PWC Safety

 Each person riding on  a PWC must 

wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device.

 

• The PWC is equipped with a lanyard that is an engine cutoff switch, and must be attached to the operator.

 

It is illegal to:

• Operate a PWC between sunset and sunrise.

• Operate a PWC within 50 feet of another boat or PWC, a person, a stationary platform or a shoreline. The only exception is when the PWC is maintaining headway (no wake) speed.

• Operate a PWC in a manner that requires the operator to swerve at the last possible moment to

avoid collision. Furthermore, a PWC should not jump the wake of another boat recklessly or

unnecessarily close to that boat.

 

 

Safe Operation of Personal Watercraft

• PWC’s must be at “no wake” speed within 50 feet of boats, other PWC’s, and stationary objects such as docks and the shoreline. 

• Look in all directions before turning a PWC to avoid turning in front of another watercraft. Give the RIGHT OF WAY to boats - they cannot move or respond as fast as PWC’s.

• PWC’s have reduced control because they have no steering without throttle and many have no stopping ability or reverse.

• Stay away from the intake grate and water jet while the PWC is running. Check PWC's for fuel leaks or other dangerous problems to avoid breakdowns and explosions.

• Parents and PWC owners are responsible for children operating PWC's and the parents and owners may be fined and ticketed in case of accidents and infractions.

• PWC owners should determine that operators are knowledgeable about PWC operations and laws before they drive.