Wa-18 in washington state, what is required of a person to operate a boat of 15 hp or more?

In addition to the laws that apply to all vessels, there are additional laws that apply specifically to personal watercraft.

Do not underestimate PWCs – they are very powerful for their small size and demand the same respect as any boat. In fact, PWC operation must adhere to the same rules and regulations as any other powerboat – including registration with the state and a B-1 class fire extinguisher aboard.

PWCs have some additional requirements:

• The operator as well as all passengers on a PWC must be wearing an inherently buoyant U.S. Coast Guard approved Type I, II, or III PFD.
• When towing someone on a tube or on water skis, there must be capacity on the PWC to accommodate the operator, the observer as well as the tuber/skier(s).
• PWCs must stay at a distance of 200ft from other water skiers or others being towed behind a vessel.
• PWCs must operate at slow-no wake speed, maximum 5 mph limit when:
  • Within 200ft of a swimmer, surfer, diving flag, bank or wading angler, dock, swim float, boat launch, ramp, pier, marina, floating home, moorage area, or boathouse;
  • Within 100ft of any anchored or non-motorized vessel; or
  • Within 200ft of shoreline on all lakes, reservoirs, and bays.

• PWC operators in Washington State must not exceed 10mph when approaching within 100ft of a motorized or sailing vessel that is underway.
• A person shall not operate a PWC in a reckless manner including weaving through congested traffic, recklessly jumping the wake of another boat unreasonably or unnecessarily close to the boat, or when visibility around the boat is obstructed. A person shall not recklessly swerve at the last possible moment to avoid a collision i.e. ‘spraying’ another boater.
• A person shall not lease, hire or rent a personal watercraft to a person under the age of sixteen.

Personal watercraft may not be operated during hours of darkness (sunset to sunrise).

Take this Washington–approved course to complete your online boating safety education. Boat-ed.com is a delegated provider for the Washington State Parks.