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Boating season also brings out Jet Skis and similar personal watercraft.
While the watercraft is not subject to all the same laws as a boat, Washington state still has regulations for such crafts.
Here’s everything you need to know about personal watercraft laws in Washington state:
What is considered a personal watercraft?
In Washington state, the term “personal watercraft” is applied to small vessels “with an inboard jet drive as its primary source of propulsion,” such as a Jet Ski or Sea-Doo, according to Boat-Ed, an official boat safety course provider.
These watercraft designed to be operated by a person sitting, standing or kneeling on the vessel, rather than inside like most motorboats.
Though they are smaller than motor-powered boats, personal watercraft must still be handled with care.
Most state boating laws apply to such vessels, and there are additional regulations specific to personal watercraft.
Who can legally ride Jet Skis in Washington state?
You need a Washington State Boater Education Card to operate a personal watercraft.
In addition, you must be least 14 to operate a personal watercraft.
Operating a Jet Ski when under age 14 comes with a fine of $500.
To lease, hire or rent a Jet Ski or a similar vessel in Washington said, you must be at least 16.
You can have passengers on your vessel, so long as you do not exceed the weight limit.
Passengers are not allowed to be in front of the operator. They need to sit behind whoever drives the craft.
Passengers must be able to “securely” hold the driver or the handholds, while also keeping both feet on the footrests, according to Boat-Ed. If a passenger is too small to do so, they should not ride the craft.
How to get a boater education card in WA
Most boaters in Washington state are required to complete a safety course in order to receive their boater education cards.
You’ll need one if you’re operating personal watercraft such as a Jet Ski.
You must obtain your boater education card within 60 days of purchasing a Jet Ski. Cards are valid for a lifetime, and meet the requirements for recreational boating in many other states as well as in Canada.
Temporary cards are issued to individuals renting a boat that have completed a watercraft safety checklist.
These are the steps for obtaining a Boater Education Card in Washington state:
- Pass a state-approved boating safety course or equivalency exam to receive a certification of completion.
- Print your certificate. This is your temporary card for 60 days and must be with you when boating.
- Submit a Boater Education Card application with a copy of the certificate and a check or money order for $10 to the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission Boating Program.
- A card will be mailed to you within two to four weeks of this application being received.
How to take boating safety courses in Washington
These safety courses can be taken online at any time for varying fees. Different courses offer different experiences, and none are specifically recommended by the state boating program.
There are multiple options at various price points, with offerings including narrated study guides, interactive coursework or a virtual instructor. All options come with practice tests.
For personal watercraft, course materials cover water navigation rules, operation mechanisms, blind spots, reboarding, Washington state standards and more.
There is a free study guide available to all online. You can also request the certification exam booklet directly by emailing the Boating Program with your legal name and mailing address.
Alternatively, limited in-person classes are also available.
If you have a valid Boater Education Card from another state, refer to Washington State Parks to determine if it is also valid in Washington. If so, you can submit a card application for a $10 fee to receive a Washington state card. You must do this within 60 days of moving to the state.
The fine for not having your Boater Education Card with you while operating a vessel is $87. Replacement cards cost $5.
Is driving a Jet Ski similar to a boat?
Many of the laws surrounding boating in Washington state extend to personal watercraft, and operating one comes with the same responsibilities as any other boat.
“Do not underestimate (personal watercraft) - they are very powerful for their small size and demand the same respect as any boat,” said the Washington Boating Rules and Regulations Handbook published by Kalkomey Enterprises, LLC.
Boat-Ed recommends these practices while operating a personal watercraft:
- Never ride too closely behind another personal watercraft.
- Always look behind you, over both shoulders, before making a turn.
- Stay aware of all traffic in your area.
What are speed limits for personal watercraft?
Washington state restricts the speed of personal watercraft in certain areas.
Under state law, drivers must drive at “no wake speeds,” or a maximum of 5 mph, when:
- Within 200 feet 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 200 feet of shoreline on all lakes, reservoirs and bays
- Within 100 feet of any anchored or non-motorized vessel
Drivers must not exceed 10 mph when within 100 feet of a motorized or sailing vessel that is underway, according to Boat-Ed.
What equipment am I required to carry on personal watercraft?
In Washington state, vessels are required to carry certain equipment and documents.
This includes a state title and current registration for personal watercraft, which needs to be renewed annually.
Additionally, vessels must have sound-producing devices such as a handheld air horn or athletic whistle, in case of low-visibility conditions.
Federal law requires at least one Type B fire extinguisher on many vessels, including personal watercraft. It must be readily accessible and in good conditions.
Jet Ski-sized fire extinguishers are made in accordance with this law.
Since these may be harder to access than fire extinguishers on larger vessels, Boat-Ed recommends swimming away quickly in the case of a fire on a personal watercraft and borrowing another vessel’s extinguisher.
In many waterways in Washington state, you’re also required to carry visual distress signals.
When these signals are not required, they’re still strongly recommended. They must be U.S. Coast Guard approved, readily accessible and in serviceable condition.
Examples include a combination of flares, electric distress lights and orange distress flags.
Some personal watercraft are remote operated and designed to be controlled by a towed individual. These vessels are required to have Skier Down flags attached in an easily visible manner.
Are life jackets required on Jet Skis in Washington?
Anyone on a personal watercraft is required to wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. Certain styles are recommended for Jet Ski usage.
This includes passengers, not just the person operating the vessel.
According to Boat-Ed, anyone on a personal watercraft should wear a wetsuit or clothing that provides similar protection.
Some personal watercraft have an engine cut-off switch and wearable lanyard. When operating one of these vessels, the driver must attach the lanyard to themselves, their clothing or their life jacket, per state law.
When is Jet Ski use allowed in Washington state?
Boats offer more protection than Jet Skis in the event of a collision, Because of this, collisions involving a personal watercraft are more likely to be deadly, according to Boat-Ed.
“It is extremely important that a (personal watercraft) encountering another (personal watercraft) follow the same navigation rules that apply to motorboats or any other power-driven vessel,” Boat-Ed said. “Most fatalities involving a (personal watercraft) result from injuries caused by collisions and not from drowning.”
Washington state has regulations specific to personal watercraft such as Jet Skis.
For example, you’re only allowed to use Jet Skis and similar watercraft during the daytime, between sunrise and sunset.
Anyone operating a personal watercraft must stay at least 200 feet from anyone being towed behind a vessel, including skiers or inner tubers.
Additionally, Jet Skis must be operated in a “reasonable and prudent manner,” state law says.
In Washington state, it’s against the law to:
- Weave through congested waterway traffic.
- Jump another vessel’s wake while unreasonably close or with obstructed visibility.
- Maneuver in a way that forces you to swerve at the last possible moment.
- Chase, harass or disturb wildlife, birds or marine mammals.
Reckless operation of a personal watercraft comes with a minimum fine of $500, as does operation after dark.
If you own a personal watercraft, you can be held liable if you consent to another person operating your vessel in a way that violates state law.
Can I get a BUI on a Jet Ski in Washington state?
Alcohol use is a contributing factor in many boating incidents, including about a third of all boating-related fatalities, according to Boat-Ed course materials.
According to Boat-Ed, one alcoholic drink while boating can have the same effect as three drinks on land.
It’s against the law to “operate a vessel while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, cannabis or any drug,” the Revised Code of Washington says. This includes personal watercraft.
A driver is considered guilty of boating under the influence if they:
- Have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or more
- Have a blood THC concentration above 5.0 nanograms
- Are affected by the impacts of alcohol or any drug
“Being alcohol-free is the safest way to enjoy the water,” Washington State Parks said.
