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

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

  • Personal watercraft are required to have a “rules decal” (provided at no charge by the DNR) affixed to the PWC in full view of the operator.
  • Anyone operating or riding on a PWC must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved Type I, II, III, or V personal flotation device (PFD or life jacket).
  • Operation of personal watercraft is permitted only between 9:30 a.m. and one hour before sunset.
  • 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.
  • You may not operate a PWC if any part of the spring-loaded throttle system has been removed or tampered with so that it interferes with the return-to-idle system.
  • PWCs may not be operated in a manner that endangers life, limb, or property. PWC operators may not weave through congested waterway traffic or jump the wake of another boat within 150 feet of that boat. This includes other personal watercraft.
  • PWCs must travel at slow-no wake speed (5 mph or less) within 150 ft. of non-motorized boats, shore, docks, swim rafts, swimmers, or any moored or anchored boat. PWCs must also travel at slow-no wake speed when passing through emergent or floating vegetation.
  • You may not operate a PWC while facing backward.
  • It is illegal to chase, harass, or disturb wildlife with your PWC.

Mandatory PWC Rules Decal

PWC "rules decal"

Teenager riding jet ski

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

PWC Flash animation

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.)

Skiing and Tubing

In addition to adhering to laws as they apply to all boats, boat operators towing a person(s) on water-skis, tube, a surfboard, a saucer, or a similar device must obey these laws also.

  • Every boat towing a person(s) on water-skis or a similar device must have:
    • An observer, other than the boat operator, who is continuously watching the person being towed or …
    • A wide angle rearview mirror.
  • If towing a person on water-skis or a similar device behind a PWC, there must be:
    • An additional person on board the PWC to act as an observer (this observer does not have to be facing backward), or …
    • A factory-installed or factory-specified wide-field rearview mirror.
  • The skier towed must wear a PFD or there must be a PFD carried on board the boat for the skier. It is strongly recommended that anyone being towed wear an impact-tested PFD designed for water-skiing.
  • Water-skiing and similar acts are prohibited between one hour after sunset and sunrise the next day. PWCs may tow or operate only between 9:30 am and one hour before sunset.
  • Water-ski tow ropes may not be longer than 150 feet in length unless a permit is obtained from the county sheriff.

Water-skiers should wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved PFDs which are impact-tested and provide good protection for the skier.
PWC towing skier
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