Arizona State Specific Laws

Personal watercraft; requirements for operation; definition

1. A person shall not operate a personal watercraft unless each person aboard is wearing a workable personal flotation device that is approved by the United States Coast Guard.

• All watercraft, except sailboards, must be equipped with at least one U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (Type I, II, III or V) for each person aboard. Such devices must be in good and serviceable condition, readily accessible, and must fit the person for whom they are intended.

• All watercraft 16 feet and over must be equipped with at least one U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (Type I, II, III or V ) for each person aboard and one Type IV throwable personal flotation device except for canoe or kayak. Wear means the PFD is adjusted for a snug fit, fastened, snapped, tied, zipped, or secured and worn according to manufacturer's design of recommended use.

• When operating a personal watercraft you must be sure that all persons aboard are wearing a personal flotation device.

• Any person being towed behind a watercraft must wear a personal flotation device or buoyant belt.

2. Whenever the boat is underway, children 12 years of age and under must wear properly sized life jackets - U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (Type I, II, III or V).

3. All watercraft under 26 feet long and using as fuel any volatile liquid having a flashpoint of 110 degrees Fahrenheit or less must carry at least one U.S. Coast Guard approved type B-I portable fire extinguisher.

   A fire extinguisher is required if the vessel has:

   • An inboard engine

   • Closed compartments under seats where portable fuel tanks may be stored

   • Double bottoms not sealed to the hull or which are not completely filled with flotation materials

   • Closed living spaces

   • Closed stowage compartments in which combustible or flammable materials are stored

   • Permanently installed fuel tanks (fuel tanks secured so they cannot be moved in case of fire or other emergency are considered permanently installed)

   • A fixed fire extinguishing system installed in the engine compartment

   Watercraft from 26 to 40 feet long must carry at least two type B-I portable fire extinguishers or at least one type B-II portable fire extinguisher. When a fixed fire extinguishing system is installed in the machinery space, there must be on board at least one type B-I approved hand portable fire extinguisher.

   Watercraft from 40 to 65 feet long must carry at least three B-I portable fire extinguishers or at least one type B-I portable plus one type B-II hand portable fire extinguishers. When a fixed fire extinguishing system is installed in the machinery space, there must be on board at least two type B-I approved hand portable fire extinguishers or at least one type B-II approved hand portable fire extinguishers.

   Ventilation is required on all boats which use gasoline as a fuel and have enclosed engine or fuel storage compartments. Regulations require a means of properly and effectively ventilating the bilge areas of engine or fuel storage compartments to remove flammable or explosive gasses.

4. A person who operates a personal watercraft that is equipped by the manufacturer with a lanyard type engine cutoff switch shall attach the lanyard to his body, clothing or personal flotation device as appropriate for the specific watercraft.

5. A person shall not operate or knowingly allow another person to operate a personal watercraft under his ownership or control in a reckless or negligent manner endangering the life or property of another person. Prima-facie evidence of reckless operation exists if the person commits two or more of the following acts simultaneously:

1. Operates the personal watercraft within a zone of proximity to another watercraft closer than sixty feet unless both are traveling at a wakeless speed or are traveling at a speed of five miles per hour or less.

2. Operates the personal watercraft within the vicinity of a motorboat in a manner that obstructs the visibility of either operator.

3. Heads into the wake of a motorboat that is within a zone of proximity closer than sixty feet and causes one-half or more of the length of the personal watercraft to leave the water.

4. A person must not operate a watercraft while allowing any person to ride on the gunwales, the transom, or the decked over bow of a watercraft propelled by machinery operating in excess of a wakeless speed unless that portion of the watercraft was designed and constructed for the purpose of carrying passengers at all speeds or the watercraft is being maneuvered for anchoring, mooring or casting off moorings.

5. A watercraft must not be operated with a passenger or passengers on the bow in such a manner as to obstruct the view of the operator.

6. A watercraft must not be operated in excess of a posted speed limit or at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions, having regard to the actual and potential hazards existing. Speed must be controlled as necessary to avoid colliding with any person or other watercraft, creating dangerous wake, swamping other watercraft or otherwise endangering the lives or property of others.

7. It is illegal to chase, harass or disturb wildlife with your PWC.

6. Arizona law prohibits anyone from operating a motor powered vessel while under the influence of alcohol (OUI) or any drug that causes the person to be even slightly impaired.

   Alcohol and drugs cause impaired balance, blurred vision, poor coordination, impaired judgment, and slow reaction time. Alcohol contributes to about one-third of all boating accidents nationwide.

