Laws and Safety Equipment

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PERSONAL WATERCRAFT LAW

PWC are typically regulated more than other powerboats. Many states require both a minimum age and proof of passing a boating education course in order to legally operate a PWC. Strict measures are in place regarding the hours of operation, towing, life jacket wear and the requirement to attach the safety lanyard. Additionally, safe operation of a PWC may include staying a minimum distance away from other boats, and slowing to no wake speed in certain areas.

The term reckless operation is a catch-all term under most state laws and simply means that if you are observed by a law enforcement officer operating in a manner deemed to have the possibility of endangering life, limb or property, you may be cited for operating in a reckless manner. You should always operate your PWC safely and legally to avoid any mishaps on the water, or receiving a ticket from a law enforcement officer.

Specific Virginia PWC laws

• The minimum age to operate a Personal Watercraft (PWC) is 16, however, those ages 14 and 15 may operate a PWC if they take and successfully pass an approved boating safety course, carry proof while operating, and present it to a law enforcement officer upon request. "Approved boating safety course," means a course approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and accepted by the Department of Game & Inland Fisheries. THIS COURSE IS APPROVED and ACCEPTED by Virginia!
• PWCs must come to no wake speed when within 50 FEET or LESS of piers, docks, boathouses, boat ramps and people in the water and another boats other than other PWCs. This rule does not prohibit pulling a skier with a rope less than 50 feet.
• PWCs may not operate after sunset or before sunrise.
• Operator, passengers and those being towed must wear an approved life jacket at all times when the craft is underway.
• Operator must attach the safety lanyard to their person or life jacket.
• Current, valid registration, fire extinguisher and sound producing device must be onboard.
• May not have more persons on board the PWC than that recommended by the manufacture.
• Negligent operation of a PWC includes:
  1. Weaving through other vessels which are underway, stopped, moored or anchored while exceeding a reasonable speed;
  2. Following another vessel or skier, crossing the path of another vessel, or jumping the wake of another vessel more closely than is reasonable and prudent;
  3. Crossing between the towing vessel and a skier; or
  4. Steering toward an object or person and turning sharply in close proximity to such object or person in order to spray or attempt to spray an object or person with the wash or jet spray of the PWC.