Lawful Operation of a PWC
Using a PWC in a dangerous way without due care and attention violates the law and has serious legal consequences.
- Persons under 16 years of age may not operate a personal watercraft.
- A PWC must be operated in a responsible manner. As provided in the Small Vessel Regulations, manoeuvres that endanger people or property are prohibited, including:
- Ignoring boating restriction signs posted around the water
- Weaving through heavy traffic at greater than slow speed
- Riding your PWC at high speeds in circles or crisscross patterns for long periods of time in the same area
- Jumping the wake of another boat too close to the other boat in a way that causes too much engine noise
- Becoming airborne while crossing the wake of another boat that is less than 30 metres away
- Riding your PWC at greater than slow speed within 30 metres of:
- An anchored or moored vessel
- A shoreline, dock, pier, swim float, or marked swim area
- Swimmers, surfers, or anglers
- Non-motorized watercraft
- Following another boat too closely
- Swerving at the last possible moment to avoid a collision (playing “chicken”)
