Southeastern Kentucky Area Water Safety Council
The Water Safety Council is a local non-profit, public service organization which was formed to promote water safety, publish and distribute water safety materials, promote and encourage cooperation between agencies and organizations involved in water related activities, and also to participate in the National Water Safety Congress. New PWC Regulations Personal Water Craft The term "personal watercraft" (PWC) means a vessel which uses an internal
combustion engune to power a jet pump for its primary source of propulsion and is designed to be operated by a person sitting, stnading, or kneeling on the vessell rather than by a person sitting or standing inside the vessel. They are known by brand names such as Jet Skis, Wet Bikes, Wave Runners, Sea Doos, etc. In addtion to being governed by the same laws that apply to all boats, the following laws apply to personal watercraft: -
Personal watercraft can only be operated between sunrise and sunset
- Personal watercraft without self-circling capability must have a lanyard type kill switch attached to the operator while the craft is underway.
- Operators and passengers must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device (PFD.)
Because of their small size and low profile, operators of PWCs should exercise
defensive driving. These craft are highly responsive and capable of quick turns. In fact, this is part of the fun of their operation. However, this kind of operation is reckless if done in congested areas of boat traffic. 2000 Kentucky Sport Fishing and Boating Guide
Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader - If you donīt have it, download it Free!New Age Regulations Age Restrictions (KRS 235.010) A person must be 12 years or older to operate a motorboat (including personal
watercraft) over 10 horsepower on Kentucky public waters. A person 12-17 years old shall not operate a motorboat on public waters unless that person carries a boater education certificate or is accompanied by a person 18 years or older or a person in possession of a boater education certificate. Equivalent boat operators liscenses or safe boating certificates from another state or country, U.S. Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary or U.S. Power Squadron will be honored in Kentucky. Southeastern Kentucky Area
Water Safety Council 1433 Laurel Lake Road
London, KY 40744-9739 | 