PERSONAL WATERCRAFT LAW
(KRS 235.285)

A personal watercraft or motorboat operated on public waters shall at all times be operated according to the "Rules of the Road" and in a reasonable and prudent manner so as not to endanger human life, human physical safety, or property. A person shall not do any of the following while operating a personal watercraft or motorboat on public waters:

• Weave through congested watercraft traffic in a way that endangers human life, human physical safety, or property,
• Follow a watercraft that is towing an individual on water skis, a surfboard, or a water sport device in a way that endangers human life, human physical safety, or property;
• Jump the wake of another watercraft in a way that endangers human life, human physical safety, or property;
• Cut between a boat and the individual or individuals being towed by the boat;
• Cross paths with another watercraft when visibility around the other watercraft is so obstructed as to endanger human life, human physical safety, or property; or
• Steer a personal watercraft or motorboat toward an object or individual in the water and turn sharply at close range in a way that endangers human life, human physical safety, or property.
• A person shall not operate a personal watercraft on public waters at any time between sunset and the following sunrise.
• A person shall not operate a motorboat or personal watercraft within fifty (50) feet of a commercial motor vessel and its tow which is in operation on a waterway, except if the operator of the commercial motor vessel has given his or her consent.

The above provisions do not apply to:

• A performer engaged in a professional exhibition; or
• A person participating in a regatta, a race, a marine parade, a tournament, or an exhibit that is held in compliance with administrative regulations adopted by the department.

PWC and Skiing

PWC may be used to tow individuals engaged in waterskiing or similar activities if it has adequate seating capacity and an observer on board to monitor the progress of the person being towed, or if it is equipped with a rearview mirror with a minimum field of vision of one hundred sixty (160) degrees mounted so that the operator can observe the activities of the person being towed.

• A person shall not operate a personal watercraft on public waters unless every individual operating or riding on the personal watercraft is wearing a USCG approved personal flotation device.
• A personal watercraft that does not have self-circling capability shall not be operated on public waters unless:
• The personal watercraft is equipped with a lanyard-type engine cutoff switch; and
• The lanyard is attached to the person, clothing, or personal flotation device of the operator