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, III, or V PFD that is in good and serviceable condition.
• If the PWC is equipped by the manufacturer with an ignition safety switch, the lanyard must be attached to the person, clothing, or PFD of the operator.
• PWCs may not be operated between sunset and sunrise.
• PWC operators must always face forward.
• PWCs must operate at “no wake speed” when within 200 feet of docks, boat ramps, swimmers, bridge structures, moored or anchored vessels, sewage pump-out facilities, or nonmotorized vessels.
• 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:
  • Jump the wake of another vessel at an unsafe distance from the vessel creating the wake.
  • Weave through congested waterway traffic.

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

In addition to adhering to laws as they apply to all vessels, operators towing a person(s) on water skis, aquaplanes, surfboards, inner tubes, or any similar devices must obey these laws.

• Operators must have:
  • A wide-angle rearview mirror properly placed to provide a maximum view of the person or persons being towed, or ...
  • A second person at least 12 years old to act as an observer.
• Vessels towing a person(s) on water skis or a similar device must carry on board a bright orange or red skier-down flag and display it whenever the towed person(s) is in the water preparing to be towed or waiting to be picked up by the towing vessel. The flag must be displayed so that it is visible from all directions.
• Vessels may not tow a person(s) on water skis or any other devices from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise.
• PWCs may not be used to tow a person on water skis, kneeboards, inflatable crafts, or any other device unless the PWC is designed to accommodate more than one person and that by doing so it does not exceed the PWC’s own capacity rating.
• 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 a combination.
• Although not required by Kansas law, it is recommended that anyone being towed behind a vessel wear a U.S. Coast Guard–approved Type I, II, III, or V PFD that is in good and serviceable condition.

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