Each year, millions of Americans relax by taking to the water in power boats, on jet skis, at the helm of their sailboats or just diving in for a swim. Water sports are a great way to have fun in the sun. But whether you're swimming or boating, it's important to use common sense and remember that the choices you make can impact the safety of you and your passengers.
Personal watercrafts (PWCs)- have become a popular form of recreation on Colorado waters. PWC regulations have been established to keep our waterways safe and enjoyable. Be sure to read the regulations in the following list:
- Operation of a PWC from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise is prohibited.
- Operators and passengers of PWCs must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device (PFD) of the appropriate size.
- Emergency engine shut-off lanyards must be used if the vessel is equipped with them.
- A two-person PWC can be used for water-skiing if there is an operator, an observer and the skier.
- Do not operate your PWC carelessly and recklessly by becoming airborne while crossing the wake of another vessel at an unsafe distance, unsafely weaving through traffic, or operating at such a speed and proximity to another vessel that the operator of either vessel must swerve or abruptly cut speed in order to avoid a collision.
- Remember, you must be at least 16 years old to operate all motorboats, including PWCs. Fourteen and 15 years old may operate a PWC if they complete a boating safety course accepted by Colorado State Parks.
For more information, see the Boating Safety courses page.
Information provided by the Colorado State Parks.
Related Links:
Colorado State Parks Lakes & Resevoirs Directory
Colorado State Parks Boating Safety Program
Colorado Vessel Registration
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