“Personal watercraft” means a vessel 13 feet in length or less, propelled by machinery, that is designed to be operated by a person sitting, standing, or kneeling on the vessel rather than in the conventional manner of sitting or standing inside the vessel. Personal watercraft (PWC) are subject to the same laws governing the operation of motorboats of the same size. For proper display of registration numbers and stickers, see the Registration section of this booklet.

For more information, see the Department of Boating and Waterways publication, Safe Boating Hints for Personal Watercraft. Every person on board a personal watercraft (PWC) and any person towed behind a vessel must wear a Coast Guard-approved Type I, II, III, or V life jacket. Exceptions: a person aboard a personal watercraft or being towed behind a vessel on water skis if that person is a performer in a professional exhibition, or preparing to participate or participating in an official regatta,marine parade, tournament or exhibition.

In lieu of wearing a Type I, II, III, or V Coast Guard-approved life jacket, any person engaged in slalom skiing on a marked course, or any person engaged in barefoot, jump, or trick water skiing may elect to wear a wetsuit designed for the activity and labeled by the manufacturer as a water ski wetsuit. A Coast Guard-approved Type I, II, III, or V life jacket must be carried in the tow vessel for each skier electing to wear a wetsuit.

Lanyard/Self-Circling Device — The law requires a person operating a personal watercraft equipped with a lanyard cutoff switch to attach the lanyard to his or her person. Operating a personal watercraft equipped with a self-circling device is prohibited if the self-circling device has been altered. Nighttime Operation Prohibited — The law prohibits the operation of personal watercraft at any time from sunset to sunrise, even if the PWC is equipped with the proper navigational lights.

Operator Age — It is an infraction for a person under 16 years of age to operate a motorboat of more than 15 horsepower, including personal watercraft. Any person who permits a person under the age of 16 to do so is also guilty of an infraction.

A person 12-15 may operate a motorboat of more than 15 horsepower if supervised by a person on board who is at least 18 years of age. Reasonable and Prudent Operation — California law holds that no person shall operate any craft in a reckless or negligent manner so as to endanger the life, limb or property of any person. Some examples are:  Navigating a vessel, skis, or other devices between a towing vessel and its tow or tows.

Operating under the influence of intoxicants or narcotics. Jumping or attempting to jump the wake of another vessel within 100 feet of the other vessel constitutes unsafe operation. Other actions which constitute unsafe operation are operating a PWC toward any person or vessel in the water and turning sharply so as to spray the person or vessel; and operating at a rate of speed and proximity to another vessel so that either operator is required to swerve at the last minute to avoid collision.