The following abstracts summarize some important Massachusetts
Personal Watercraft (PWC) Laws. For further information
on boat and PWC laws, contact the Massachusetts Environmental Police.
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:
- Shoreline
- Boat Launch
- Moored or Docked Boat
- Swimmer
- Watercraft
- Raft or Float
- 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
Please note: This is only a summary of Personal
Watercraft laws, which are subject to change. You must know and observe all
local, state, and federal laws. For further information on Personal
Watercraft laws contact Massachusetts Environmental Police.
Massachusetts 323 CMR 4.00 - Code of Massachusetts Regulations pertaining
to Personal Watercraft
