Use of personal watercraft — such as Jet Skis, Sea Doos and WaveRunners — continues to grow on LCRA-managed lakes. These watercraft are small, fast and highly maneuverable. They can also be very dangerous if operators don't take the time to understand how they operate and learn the safety rules for this type of watercraft.
Personal watercraft (or PWCs) are subject to all boating laws, plus regulations specific to operating PWCs. Check the Texas Water Safety Act for a complete list of rules and regulations.
Here are some important rules for personal watercraft:
- Children under 13 are prohibited from operating a PWC unless accompanied on board by a person at least 18 years of age.
- A Texas Parks and Wildlife boater education certificate and photo ID is required for operators between 13 and 17 years of age. A person is exempt from mandatory boater education requirements if they are at least 18 years of age.
- Each person riding on or towed by a PWC must wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket or PFD.
- It is illegal to:
- Operate a PWC between sunset and sunrise.
- Operate a PWC within 50 feet of the shoreline, structures swimmers or other watercraft unless at HEADWAY SPEED (or "no-wake speed," just fast enough to steer the boat straight).
- Jump the wake of another watercraft recklessly or unnecessarily close.
- All equipment requirements for regular motorboats also apply to PWCs, including a sound-producing device and fire extinguisher. PWCs are prohibited on the water after sunset, and so are not required to display navigation lights.
- PWCs being used to tow someone must be rated for at least three people – the operator, the observer and the person in tow.
- The ignition safety switch must be attached to the operator, if equipped.
- PWC's need power to maintain steering control and change direction.
While LCRA recommends that PWC operators be extremely cautious on weekends and holidays with high boating traffic, there are no pre-existing restrictions for operating a PWC on LCRA-managed lakes during holidays.
