§ 23-2-531 — Personal Watercraft Operation

23-2-531 . Personal watercraft operation. In addition to applicable provisions in this part, a person may not operate a personal watercraft:
(1) unless a person operating or riding on the vessel is wearing a United States coast guard approved type of personal flotation device;
(2) if the vessel is equipped by the manufacturer with a lanyard type engine cutoff switch unless the lanyard is attached to the operator's person, clothing, or personal flotation device as is appropriate for the specific vessel;
(3) (a) except as provided for standup personal watercraft in subsection (3)(b) or when towing a waterskier from or to a dock or shore, at greater than no-wake speed within 200 feet of a dock, swimmer, swimming raft, nonmotorized boat, or anchored vessel on a lake or river;
(b) at greater than the minimum speed necessary to operate a personal watercraft when leaving or returning directly from or to a dock or shore for the purpose of launching or docking; or
(4) on any surface waters restricted in whole or in part by rule of the fish and wildlife commission;
(5) in a reckless or negligent manner. Actions prohibited in 23-2-523 are considered reckless operation.

Legislative History

En. Sec. 7, Ch. 728, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 345, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 569, L. 1999; amd. Sec. 7, Ch. 299, L. 2025.