Code of Massachusetts Regulations
323 CMR - DIVISION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT
Title 323 CMR 4.00 - The Operation Of Personal Watercraft
Section 4.03 - Operation

Universal Citation: 323 MA Code of Regs 323.4

Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024

(1) Minimum Age. No person shall operate a personal watercraft if such person is:

(a) Under the age of 16;

(b) 16 or 17 years of age without first having received a safety certificate evidencing satisfactory completion of a training course in safe operation conducted by the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, the United States Power Squadron, the Division of Law Enforcement, or such other entity approved in writing by the Director.

(c) 16 or 17 years of age without having first received a safety certificate evidencing satisfactory completion of a training program in personal watercraft safety conducted by the Division of Law Enforcement or other such entity approved in writing by the Director.

(2) Personal Floatation Device. Any person aboard a personal watercraft shall wear at all times a Coast Guard approved personal flotation device of Type I, II, III or V.

(3) Towing. No person shall tow a water skier or any person in any other manner from a personal watercraft.

(4) Evening Operation. No person shall operate a personal watercraft between the hours of sunset and sunrise, as determined by the chart set forth at 323 CMR 2.00, Appendix I, or when vision is unduly restricted by the weather.

(5) Safe Operation. No person shall operate a personal watercraft except in a safe and prudent manner, having due regard for other waterborne traffic, posted speed and wake restrictions, 323 CMR 4.00et. seq., and all other attendant circumstances, so as not to endanger the life, limb or property of any person.

No person who owns, rents, operates or who otherwise has charge of a personal watercraft shall permit said personal watercraft to be operated in violation of M.G.L. C. 90B or any applicable regulation 323 CMR 2.00 and 323 CMR 4.00.

(6) Negligent Operation. No person shall operate a personal watercraft in a negligent manner. The following are prohibited as examples of negligent operation:

(a) Unreasonably jumping, or attempting to jump, the wake of another vessel;

(b) Following within 150 feet of a water skier;

(c) Weaving through congested vessel traffic;

(d) Speeding in restricted areas;

(e) Crossing unreasonably close to another vessel;

(f) Operating a personal watercraft in such a manner that it endangers the life, limb or property of any person;

(g) Towing a waterskier or any person in any manner from a personal watercraft; and

(h) Operating a personal watercraft during the evening, as defined by 323 CMR 4.03(4).

(7) Modification. Except as otherwise provided in 323 CMR 4.03(9), no person shall:

(a) Remove or modify the exhaust or muffler system of a personal watercraft, or

(b) Operate a personal watercraft so modified.

(8) Exceptions.

(a) The provision of 323 CMR 4.03(6)(a) throguh (h) and (7)(a) through (e) shall not apply to a person performing in an event for which a permit has been issued in writing by the director.

(b) The provisions of 323 CMR 4.03(7)(a) through (d) shall not apply in an area expressly designated in writing by the director or his designee as appropriate for personal watercraft operation.

(9) Automatic Cut-Off. Every person operating a personal watercraft equipped by the manufacturer with a lanyard type engine cut-off switch shall attach said lanyard to his person, clothing, or personal floatation device as is appropriate for the specific craft.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Massachusetts may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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