Personal Watercraft (PWC) regulations in North Carolina
Who can operate a PWC in North Carolina?
- Anyone 14 years of age or older can operate a PWC if they meet one of the following requirements::
- It is unlawful for the owner of a PWC to knowingly allow a person younger than 16 to operate a PWC unless they have first completed an approved boating safety education course.
PWC are subject to the following laws and regulations in North Carolina:
- PWC may not be operated between sunset and sunrise
- PWC must not be operated by any person under 14 years
- Operators of PWC equipped with a lanyard-type ignition safety switch shall wear the safety switch lanyard while the vessel is in operation
- All PWC operators, passengers, and anyone being towed must wear a USCG-approved PFD
- No person shall operate a personal watercraft on the waters of this State at greater than no-wake speed within 100 feet of an anchored or moored vessel, a dock, pier, swim float, marked swimming area, swimmers, surfers, persons engaged in angling, or any manually operated propelled vessel, unless the personal watercraft is operating in a narrow channel
- A PWC must have a rearview mirror or an observer on board besides the operator to legally tow someone on skis or similar device.
- No person shall operate a personal watercraft on the waters of this State at greater than no-wake speed within 100 feet of an anchored or moored vessel, a dock, pier, swim float, marked swimming area, swimmers, surfers, persons engaged in angling, or any manually operated propelled vessel, unless the personal watercraft is operating in a narrow channel (see below).
- No person shall operate a personal watercraft in a narrow channel (see below) at greater than no-wake speed within 50 feet of an anchored or moored vessel, a dock, pier, swim float, marked swimming area, swimmers, surfers, persons engaged in angling, or any manually operated propelled vessel.
- No person shall operate a PWC towing another person on water skis or similar device unless the total number of persons operating, observing, and being towed does not exceed the number of passengers identified by the manufacturer as the maximum safe load for the vessel.
- Unreasonable or unnecessary weaving through congested boat traffic.
- Jumping the wake of a vessel within 100 feet of the vessel or when visibility is obstructed.
- Intentionally approaching a vessel in order to swerve at the last moment.
- Operating contrary to the "rules of the road".
- Following too closely to another vessel, including another personal watercraft.
