Regulations for operation of personal watercraft
In addition to other regulations in this code, all personal watercraft shall also be operated in the following manner: (1) A person may not operate a personal watercraft unless each person riding on or being towed behind such vessel is wearing a type I, type II, type III, or type V personal flotation device, other than an inflatable device, approved by the United States Coast Guard. (2) A person operating a personal watercraft equipped by the manufacturer with a lanyard-type engine cutoff switch must attach such lanyard to his person, clothing, or personal flotation device as is appropriate for the specific vessel.
(3) A person shall not operate a personal watercraft at any time between one-half hour before sunset and one-half hour after sunrise. However, agents or employees of law enforcement agencies or fire/emergency rescue services are exempt from this subsection while performing their official duties. (4) A personal watercraft must at all times be operated in a reasonable and prudent manner. Maneuvers which unreasonably or unnecessarily endanger life, limb, or property, including, but not limited to, weaving through congested vessel traffic, jumping the wake of another vessel unreasonably or unnecessarily close to such other vessel or when visibility around such other vessel is obstructed, and swerving at the last possible moment to avoid collision shall constitute reckless operation of a vessel. Failure to operate a personal watercraft in such a careful and prudent manner shall constitute careless boating in violation of this chapter.
