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.

• Each person riding on or being towed behind a PWC must wear a Type I, II, or III U.S. Coast Guard–approved PFD (life jacket) . It is recommended that those on board a PWC wear PFDs designed to withstand the impact of hitting the water at high speed.
• PWCs should not be operated in a manner that requires the operator to swerve at the last possible moment to avoid a collision. Furthermore, a PWC should not jump the wake of another vessel recklessly or unnecessarily close to that vessel.
• It is illegal to operate a personal watercraft while you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• It is illegal to chase, harass, or disturb wildlife with your PWC.
• It is also strongly recommended that:
  • An operator of a PWC equipped with a lanyard-type ignition safety switch always attach the lanyard to his or her person, clothing, or PFD
  • PWCs are operated during daylight hours only

In addition to the requirements above, Mississippi Ordinance No. 16.003 states that on marine waters south of Interstate Highway 10 (I-10), PWCs:

• Must have a self-circling device or lanyard-type ignition safety switch with the lanyard attached to the operator’s person, clothing, or PFD.
• Must not be operated at an excessive speed within 100 feet of another occupied vessel except in a crossing situation or overtaking in accordance with the navigation rules.
• May not jump, or attempt to jump, the wake of another vessel within 100 feet of that vessel.
• May not follow within 100 feet of a water-skier.

Remember—As an owner of a PWC, you are civilly liable if you allow anyone else to operate your PWC in violation of Mississippi 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, surfboard, or a similar device must obey these laws.

• Every vessel towing a person(s) on water skis, a surfboard, or a similar device must have a person older than 10 years of age, in addition to the vessel operator, observing the towed person(s) at all times.
• A reasonable distance from other vessels, people, and property must be maintained so as not to endanger life or property. It is illegal to cause the person being towed to collide with any object or person.
• It is illegal to be towed on water skis, surfboard, or a similar device while you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• If towing a person behind a personal watercraft, the PWC must be rated for three people—the operator, the observer, and the retrieved skier.
• In addition, it is also strongly recommended that:
  • All persons being towed behind a vessel on water skis or any other device wear a U.S. Coast Guard–approved PFD (this is required by law if towed behind a PWC). Ski belts are not U.S. Coast Guard–approved.
  • Persons be towed behind a vessel on water skis or any other device only during daylight hours.

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