   A person is considered to be operating under the influence of alcohol if he or she has an alcohol concentration of 0.08% BAC or greater as determined by a test of his or her breath, blood or urine.

   • If convicted of operating while under the influence, a person can be fined up to $2,500 and jailed for up to six months. Subsequent convictions carry even more severe penalties.

   Extreme OUI is 0.15% (or greater) BAC.

   • If convicted a violator could serve not less than 30 days in jail and is not eligible for probation or suspension of execution of sentence (a judge can order the violator to complete an alcohol or drug screening, education, or treatment program and reduce the jail time to 10 days). A fine not less than $250 will be incurred if an accident is involved, cost for all emergency response will be charged to the violator.

   By operating a vessel on Arizona waters, you are compelled by statute to be tested for alcohol or drugs, if arrested by a law enforcement officer, for alleged violations under Arizona watercraft statues.

7. If equipped by the manufacturer, a person shall not operate a personal watercraft without a functioning spring-loaded throttle mechanism that immediately returns the engine to an idle speed on release of the operator's hand from the control or without any other engine cutoff feature that is installed by the manufacturer.

8. A personal watercraft shall not be loaded and operated with passengers or cargo beyond its safe carrying capacity or the manufacturer's recommended limits. It is illegal to allow a person to ride on the gunwales, transom or the decked over bow of a motorized watercraft in excess of wakeless speed.

   All new watercraft 20 feet or less in length sold or manufactured in Arizona after January 1, 1971, must have a capacity plate attached and readily visible from the position normally occupied by the operator of the watercraft.

9. A person who owns, leases or hires a personal watercraft or who has charge or control over a personal watercraft shall not authorize or knowingly permit the personal watercraft to be operated in violation of existing laws.

10. In order to legally operate a personal watercraft without an adult on board you must be at least 12 years old.

    Except in case of emergency, no person under the age of twelve years may operate a watercraft propelled by a motor greater than eight horsepower, unless the person's parent or legal guardian or at least one person who is eighteen years of age or older is present on the watercraft. Note: A PWC is greater than eight horsepower.

11. In order to legally water ski you must have an observer in addition to the boat operator, display a ski flag whenever the skier is in the water and not ski between sunset and sunrise.

1. The observer must display a bright or brilliant orange or red flag visible from all directions, no less than 12 x 12 inches on a side and mounted on a handle, at all times when the skier is down in the water and not actually skiing.

2. No person may operate water skis or similar contrivances in a careless or reckless manner so as to endanger life or property, or in a manner contrary to that designated by regulatory markers.

3. Any person being towed behind a watercraft must wear a personal flotation device or buoyant belt.

12. Give Way Vessel: The vessel that must yield, when in a meeting, crossing, or overtaking situation.

    Stand-On Vessel: The vessel that is to maintain course and speed.

1. PWCs/boats leaving the shoreline must give way to watercraft approaching the shoreline.

2. The operator of a watercraft under power must give way to any craft not under power, unless the un-powered craft is overtaking the powered craft.

3. Operators of watercraft must give way to watercraft entering its "danger zone," which is an area from straight ahead to 112 and one half degrees to starboard (right side) in cases where a collision might occur. The boat entering the "danger zone" is the stand on vessel.

4. Watercraft may pass on either side when overtaking another, but the operator of the passing watercraft is responsible for any collision resulting and for his wake. Watercraft being overtaken must maintain course and speed.

5. Watercraft meeting head-on must pass portside to portside when practical to do so.

6. Do not assume the water is clear of obstructions. Rocks, sand bars, submerged pilings can seriously damage the craft or those on board. Check marine charts and stay in marked channels. Keep a sharp look out.

7. Counterclockwise is the normal direction of traffic on a lake.

13. A white and orange regulatory marker (buoy) with a circle indicates a controlled area such as no wake or no fishing zone.

    The Arizona Uniform State Waterway Marking System alerts boaters to danger and gives directions and restrictions. It is unlawful to moor or fasten a watercraft to any regulatory marker or remove, obstruct or interfere with any regulatory marker.

    Regulatory markers are can-shaped buoys. Geometric shapes painted on regulatory markers indicate:

• A diamond means danger. The nature of the danger may be indicated, e.g. rocks, reefs, dams, construction, or snags.

• A diamond with a cross inside means no boats are allowed.

• Circles mean caution or controlled area. The nature of the restriction is indicated, e.g. speed limit, no wake, no ski, ski only.

• A square or rectangular shape indicates information, directions, distances, names of places, or other general information.

• A can-shaped buoy with alternate black and white vertical stripes means the watercraft should not pass between the buoy and the shore.

