Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Specific Requirements for Personal Watercraft (PWCs)
(625 ILCS 45/4-1, 625 ILCS 45/4-11, 625 ILCS 45/5-2, 625 ILCS 45/5-18, 625 ILCS 45/5-20)

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

• Every person on board a PWC must wear a U.S. Coast Guard–approved Type I, II, III, or V personal flotation device (PFD) that is in good and serviceable condition.
• If the PWC is equipped with a lanyard-type ignition safety switch, the lanyard must be attached to the person, clothing, or PFD of the operator.
• A PWC may not be operated between sunset and sunrise.
• There are minimum age and boater education requirements for operators of personal watercraft. See Who May Operate a Vessel.
• A PWC must be operated in a responsible manner. Maneuvers that endanger people or property are prohibited, including:
  • Weaving your PWC through congested waterway traffic
  • Jumping a wake of another vessel unreasonably close to the other vessel or when visibility around the other vessel is obstructed
  • Waiting until the last possible moment to swerve and avoid collision

Remember—As an owner of a PWC, you are legally responsible if you allow your PWC to be operated by others in violation of Illinois 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 Legally with a Vessel (625 ILCS 45/5-14)

Vessel operators towing a person(s) on water-skis, aquaplanes, or any similar devices must obey these laws:

• When a vessel is pulling a person on water-skis, aquaplanes, or similar devices, the operator must have a competent person on board to act as an observer.
• All vessels, including PWCs, that are towing a person(s) on water-skis, aquaplanes, or similar devices must be designed and recommended by the manufacturer to accommodate the operator, observer, and person(s) being towed.
• A person may not be towed from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise.
• Those towing skiers on water-skis, aquaplanes, or similar devices and those being towed must act in a safe and prudent manner.
  • Vessels towing persons must maintain a reasonable distance from other persons and property so as not to endanger the life or property of any person.
  • It is illegal to operate the vessel or manipulate the towing rope, water-skis, or other devices such that the towed device or person collides with any other person or object.

If towing a skier with a PWC, the PWC must be rated for at least three people—the operator, the observer, and person(s) being towed.