The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission changed the guidelines for distance learning. So, the old Boat Pennsylvania boating license course and test was discontinued on July 1, 2008.

• Take the NEW Boat Pennsylvania Online Course!
• Or, you can order the Boat Pennsylvania Video Course

The course material below remains as a resource for all who boat on Pennsylvania's waters—particularly experienced boaters who need a refresher, but not a boater's license.

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.

• You must have a Boating Safety Education Certificate to operate a PWC legally.
• Everyone on board a PWC must wear a U.S. Coast Guard–approved Type I, II, III, or V personal flotation device (PFD) at all times. Inflatable PFDs are not acceptable on a PWC. Type III PFDs are recommended.
• An operator of a PWC equipped with a lanyard-type ignition safety switch must attach the lanyard to his or her person, clothing, or PFD.
• PWC operators must carry on board a fully charged fire extinguisher and a sound-producing device.
• PWCs may be operated during daylight hours only (sunrise to sunset).
• PWCs must be operated in a responsible manner. It is illegal to:
  • Weave your PWC through congested waterway traffic or swerve at the last possible moment in order to avoid collision.
  • Operate a PWC at greater than “slow, no wake speed” if within 100 feet of a shoreline, docks, or launch ramps; swimmers, downed skiers, or persons wading in the water; or anchored, moored, or drifting vessels or floats.
  • Cause a PWC to become airborne while crossing another vessel’s wake when within 100 feet of the vessel creating the wake.
  • Operate at faster than “slow, no wake speed” within 100 feet to the rear of or 50 feet to the side of another vessel that is underway (unless in a narrow channel).
  • Operate within 100 feet of anyone being towed behind another vessel.

Remember—As an owner of a PWC, you are responsible if you knowingly allow anyone else to operate your PWC in violation of Pennsylvania 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, inner tubes, or any similar devices must obey these laws also.

• All persons being towed behind a vessel on water skis or any other device must wear a U.S. Coast Guard–approved PFD.
• A USCG–approved PFD must be carried in the vessel for each skier electing to wear a special water-skiing wetsuit.
• Inflatable PFDs are not acceptable for anyone being towed behind a vessel.
• In addition to the operator, a competent observer must be on board the vessel and seated in a position to observe the progress of the person being towed. A competent observer is a person who can assess when a skier is in trouble, knows and understands the water-skiing hand signals, and is capable of helping a skier.
• Persons may be towed behind a vessel on water skis or any other device during daylight hours only (sunrise to sunset).
• If vessel traffic permits, skiers may start from the shore or dock. Skiers may not be returned to the shore or dock under power.
• If towing a person behind a personal watercraft, these rules apply.
  • The PWC must be rated for at least three people—the operator, the observer, and the retrieved skier.
  • You may not tow more than one skier.

Ski Tow Ropes

Ski tow ropes may not exceed the following lengths:

• Conventional water-skiing—80 feet
• Parasailing—300 feet
• Nonreleasable kite-skiing—150 feet
• Releasable kite-skiing—500 feet

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