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Personal Watercraft Defined
Water jet-pump-driven boats that are generally less than 13 feet in length (Jetskis
and Waverunners). Personal watercraft (PWC) come in many sizes and can now easily
accommodate four people. In addition, many personal watercraft can pull a skier.
The state of California defines a “personal watercraft” as: "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. More information is available in the Department
of Boating and Waterways publication,
Safe Boating Hints for Personal Watercraft.
Laws regarding the operation of Personal Watercraft
- Every person on board a personal watercraft and any person towed
behind a vessel must wear a Coast Guard-approved Type I, II, III, or V life
jacket.
- The law prohibits the operation of personal watercraft at any time from sunset to
sunrise, even if the personal watercraft is equipped with the proper navigational
lights.
- Person under 16 years of age are prohibited from operating 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.
From the ABCs of the California Boating Law (2009)
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.