Boating Basics: Specifically for PWCs

Courtesy When Encountering Other Vessels

• Jumping the wake of a passing boat, or riding too close to another PWC or boat, creates risks and is restricted or even prohibited in some states. The vessel making the wake may block the PWC operator’s view of oncoming traffic and also conceal the PWC operator from approaching vessels.

• Excessive noise from PWCs often makes them unwelcome with other vessel operators and people on shore. Be a courteous PWC operator.
  • Vary your operating area, and do not keep repeating the same maneuver.
  • Avoid congregating with other PWC operators near shore, which increases annoying noise levels.
  • Avoid making excessive noise near residential and camping areas, particularly early in the morning.
  • Avoid maneuvers that cause the engine exhaust to lift out of the water because that increases noise levels.
  • Do not modify your engine exhaust system if it increases the noise. Improperly modified exhausts will not make your PWC faster and may raise the noise to an illegal level.