PWC Safety:

• Wear a personal floatation device (PFD). All riders must wear a Coast Guard-approved PFD that is suitable for PWC use.
• Wear protective clothing. Severe internal injuries can occur if water is forced into body cavities as a result of falling into the water or being near the jet thrust nozzle. All riders must wear a wet suit bottom or clothing that provides equivalent protection (see your owner’s manual). Footwear, gloves, and goggles/glasses are recommended.
• Know boating laws. PWC manufacturers recommend a minimum operator age of 16 years old. Know the operating age and education requirements for your state. A boating safety course is recommended and may be required in your state.
• Attach engine shut-off cord (lanyard) to wrist and keep it free from the handlebars so that the engine stops if the operator falls off. After riding, remove cord from PWC to avoid unauthorized use by children or others.
• Ride within your limits and avoid aggressive maneuvers to reduce the risk of loss of control, ejection, and collision. A PWC is a high performance boat – not a toy. Sharp turns or jumping wakes or waves can increase the risk of back/spinal injury (paralysis), facial injuries, and broken legs, ankles, and other bones. Do not jump wakes or waves.
• Do not apply throttle when anyone is at rear of PWC—turn the engine off. Water and/or debris exiting jet thrust nozzle can cause severe injury.
• Keep away from intake grate while engine is on. Items such as long hair, loose clothing, or PFD straps can become entangled in moving parts resulting in severe injury or drowning.
• Never ride after consuming drugs or alcohol.
• PWC are remarkable boats, and should be treated with the same responsibility and caution as any other motorized vessel. PWIA encourages state legislatures to adopt its model legislation (see government relations section) that includes:
  • Mandatory boater education for all PWC operators
  • A minimum age requirement of 16 years old to operate a PWC
  • Sunset curfews
  • Reckless operation restrictions
  • Other reasonable regulations that help keep our waterways safer
  • PWIA Model Legislation
  • Riding Rules for Personal Watercraft
  • Boating Safety Courses approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. Find a full list here.

All Vessel Safety:

• NMMA and PWIA support mandatory boater education. NMMA and PWIA believe that boater education is the key to accident prevention and increasing boater safety.
• NMMA and PWIA support mandatory lifejacket wear for all PWC riders
• NMMA and PWIA support safer riding through the NMMA Certified program—PWC that are NMMA Certified are built to tougher standards that actually exceed U.S. Coast Guard mandates. Look for PWC that are “NMMA Certified” to ensure it is manufactured to an exceptional standard of quality and safety.
• There are many in person and online boater education courses available:
  • BoatUS offers a free online course and exam that you can offer to your customers. It is accepted by many states and can be found here.
  • The US Power Squadron also offers boating courses. Find a local course and sign up here.
  • The US Coast Guard offers a comprehensive list of boating classes available to public, including their own courses, here.
  • For state by state rules and regulations, use PWIA’s rules and regulations page, or the National Association for State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) reference guide, here.