In Texas, operating a jet ski (personal watercraft) requires adhering to specific safety regulations and equipment requirements to ensure the operator’s and others’ safety on the water.
Here are the key requirements for operating a jet ski in Texas…
Required Equipment
- Personal Flotation Device (PFD)
- All operators and passengers on a jet ski must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket (Type I, II, III, or V).
- Inflatable life jackets are not allowed on jet skis.
- Engine Cut-off Switch Lanyard
- If the jet ski has an engine cut-off switch, the operator must attach the lanyard to themselves. This safety feature stops the engine if the operator falls off the jet ski.
- Sound Signaling Device
- A whistle or horn must be available to signal other boats and alert them to your presence, especially in case of emergency.
- Navigation Lights
- Proper navigation lights must be used if operating the jet ski between sunset and sunrise, although most jet skis are not used at night.
- Fire Extinguisher
- A jet ski must have a U.S. Coast Guard-approved Type B-I fire extinguisher.
Operational Requirements
- Age and Education
- Operators at least 13 but under 18 must have completed a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD)-approved boater education course and carry the boater education card.
- Operators 18 and older do not need a boater education card but are encouraged to take a boater safety course.
- Boating Safety
- It is illegal to operate a jet ski recklessly, such as weaving through congested traffic, jumping the wake of another vessel within 100 feet, or operating in a manner that endangers life, limb, or property.
- Operators must adhere to the “no wake” zones and other posted waterway regulations.
- Hours of Operation
- Jet skis cannot be operated between sunset and sunrise without the required navigation lights.
Additional Considerations
- Towing – When towing a person on water skis or any other device, the jet ski must be rated to carry the operator, the observer, and the person being towed.
- Environmental Regulations – Operators should be aware of local environmental regulations, such as no-wake zones and protected areas, to avoid fines and protect wildlife.
Summary
To legally and safely operate a jet ski in Texas, you must ensure that you and your jet ski comply with these equipment and operational requirements. Always check for the latest Texas Parks and Wildlife Department regulations to stay compliant and safe on the water.
