|
Reference Guide to State Boating Laws The Reference Guide to State Boating Laws answers a number of questions related to recreational boating safety public law. Topics covered include boating education, operator age, water skiing, boat noise, numbering & titling, personal watercraft, boating under the influence, personal flotation devices and more. The data in the guide was supplied by the states and collectively updated during 2007. Data can also be updated by boating law administrators (or designates) for the individual states. To access the data, click on the drop down menu below and select a topic area. |
Personal Watercrafts and Skiers
[Table 4.7]
State |
Does your state allow PWCs to pull water skiers? |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, are there any restrictions? |
Alabama |
Yes | Must have 2 mirrors, with a minimum viewing area of 10 square inches each, measuring a minimum of 2.5 inches tall and 4.0 inches wide. These mirrors must be mounted, one on each side, on the body (not the steering mechanism) of the pwc in such a way as to maximize the rear viewing of the operator. |
Alaska |
Yes |
|
American Samoa |
No |
|
Arizona |
Yes | Watercraft cannot be overloaded. All requirements apply. |
Arkansas |
Yes | Must have onboard an observer at least 12yrs or older and the PWC must be able to ride 3 or more persons. Mirrors are not allowed in lieu of an observer. |
Australia |
|
|
British Columbia |
|
|
California |
Yes | There is no exemption from having an observer with a ski flag that must be available for use on board the vessel. |
Colorado |
yes | An observer must be onboard the PWC and a skier down flag must be used. |
Connecticut |
Yes | 3 and 4 person pwc's only - must have a backward facing observer |
Delaware |
Yes | yes |
District of Columbia |
Yes | Must have a mirror and an observer facing the skier |
Florida |
Yes | PWCs must have a person, in addition to the operator, in a position to observe the progress of the skier or have a wide-angle rearview mirror mounted in such a way as to permit the operator to see the progress of the skier. |
Georgia |
Yes | Must be a three seater with one observer. |
Guam |
Yes | Same as any water ski operations |
Hawaii |
Yes | same as any vessel towing water skiers |
Idaho |
Yes | Cannot exceed capacity, skiers must wear PFDs, and must have an observer and flag. |
Illinois |
Yes | PWC must have seat for skier (no overloading) and PWC must have lifejacket onboard for skier if not wearing it... |
Indiana |
Yes | PWC must be at least 9 feet in length and designed for 3 occupants. Must also have observer on board when towing a skier or tuber. |
Iowa |
Yes | Must be a three passenger PWC. |
Kansas |
Yes | Must have an observer or mirrors to obtain a maximum view behind and hoist skier down flag |
Kentucky |
Yes | A wide angle mirror or observer |
Louisiana |
Yes | must have a mirror or a observer |
Maine |
Yes | In addition to the operator, must have a person onboard at least 12 years of age, who is in a position to continually observe the person being towed. |
Manitoba (Canada) |
|
|
Maryland |
Yes | Pwc's must be able to carry operator, observer and skier (at least 3pob capacity) |
Massachusetts |
No |
|
Michigan |
Yes | Must have an observer and everyone wearing a PFD. |
Minnesota |
Yes | Must have observer or factory installed or factory authorized rear view mirrors. |
Mississippi |
Yes | Must have observer |
Missouri |
Yes | Must have an observer aboard. |
Montana |
Yes | must have an observer |
Nebraska |
Yes | skier counts as part of the capacity of the vessel/PWC |
Nevada |
Yes | Vessel must be rated to hold 3 people |
New Hampshire |
Yes | Must have an operator and observer on board. |
New Jersey |
Yes | follow all ski laws, including ski flag, observer must face aft to tend to skier. PWC must hold at least 3 people |
New Mexico |
Yes | Mandatory PFD wear, observer on board, seat for skier. |
New York |
Yes | must be a three person or greater machine |
North Carolina |
Yes | No person shall operate a personal watercraft towing another person on water skis, a surfboard, or similar device unless: (1) The personal watercraft has on board, in addition to the operator, an observer who shall monitor the progress of the person or persons being towed, or the personal watercraft is equipped with a rearview mirror; and (2) The total number of persons operating, observing, and being towed does not exceed the number of passengers identified by the manufacturer as the maximum safe load for the vessel. |
North Dakota |
Yes | Must have an observer on board and must not operate between one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise. |
Northern Mariana Islands |
No | none |
Ohio |
Yes | Must have an observer at least 10 yrs old on board. |
Oklahoma |
Yes | Must be designed to accomodate two or more persons and must have proper observer 8 YOA or older or two convex rear view mirrors so placed so the operator can face the direction traveled and observe the progress of the person being towed. |
Ontario (Canada) |
|
|
Oregon |
Yes | PWC must be able to carry operator, observer, and skier |
Pennsylvania |
Yes | one skier only must have an observer |
Puerto Rico |
No |
|
Quebec (Canada) |
|
|
Rhode Island |
Yes | observer over age of 12 required- must be designed for and capable of carrying the skier and observer and operator |
South Carolina |
Yes | PWC must have wideangled rearview mirrors or and observer. PWC must be rated for 3 people if and observer is on board. |
South Dakota |
Yes |
|
Tennessee |
Yes | Observer and/or mirrors |
Texas |
Yes | Must not exceed passenger capacity |
Utah |
Yes | same law as traditional boats |
Vermont |
Yes | Must have an observer. |
Virgin Islands |
|
|
Virginia |
Yes | Capacity of the PWC must be able to legally accommodate the operator, passengers, and those being towed. |
Washington |
Yes | None. |
West Virginia |
Yes | Must have an observer or mirror |
Wisconsin |
Yes | PWC's designed for 3. |
Wyoming |
Yes | No. Same as boats |