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Navigation Law Updates
Personal Watercraft - Minimum Age of Operation
On January 1, 2006, a new law amending Section 49, Subdivision 1-a of the Navigation Law raising the
minimum age of operators of personal watercraft (PWC) to fourteen (14) went into effect. However, in
order to minimize the impact on riders currently under the age of fourteen (14) certain allowances have
been granted to phase in this new law.
Until January 1, 2009, those operators age ten (10) through thirteen (13)
that have a boating safety certificate may continue to operate a PWC if they are accompanied by:
- someone over 18 years of age and
- within 500 feet on another personal watercraft or vessel and
- within sight of the personal watercraft and
- holding a safety certificate of their own.
A Boating Safety Certificate is a certificate issued by the Commissioner, the United States Power
Squadron, United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, or in the case of a non-resident his/her home state or
country, as a result of completing a boating safety course.
This law only affects the operation of PWC's. Anyone over the age of ten (10) that holds a boating
safety certificate can still operate a motor boat alone. |
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