RCW 79A.60.190
Operation of personal watercraft—Prohibited activities—Penalties.
(1) A person shall not operate a personal watercraft unless each person aboard the personal watercraft is wearing a personal flotation device approved by the commission. Except as provided for in RCW 79A.60.020, a violation of this subsection is a civil infraction punishable under RCW 7.84.100.
(2) A person operating a personal watercraft equipped by the manufacturer with a lanyard-type engine cutoff switch shall attach the lanyard to his or her person, clothing, or personal flotation device as appropriate for the specific vessel. It is unlawful for any person to remove or disable a cutoff switch that was installed by the manufacturer.
(3) A person shall not operate a personal watercraft during darkness.
(4) A person under the age of fourteen shall not operate a personal watercraft on the waters of this state.
(5) A person shall not operate a personal watercraft in a reckless manner, including recklessly weaving through congested vessel traffic, recklessly jumping the wake of another vessel unreasonably or unnecessarily close to the vessel or when visibility around the vessel is obstructed, or recklessly swerving at the last possible moment to avoid collision.
(6) A person shall not lease, hire, or rent a personal watercraft to a person under the age of sixteen.
(7) Subsections (1) through (6) of this section shall not apply to a performer engaged in a professional exhibition or a person participating in a regatta, race, marine parade, tournament, or exhibition authorized or otherwise permitted by the appropriate agency having jurisdiction and authority to authorize such events.
(8) Violations of subsections (2) through (6) of this section constitute a misdemeanor under RCW 9.92.030.
[ 2000 c 11 § 101; 1993 c 244 § 17. Formerly RCW 88.12.145.]
NOTES:
Intent—1993 c 244: See note following RCW 79A.60.010.
Structure Revised Code of Washington
Title 79A - Public Recreational Lands
Chapter 79A.60 - Regulation of Recreational Vessels.
79A.60.030 - Operation of vessel in a negligent manner—Penalty.
79A.60.045 - Vessel impoundment—Procedure—Forfeiture.
79A.60.050 - Homicide by watercraft—Penalty.
79A.60.060 - Assault by watercraft—Penalty.
79A.60.080 - Failure to stop for law enforcement officer.
79A.60.090 - Eluding a law enforcement vessel.
79A.60.100 - Enforcement—Chapter to supplement federal law.
79A.60.110 - Equipment standards—Rules—Penalty.
79A.60.120 - Tampering with vessel lights or signals—Exhibiting false lights or signals—Penalty.
79A.60.130 - Muffler or underwater exhaust system required—Exemptions—Enforcement—Penalty.
79A.60.140 - Personal flotation devices—Inspection and approval—Rules.
79A.60.160 - Personal flotation devices required—Penalty.
79A.60.170 - Water skiing safety—Requirements.
79A.60.180 - Loading or powering vessel beyond safe operating ability—Penalties.
79A.60.190 - Operation of personal watercraft—Prohibited activities—Penalties.
79A.60.210 - Casualty and accident reports—Confidentiality—Use as evidence.
79A.60.220 - Boating accident reports by local government agencies—Investigation—Report of coroner.
79A.60.230 - Vessels adrift—Owner to be notified.
79A.60.240 - Notice—Contents—Service.
79A.60.250 - Posting of notice.
79A.60.260 - Compensation—Liability on failure to give notice.
79A.60.270 - Disputed claims—Trial—Bond.
79A.60.280 - Liability for excessive or negligent use.
79A.60.290 - Unclaimed vessel—Procedure.
79A.60.300 - Vessels secured pursuant to chapter 79A.65 RCW.
79A.60.400 - Vessels carrying passengers for hire on whitewater rivers—Purpose.
79A.60.430 - Vessels carrying passengers for hire on whitewater rivers—Safety requirements.
79A.60.460 - Vessels carrying passengers for hire on whitewater rivers—Rights-of-way.
79A.60.495 - Designation as whitewater river—Rules—Schedule of fines.
79A.60.498 - Uniform regulation of business and professions act.
79A.60.500 - Uniform waterway marking system.
79A.60.520 - Identification and designation of polluted and environmentally sensitive areas.
79A.60.560 - Boater environmental education program.
79A.60.570 - Grants for environmental education or boat waste management planning.
79A.60.580 - Review of programs by commission.
79A.60.590 - Allocation of funds.
79A.60.595 - Commission to adopt rules.
79A.60.600 - Liquid petroleum gas leak warning devices—Findings.
79A.60.610 - Recreational boating fire prevention education program.
79A.60.620 - Small spill prevention education program.
79A.60.630 - Boating safety education—Commission's duties—Fee—Report to the legislature.
79A.60.640 - Requirements to operate motor-driven boats/vessels—Exemptions—Penalty.
79A.60.650 - Boating safety education certification account.
79A.60.670 - Boating activities program—Boating activities advisory committee—Adoption of rules.
79A.60.680 - Study of boater needs—Funding recommendations.
79A.60.690 - Boating activities account.
79A.60.700 - Refusal to submit to certain tests—Not admissible as evidence—Penalty.
79A.60.710 - Vessels for hire—Requirements—Application of section—Penalty.