California Harbors and Navigation Code

§ 655.7

HNC § 655.7 Effective Jul 2, 2024Div. 3 · Ch. 5 · Art. 1

Statute text

(a)A person operating a personal watercraft equipped by the manufacturer with a lanyard-type engine cut-off switch shall attach the lanyard to themselves, their clothing, or their personal flotation device, as appropriate for the specific vessel, while operating on plane or above displacement speed.

(b)A person shall not operate a personal watercraft equipped by the manufacturer with an engine cut-off switch if the engine cut-off switch or engine throttle has been altered in any way that would impede or prevent the engine cut-off switch from operating in its intended manner.

(c)Every personal watercraft shall, at all times, be operated in a reasonable and prudent manner. Maneuvers that unreasonably or unnecessarily endanger life, limb, or property, including, but not limited to, jumping or attempting to jump the wake of another vessel within 100 feet of that other vessel, operating the personal watercraft toward any person or vessel in the water and turning sharply at close range so as to spray the vessel or person, or operating at a rate of speed and proximity to another vessel so that either operator is required to swerve at the last minute to avoid collision, is unsafe or reckless operation of a vessel.

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Legislative history

Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 72, Sec. 15. (SB 156) Effective July 2, 2024.