• Mooring buoys are white with a horizontal blue band halfway between the top of the buoy and the waterline.

• All red buoys are on the starboard (right side) when going upstream. Nun or conical shaped, it may show a white even number.

• All green buoys are on the port (left) side when going upstream. It will be can-shaped and may show a white odd number.

14. If you are involved in a boating collision or accident you are required to render aid if needed, identify yourself and watercraft, and file a report of the accident to Arizona Game and Fish Department if injuries are beyond first aid or results in more than $500 damages.

    The operator is required to provide his name, address and the identification of his watercraft to any person injured and to the owners of any property damaged. A report of any boating accident must be filed directly with the Arizona Game and Fish Department by the owner or operator of the watercraft. Boating accident forms are provided by the Department, or other investigating officer, and must be filed within 48 hours if death or injury results from the occurrence. In all other cases, a report must be submitted within five days. Report forms are generally available from law enforcement personnel at the lakes, first aid stations, marinas, ranger stations and from the Game and Fish Department

    The definition of wakeless speed is a speed that does not create a wake but in no case in excess of 5 miles per hour.

15. On the Colorado River and its lakes, a sound-producing device must be carried or used whenever boating.

16. The Arizona Game and Fish Department registers watercraft. The registration numbers on a boat consist of the letters AZ followed by no more than 4 numbers and one or two capital letters with a space or dash between letters and the numbers.

• The PWC/boat owner must file an application for number with the Arizona Game and Fish Department on forms provided. The number issued must be displayed on each side of the bow and read left to right along with the current registration decal issued by the Department.

• Registration is staggered, similar to motor vehicle registration. Decals issued will be the color of the year of expiration. For information on registration fees call: (602) 942-3000.

• If ownership of a watercraft changes, the new owner must notify the Department within 15 days if his address changes or if a watercraft is stolen.

• No number other than the one issued by the Department may be displayed on the forward half of any watercraft.

• The registration certificate (certificate of number) must be aboard when a watercraft is in use.

• If a certificate of number is lost or destroyed, a duplicate may be obtained from the Department.

17. It's required that watercraft operating during the hours from sunset to sunrise display navigation lights. Most personal watercraft are not made with the lights which the law requires for night riding.

• Inland rules for lights on motorboats under 26 feet are a red and green combination light forward, and a bright white light aft to show all around the horizon (360 degrees).

• Motorboats 26 to 65 feet must display a 225 degree light on the bow as close to the center line as is practical and a white 360 degree light aft and higher than the bow light to show all around the horizon. Separate side lights showing red 112 and a half degrees to port and green 112 and a half degrees to starboard must be used and fitted with screens to prevent them from being seen across the bow.

• All sailboats without an auxiliary engine on board must display separate red and green lights forward and a white 135 degrees.

• Manually propelled watercraft must carry a lantern or flashlight showing a light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to avert collision. Lights are not necessary on waters where power craft are prohibited.

• All watercraft, when anchored in other than a special anchorage area, must from sunset to sunrise, carry and display a steady white light visible all around the horizon for a distance of no less than two miles.

18. Motorized watercraft operated on state waterways must be equipped with an effective device or devices to prevent excessive noise.

    No watercraft may be operated in a manner that causes it to emit a sound level in excess of 86 decibels on the standard "A" scale when measured from a distance of 50 feet or more. Watercraft competing in an approved race or has been issued a race testing permit from the Arizona Game and Fish Department are exempt.

19. All inboard gasoline engines must be equipped with a backfire flame arrestor that is approved for marine use and suitably secured to each carburetor air intake.

    This device is designed to prevent backfire hazard by containing flame and preventing fire or explosion. Flame arrestors must be kept clean to be effective. In lieu of a flame arrestor, open inboard gasoline engines may be fitted with velocity stacks or other similar fixtures. Such devices must be of metallic construction, securely fastened to each carburetor air intake, and so designed and installed that any backfire flame will be directed away from the boat and its occupants and dispersed into the open atmosphere. Automotive type air cleaners, with filters of paper or similar construction, are not adequate for marine use and are not permitted.

20. Check the weather forecast before starting out.

    Be alert for the wave, wind, cloud changes that signal bad weather approaching. Cold water robs body heat 25 times faster than air of the same temperature. If you fall off your craft into cold water, immediately re-board.

21. For purposes of this section, "personal watercraft" means a watercraft that is less than sixteen feet long, propelled by machinery powering a water jet pump and designed to be operated by a person who sits, stands or kneels on rather than sitting or standing inside the watercraft.