 |
|
|
|
Commonwealth of Massachusetts |
|
|
Massachusetts Environmental
Police |
|
|
Aaron Gross,
Director |
|
|
|
|
|
Massachusetts
Personal Watercraft (PWC) Safety Laws |
|
|
| |
| The following
abstracts summarize some important Massachusetts Personal
Watercraft (PWC) |
| Laws as of May 2003.
For further information on boat and PWC laws, contact the
Massachusetts |
| Environmental Police
at (508) 759-0002. |
|
| |
| Personal
Watercraft Defined: A personal watercraft is a Class A
inboard motorboat. |
| |
| Follow basic boating safety rules and laws, and protect
your privilege to operate personal watercraft. |
- Wear an approved life
preserver (PFD) at all times.
- Attach the safety lanyard to
yourself and the cutoff switch.
- Check throttle control and
steering before starting engine.
- Steering PWC requires
thrust, maintain speed when turning.
- Always operate at slow,
no-wake speed (6MPH or less) when within 150 feet of the
following:
- Swimmer
- Watercraft
- Raft or Float
- Shoreline
- Boat launch
- Moored or docked boat
- Never operate at all, within
150 feet of any bathing beach.
|
| No person shall
operate a PWC except in a safe and prudent manner, so as not to
endanger life, limb, or property. The following are examples of
negligence or other prohibited operation. |
| |
| You must not
operate: |
- If less than 16 years old
- During the nighttime
- On waters under 75 acres
- Under the influence of alcohol
- At high speed in congested areas
- While towing a skier, or any person in any manner
|
| |
|
| |
| This is only a
summary of Personal Watercraft (PWC) laws, which are subject
to change. You must |
| know and observe all
local, state, and federal laws. For further information on
Personal Watercraft (PWC) |
| laws contact
Massachusetts Environmental Police at (508) 759-0002. |
| |
| |
| Boat
and Recreation Vehicle Safety Bureau |
| 5205 Ent Street |
| Buzzards Bay, MA 02542-9998 |
|
Phone: 508-564-4961 |
| FAX: 508-564-4961 |
| |
|
|