Section 15: Personal Watercraft Operation 173
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Some locales totally prohibit their use. If
PWC owners do not operate their craft
safely and prudently, authorities will pass
additional restrictive laws. Awareness, good
judgment, and consideration for others are
most important.
Additional safety equipment is often
required. In many states, you must wear a
life jacket whenever aboard a PWC. Some
states require day-type visual distress signals.
Federal requirements are minimum,
always check with local and state authorities
for additional equipment that is required.
Safely operating a PWC on crowded
waterways requires physical capability and
maturity of judgment. For this reason, local
regulations frequently have minimum age
limits for PWC operators. Many require
successful completion of a special course
in PWC operation. The Personal Watercraft
Industry Association recommends a minimum
operator’s age of 16.
Parents should insist that youth operating
personal watercraft are of legal age,
receive proper instruction in both boating
safety and PWC operation, and operate
their PWCs in a safe, considerate, and
responsible manner.
Find a non-congested area free of
people and other boats when learning
to use a personal watercraft. Stay close to
shore, especially as you learn to use your
personal watercraft. Never ride a PWC near
a dam. Be aware of local PWC restrictions.
Many areas, especially on small lakes,
have regulations governing hours of operation.
• These rules may apply to all boats or only
to certain types of boats such as power
driven boats or PWCs.
• These rules are intended to improve boating
safety or to reduce noise during certain
hours.
OPERATE YOUR PWC SAFELY
PWC operators must always be alert and
vigilant when riding their craft. There are
many things to think about when operating
a craft that goes so fast and responds
so quickly.
Stopping
Since a PWC has no brakes, you must allow
adequate distance in order to make a safe
stop.
• The quickest way to stop may be to turn
180 degrees under power (turn it in a
tight circle).
• The alternative of using reverse is inefficient.
“Spin” your PWC.
Falling Off
You should expect to fall off! However,
it will not be dangerous if you follow the
manufacturer’s safety guidelines (Figure
15-6).
• There are no rudders or propellers on the
outside of the hull to cause injury.
• If you fall, push away from the PWC.
Most PWCs being built today are equipped
with a lanyard cut-off switch that stops the
engine if the operator falls off the craft.
Figure 15-6. Falling off a PWC, manufacturer’s safety guidelines