172 Chapter Four
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Visual Distress Signals (VDS)
• VDS are not required under federal regulations
for Class A boats, although some
state and local authorities include them as
required equipment.
• If you go offshore any farther than someone
can see you waving for help (1⁄2 mile
is suggested), it is a good idea to carry
day-type VDS.
• Orange distress flags (black square and
ball displayed against an orange background),
orange distress dye markers,
and reflective mirrors make good signals
for use on your PWC.
• Night distress signals are not necessary.
In most cases it is illegal to use your PWC
at night and, thus, it is not equipped with
lights for night operation.
• The international distress signal of slowly
and repeatedly raising outstretched arms
to each side is a simple attention-getter.
Do not wave your arms over your head; it
looks like a greeting.
Accident Reporting
Section 7, Government Regulations,
describes the federal requirements for
reporting an accident. Local regulations
may differ. Always check for the requirements
in your locale.
THE NAVIGATION RULES
The purpose of the Navigation Rules is to
prevent collisions between vessels and they
apply to personal watercraft. Review the
description of these rules in Section 4.
• The speed and quick movement of a personal
watercraft requires you to be constantly
attentive to your surroundings to
avoid collision.
• You must know the Navigation Rules in
order to make split-second decisions to
avoid collision.
The following rules are of particular importance
to PWC operators.
You must maintain a lookout at all
times, which includes looking ahead, to
both sides, and in back of you.
You must operate at a safe speed. A
safe speed is one in which you will have
time to react and avoid a collision. This
means that if you are involved in a collision,
you were going faster than you should
have been going.
State and Local
Regulations
State and local governments often have
stricter and more comprehensive regulations
for the use of PWCs than those of
the Federal Government. It is your responsibility
to know and keep current with all
changes to these regulations.
• As a boat operator, you must be aware of,
and abide by, all laws governing the use of
personal watercraft in your area.
• The laws apply to anyone operating a
PWC, not just the owner.
• Most states provide guides describing
their boating regulations.
This course has given you instruction in local
and state regulations that differ from federal
regulations. If your state requests that the
course examination include questions relative
to their regulations, your course instructor
will cooperate with this request.
Regulated activities often include
restrictions on:
• PWCs may not operate between the
hours of sunset to sunrise as they are not
equipped with navigation lights
• Wake jumping; many locales prohibit
• Water skiing from a PWC; many states
prohibit
• Operating close to persons or other boats
in the water
• Locations where personal watercraft may
be operated
Dangerous and discourteous operation of
personal watercraft has resulted in many
laws regulating operator age and conduct.