Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Requirements Specific to Personal Watercraft (PWCs)

In addition to adhering to all boating laws, personal watercraft (PWC) operators have requirements specific to their vessel.

Every person on board a PWC must wear a U.S. Coast Guard–approved Type I, II, or III personal flotation device that is in good and serviceable condition.

If the PWC is equipped by the original manufacturer with an ignition safety switch, the lanyard must be attached to the person, clothing, or PFD of the operator.

PWCs may be operated between one-half hour before sunrise and one-half hour after sunset only.

There are age and boater education requirements for operators of personal watercraft.

PWCs must be operated in a responsible manner. For example, it is illegal to:

• Become airborne or completely leave the water while crossing the wake of another vessel at an unsafe distance from the vessel creating the wake or when visibility is obstructed.
• Weave your PWC through congested waterway traffic.
• Operate such that your PWC or another vessel must swerve abruptly or cut speed abruptly in order to avoid a collision.
• Chase or harass wildlife with your PWC.

Remember—As an owner of a PWC, you are responsible legally if you allow your PWC to be operated by others in violation of Colorado law.

Be Part of the Action! Learn more about operating a PWC with this interactive animation. (Most students will already have Flash installed. If not, follow this link to install the Flash Player.)

Towing a Person with a Vessel Legally

Vessel operators towing a person(s) on water skis, aquaplanes, surfboards, innertubes, or any similar devices must obey these laws also.

• Every vessel towing a person(s) on water skis or other devices must have on board, in addition to the operator, an observer watching the progress of the person being towed and capable of relaying messages to the operator.
• Each person being towed behind a vessel on water skis, an aquaplane, or a similar device must wear a properly fitting flotation device. USCG–approved Type I, II, or III PFDs are recommended; but a ski belt, water sports jacket, or foam wetsuit jacket will be accepted.
• The observer or operator of a vessel towing a person(s) on water skis or other devices must display a “skier down” flag whenever the towed person(s) or associated equipment is down in the water. The flag must be displayed so that it is clearly visible.
• It is illegal for vessels to tow a person(s) on water skis or any other devices between sunset and sunrise.
• All motorized vessels in designated water-skiing areas must travel in a counter-clockwise direction except when picking up a downed skier. When picking up a skier, the towing vessel should circle the skier to keep him or her in view of the operator at all times.
• It is illegal for vessels to tow a person(s) on water skis or any other devices within 150 feet of any harbor, swimming beach, mooring area, or any areas that are marked as being closed to water-skiing. Areas designated as a ski take-off or landing area are exempt from this restriction.
• Everyone engaged in water-skiing—the operator, the observer, and the towed person(s)—must conduct themselves in a safe manner. It is illegal to cause the towed device or person to collide with any object or person. It is also illegal to water-ski or manipulate any other towed device while under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance, any other drug, or any combination of these substances.

If towing a skier with a PWC, the PWC should be rated for at least three people—the operator, the observer, and the retrieved skier.