Laws and Regulations

Several national organizations monitor and regulate personal watercraft in the United States. They include:

• The National Transportation Safety Board, which investigates accidents and recommends courses of action through other agencies
• The Environmental Protection Agency, which regulates emissions
• The United States Coast Guard, which provides boating safety regulations and maritime law enforcement

Photo courtesy Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. Yamaha FX Cruiser High Output

The U.S. Coast Guard classifies personal watercraft as inboard boats, so operators and passengers must follow the same laws and guidelines as other boaters. Additional regulations vary by state. The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators has a complete state-by-state listing of personal-watercraft laws. It is up to all operators and passengers to make sure they use their watercraft safely and in compliance with local laws.

For more information on personal watercraft and related topics, check out the links on the next page.