watercraft must wear a Type I, II or III PFD.
- The parent or guardian of a minor under 18 years of age is responsible for the minor’s actions while operating a personal watercraft.
- Personal watercraft may not be operated during the hours between sunset and sunrise.
Please be aware that many waters have prohibitions on operating personal watercraft.
Visual Distress Signals on Coastal Waters
Any boat 16 feet or more in length or any boat carrying six or less passengers for hire on coastal waters must carry U.S. Coast Guard approved visual distress signals (which must be readily available and in good serviceable condition). Devices suitable for day use and devices suitable for night use, or devices suitable for both day and night use must be carried.
Between sunset and sunrise, no person may use a boat less than 16 feet in length on coastal waters unless U.S. Coast Guard approved visual distress signals suitable for night use are on board.
No person may use a boat unless the required U.S. Coast Guard approved visual distress signals are readily available and in good and serviceable condition.
Exceptions. The following persons are exempt from carrying visual distress devices suitable for day use, however, they must carry on board U.S. Coast Guard approved visual distress signals suitable for night use when operating between sunset and sunrise.
a. A person competing in any organized marine parade, regatta, race or similar event;
b. A person using a manually propelled boat; or
c. A person using a sailboat of completely open construction, not equipped with propulsion machinery, under 26′ in length.
Laws Pertaining to Airmobiles
This subchapter is in no way to be construed as giving license or permission to cross or go on the property of another. Any person operating an airmobile upon the land of another shall stop and identify himself upon the request of the landowner or the landowner’s duly authorized representative. Any person in violation shall be held accountable to the owner under existing law. If restrictions on operation are posted on the land of another, the person operating the airmobile shall observe those restrictions.
