New York Safe Boating - 2020 - 65

The operator also must carry:

PWC are prohibited within 500 feet of a swimming area
unless the opposite shore is less than 500 feet away, or
when launching or returning to the launch. If you are riding a
PWC within 500 feet of a marked swimming area under one
of these exceptions, you must keep your speed under 10
miles per hour. Remember that ALL boats must follow the 5
MPH speed limit when within 100 feet of shore.

	a sound producing device, such as a horn or

whistle that is audible for at least one-half mile and
capable of sounding for a duration of two or more
seconds; and

	a fluorescent orange flag (1 square foot minimum)

or any US COAST GUARD approved visual distress
signal.

All PWC operators must be:

	At least 14 years of age and show proof of

New York State law does not require you to carry a fire
extinguisher, but federal law (and the law of surrounding
states) requires a fire extinguisher on all motorized boats,
including PWC's. So if you ride in tidal waters or the
major rivers in the state, you must carry a fire extinguisher.
Because it is the safest and easiest course of action, State
Parks recommends that you carry a fire extinguisher on
board your PWC at all times.

completing a New York Safe Boating Course or
other approved boating safety course; or

	have someone over 18 riding on the same machine
with them who has a boating safety certificate.

PWC Rental
You must be at least 16 years old to rent a PWC, and must
have identification and proof of age. If you are less than
the age of 18, you must have an approved boating safety
certificate in order to rent a PWC. If you are over 18 and do
not have a boating safety certificate, you may rent a PWC,
but you must remain within 2500 feet of the rental office,
or if the rental office provides a guide, within 500 feet
of the guide. The rental operator must also demonstrate
correct operating procedures and the proper use of safety
equipment.

Once you gather all of the required equipment for your
PWC, consider other gear that can make your outing more
enjoyable. This includes footwear, goggles or sunglasses, a
wet suit, and gloves.

Operating Restrictions

It is recommended that no person be permitted to ride a
personal watercraft if he or she cannot hold on to the person
in front (or handholds) or whose feet cannot reach the deck
in order to maintain balance during operation. It is also
recommended that no passengers sit in front of the operator
onboard a PWC.

The Close Call
It was the end of the first camp out of the year at the family's
favorite lake side campsite. All weekend long they had
been watching other campers enjoying their personal
watercraft on the lake, so when neighboring campers
offered to let them borrow their PWC, the family jumped at
the chance.

You may not operate your PWC between the hours of sunset
and sunrise. Adding lights to the machine does not permit
nighttime operation. It's the machine's low profile in the
water that makes it unsafe to operate after dark. Remember
that sunset occurs 20-30 minutes before dark, so be sure
to leave enough time to get back to the launch site before
sunset.

Dad, Mom, and 10 year old Corey put on borrowed life
jackets before heading out for what they thought would be
a quick turn around the bay. But once the family was away
from shore, they found that the wind had kicked up three
foot waves. Suddenly, Dad capsized as a huge wave hit him
broadside. It threw him off the machine and into the cold
water.

If you're operating a PWC, the same laws regarding
reckless operation that apply to all boats apply to you, too.
In addition, New York State law specifically defines three
actions as reckless operation of a PWC:

	weaving through congested traffic;
	jumping the wake of another boat at an

He had difficultly holding on because his hands were so
cold, and his arms began to ache with the effort of trying
to turn the PWC upright again in the choppy water. To
make matters much worse, his borrowed life jacket didn't
fit properly and kept riding higher and higher above his
shoulders. Instead of being able to float in the water, he was
struggling to keep his mouth and nose free of the life jacket.

unreasonably or unnecessarily close distance or
when visibility around the other boat is obstructed;
and

	swerving at the last possible moment to avoid
collision (playing "chicken").

65



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