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Article III. Vessel Regulations
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A. A person shall not operate a personal watercraft unless each person aboard that personal watercraft is wearing a personal flotation device approved by the State of Washington.

B. A person operating a personal watercraft equipped by the manufacturer with a lanyard-type engine cutoff switch shall attach the lanyard to his or her person, clothing, or personal flotation device as appropriate for the specific vessel. It is unlawful for any person to remove or disable a cutoff switch that was installed by the manufacturer.

C. A person shall not operate a personal watercraft during darkness.

D. A person under the age of 16 shall not operate a personal watercraft on the waters of Pierce County unless they are under direct supervision of a parent or legal guardian who is on board that vessel.

E. A person shall not operate a personal watercraft in a reckless manner, including recklessly weaving through congested vessel traffic, recklessly jumping the wake of another vessel within 100 yards of the vessel or when visibility around the vessel is obstructed, or recklessly swerving at the last possible moment to avoid collision.

F. When operating on saltwater, non-destination-bound repetitive maneuvers including, but not limited to, erratic speed and course changes, tight turns, and race course ovals and figure eights can only be done when in an area that is at least 500 yards from any shoreline.

G. A person shall not lease, hire, or rent a personal watercraft to a person under the age of 16.

H. A personal watercraft operator shall obey Sections 8.88.150 and 8.88.151, Speed Limits, which includes:

1. 5 mph speed within 200 feet of shoreline.

2. 5 mph speed limit within 100 feet of any vessel moored or underway.

3. 5 mph speed limit within 100 feet of swimmers.

4. 5 mph speed limit within 200 feet of a dock.

5. A personal watercraft operator shall not exceed 5 mph, do donuts, or create any wake within 300 feet of any boat launch.

I. Subsections A. through H. of this Section shall not apply to a performer engaged in a professional exhibition or a person participating in a regatta, race, marine parade, tournament, or exhibition authorized or otherwise permitted by the appropriate agency having jurisdiction and authority to authorize such events.

J. Violations of subsections A. and H. of this Section constitute a Class 4 civil infraction under Chapter 1.16 PCC.

(Ord. 2003-128s § 1, 2004; Ord. 2001-68 § 1 (part), 2001; Ord. 99-30 § 1, 1999; Ord. 96-89S § 3, 1997)