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PERSONAL WATERCRAFT OR "JET SKIS" LAWS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Personal watercraft, commonly called jet skis, are fast becoming an integral part of pastimes involving water sports.
Riding a personal watercraft can be an exhilarating experience. The driver has a sense of "flying through the water." The freedom of movement a personal watercraft gives a driver may cause him or her to be less careful if certain precautions are not taken.
In the interest of providing a safe environment for the operation of personal watercraft, Georgia has passed several laws which apply to personal watercraft operators.
- Each person aboard a personal watercraft must wear a United States Coast Guard approved personal flotation device, Type I, Type II, Type III, or Type V, which is properly fitted and fastened.
- No person shall rent, lease, or let for hire a personal watercraft to any person under the age of 16 years; provided, however, that personal watercraft may be rented, leased or let to a person age 12-15 years if such person is accompanied by and under the direct supervision of an adult 18 years of age or older. Direct supervision is defined as being within sight or hearing distance of the adult.
- No person shall operate a personal watercraft on the waters of this state after sunset or before sunrise.
- No person shall operate a personal watercraft on the waters of this state unless such personal watercraft is equipped with a self-circling device or a lanyard-type engine cutoff switch. If equipped with a self-circling device, such device must be fully operational. If equipped with a lanyard-type engine cutoff switch, the lanyard must be attached to the operator's clothing, body, or PFD.
- No person shall operate a personal watercraft on the waters of this state in excess of five miles per hours within 100 feet of any moored or anchored vessel, shore, wharf, dock, pier, piling, bridge structure or abutment, or a person in the water.
REGISTRATION OF PERSONAL WATERCRAFT
Personal watercraft, or jet skis, are considered Class A vessels under Georgia law and thereby must be registered. To request a boat registration application, contact the Boat Registration office of the Department of Natural Resources. Upon receipt of your completed application, the Boat Registration office will issue you decals and assign registration numbers for your personal watercraft, which must be affixed to the vessel.
TOWING SKIERS
It is legal to tow a skier behind a personal watercraft only if it is designed by the manufacturer to carry three or more persons. The skier must wear a ski belt, ski jacket, or a United States Coast Guard approved Type I, Type II, or III personal flotation device, properly fitted and fastened.
A competent observer other than the operator must be on board the personal watercraft. A wide angle mirror cannot be used in place of an observer to tow a skier with a personal watercraft.
REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT
The following items are required to operate a personal watercraft under Georgia law:
- United States Coast Guard approved Type I, II, III, or V personal flotation device, properly fitted and fastened. This requirement is for the driver and passengers.
- United States Coast Guard approved B-I fire extinguisher, charged and in proper operating condition.
- Self-circling device or lanyard-type engine cutoff switch. If equipped with a self-circling device, such device must be fully operational. If equipped with a lanyard-type engine cutoff switch, the lanyard must be attached to the operator's clothing, body, or PFD.
Recommended equipment includes protective eyewear, wetsuit, gloves, and footwear.
IMPORTANT!
- No one under the age of 12 may operate a personal watercraft.
- A person age 12-15 may operate a personal watercraft only if one of the following criteria are met:
- a. completion of a personal watercraft safety program which has been approved by the department;
- b. accompaniment by an adult 18 years or older, who has met all requirements relating to the operation of personal watercraft and who is not under the influence of alcohol or drugs; or
- c. under the direct supervision of an adult 18 years or older who is not under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Direct supervision is defined as being within sight or hearing distance of the adult.
- It shall be unlawful for a person who has temporary or permanent responsibility of a child or ward to allow the child or ward to violate any of the requirements listed above.
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