|
 LITTLE
ROCK - It’s the season in Arkansas for personal watercraft - those fun
machines on the state’s lakes and rivers. Jet skis, some people call
them, and others use trade names for the fast, maneuverable vessels.
But personal watercraft can be dangerous, even lethal if not handled
properly. Arkansas law addresses this with several regulations aimed at
reducing problems for personal watercraft users and others around them.
These laws are administered on lakes and rivers by Arkansas Game and
Fish Commission officers and by sheriffs' deputies in areas with water
patrols.
Here’s a summary of the personal watercraft laws:
*Operators must be at least 14 years old to operate a personal
watercraft without supervision. Persons 12 and 13 years old may operate
with someone at least 18 years on board. Persons under 12 must have
someone at least 21 years old on board in a position to take immediate
control of the personal watercraft.
*Anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1986 and
of legal age to operate a personal watercraft, must have successfully
completed an approved Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Boating
Education Course and carry proof while operating the vessel on Arkansas
waters.
*Personal watercraft operators must have an observer 12 years of age or
older to tow a skier. Mirrors are not allowed for skiing on personal
watercraft. Also, the personal watercraft must be able to accommodate
the operator, observer and person being towed. Personal watercraft must
be designed for a minimum of three persons in order to tow skiers.
*Personal watercraft cannot be operated from 30 minutes after sunset
until 30 minutes before sunrise. Running lights do not exempt personal
watercraft from this.
*The personal watercraft operator is required to wear the engine cut-off
lanyard (kill switch) securely attached to his/her person, clothing or
personal flotation device at all times while operating.
*Becoming airborne while jumping the wake of another vessel while
operating a personal watercraft within 100 feet of that vessel is
prohibited.
*Operators cannot exceed 10 miles per hour within 100 feet of the rear
of another boat or personal watercraft and within 50 feet of either side
of another boat or personal watercraft.
*Operating at a greater than no-wake speed within 100 feet of an
anchored or moored vessel, shoreline, dock pier, swim float, marked swim
area, swimmer, surfer, person engaged in angling or any manually
propelled vessel is prohibited.
*No person who owns a personal watercraft or who has charge over or
control of a personal watercraft may authorize or knowingly permit the
personal watercraft to be operated in violation of the personal
watercraft law. This applies to a renter, too.
*Marinas are required to have renters view a state-approved personal
watercraft video prior to operating a personal watercraft.
*All boats with motors over 50 horsepower and all personal watercraft
must have a minimum of $50,000 liability insurance before operating on
the waters of Arkansas.
*Proof of insurance is required in order to register a boat or renew a
registration.
*Boat marinas must carry a minimum $500,000 in liability coverage.
* Each person onboard a personal watercraft
must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved Type I, II, III or V life
jacket. Inflatable life jackets are not approved for use on personal
watercraft. |
