Personal Watercraft Operation & Regulations (Texas Parks and Wildlife)
A personal watercraft (PWC) is defined as a type of motorboat which is specifically designed to be operated by a person or persons sitting, standing or kneeling ON the vessel rather than INSIDE the vessel. The term PWC includes jet skis, wet bikes, etc. Any person being towed by a PWC is considered an occupant of the PWC, and is required to wear a life jacket.
Required Safety Equipment for Personal Watercraft (PWC)
All equipment requirements for regular motorboats also apply to PWC. In addition to those requirements:
Each occupant must wear a life jacket. If the PWC is equipped with a cut-off or kill switch, it must be attached to the operator or operator's clothing. Inflatable lifejackets are NOT approved for use on PWC.
Operation of Your Personal Watercraft In addition to those requirements, it is unlawful for any person to:
Operate PWC at night (sunset until sunrise)Operate PWC within 50 feet of another PWC, motorboat, vessel, platform, person, object, or shore except at headway speed without creating a swell or wake (headway speed = slow, idle speed, or speed only fast enough to maintain steerage)Operate a PWC and jump the wake of another vessel recklessly or unnecessarily close.
IT IS UNLAWFUL TO operate at a rate of speed greater than is reasonable and prudent or greater than will permit the driver to stop the vessel within the assured clear distance ahead. Operate in a manner to cause a hazardous wake or wash. Operate in a circular course around another vessel, PWC or individual engaged in water activities unless retrieving a downed or fallen water skier or a person engaged in similar activity. Moor or attach to any buoy, beacon, light marker, stake, flag or other aid to safe operation, or to move, remove, displace, tamper with, damage or destroy the same. Anchor in the traveled portion of a river or channel so as to prevent, impede, or interfere with safe passage or any other boat through the same area. Operate within an area designated as bathing, fishing, swimming or otherwise restricted. Operate within a designated "no wake" area except at headway speed without creating a swell or wake. Engage in water skiing, surfboarding or other similar activity between the hours of 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise. This shall not apply to vessels used in recognized water ski tournaments, competitions, exhibitions or trials, provided that the water area is adequately lighted. Operate while intoxicated. Operate any vessel or manipulate any water skis, aquaplane or similar device, in a willful or wanton disregard of the rights and safety of others and at a speed in or in a manner to endanger or likely endanger any person or property.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT: http://twpd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/boating/operation-of-your-boat