A Course for Safe Boating

California Boating

Chapter 4

Personal Watercraft

For personal safety, a PWC operator should also wear:

A whistle attached to your life jacket, one that works even when wet.

Eye protection, to guard you from the sun, spray and bugs. You should have

a leash on your sunglasses so you won’t lose them if you enter the water.

Boat shoes/booties, to improve traction and protect your feet from

underwater hazards.

Gloves to improve your grip and make you more comfortable.

A wet suit, to protect you against sun, wind, scrapes and bruises, and

hypothermia. Manufacturers recommend wearing wet suits to prevent

injury.

A helmet, to protect your head from injury. The type of helmet varies with

the type of water activity. A properly fitted helmet is mandatory for racers.

Sunscreen.

See Chapter 1 for more details on Personal Safety and Chapter 2 for details

on Boating Law.

LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

Age of Operator

To operate a PWC alone, the operator must be 16 years old or older. A person

12–15 years old may operate a PWC designed to carry at least two people, if

someone 18 years old or older directly supervises him or her on board.

Hull Identification Numbers (HIN)

A HIN is a 12-digit number/letter combination that is stamped into the hull

of the vessel. A HIN is required for registration and is useful in identifying a

stolen PWC.

Registration

A PWC must be registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The

registration numbers must be applied left to right on the forward sides of the

bow in block letters at least 3 inches high and of a contrasting color—light

letters on a dark background, or dark letters on a light background. The state

decal must be placed 3 inches aft of the numbers. Letters are separated from

the numbers by hyphens or spaces equal to the width of the numbers (other

than the number “1”) or equal to the width of the letters (other than the

letter “I”).

The registration must be carried on the PWC when you are under way.

It’s

best to keep the registration in a waterproof container.

port side

CF 1234 JS

CF-1234-JS

starboard side

PWC REGISTRATIONS

CF 1234 JS

CF-1234-JS