OAR 250-021-0030: Operating Rules

(1) A person must not operate a personal watercraft unless each person operating or riding on such vessel is wearing an inherently buoyant Coast Guard approved wearable personal flotation device (PFD) as defined in OAR 250-010-0010. (2) A person operating a personal watercraft equipped by the manufacturer with a lanyard type engine cutoff switch must attach such lanyard to their person, clothing, or personal flotation device. (3) A person must not operate a personal watercraft unless it is effectively muffled in accordance with OAR 250-010-0121. (4) A person must not operate a personal watercraft at any time between sunset and sunrise unless equipped with lights as prescribed in OAR Chapter 250, Division 011. (5) Every personal watercraft shall at all times be operated in a reasonable and prudent manner. Maneuvers which unreasonably or unnecessarily endanger life, limb or property, including but not limited to weaving through congested vessel traffic, jumping the wake of another vessel unreasonably or unnecessarily close to said vessel or when visibility around said vessel is obstructed, and swerving at the last possible moment to avoid collision shall constitute unsafe or reckless operation of a vessel, as provided in ORS 830.305 or 830.315. (6) The provisions of section (5) of this rule do not apply to a performer engaged in a professional exhibition or a person preparing to participate or participating in an officially sanctioned regatta, race, marine parade, tournament, or exhibition. (7) A person must not operate a personal watercraft in excess of a slow-no wake speed: (a) Within 200 feet of a boat launch ramp, dock, swim float, pier, marina or moorage, floating home or boathouse, or locations where persons are working at water levels on floats, logs or waterway construction; (b) Within 200 feet of a swimmer, surfer, diving flag, bank or wading angler; (c) Within 100 feet of any anchored or non-motorized vessel; (d) Except on safe take-offs and landings, a person must not operate a personal watercraft in excess of a slow-no wake speed within 200 feet of shoreline on all lakes, bays and reservoirs. A safe take-off or landing will not be considered "safe" unless it can be accomplished without risk to any swimmer or craft within 200 feet from shoreline. (8) A person must not operate a personal watercraft in excess of 10 MPH when approaching within 100' of another motorized or sail vessel underway. (9) A person must not operate a personal watercraft within 200 feet directly behind a water skier being towed. (10) A person must not tow a water skier or any floating device with a personal watercraft unless: (a) Another person on the personal watercraft is continuously observing the person being towed; and (b) The personal watercraft is large enough to carry operator, observer and the person being towed; and (c) The personal watercraft is equipped with a "skier-down" flag to be held aloft when the skier or person being towed is down in the water; and (d) The personal watercraft is being operated between sunrise and sunset. (11) Personal watercraft may be used to tow another vessel when rendering assistance. (12) A person under the age of 16 must not operate a personal watercraft on the waters of this state, unless accompanied by a person 18 years of age or older on board, or as provided in OAR 250-021-0036. (13) A person who owns a personal watercraft or who has charge over or control of a personal watercraft must not authorize or knowingly permit that personal watercraft to be operated by a person under 16 years of age, unless accompanied by a person 18 years of age or older, or as provided in OAR 250-021-0036. (14) A person must not rent a personal watercraft to a person under the age of 18. (15) A person must not chase, harass, molest, worry or disturb any wildlife with a personal watercraft except while engaged in lawfully angling for, hunting or trapping such wildlife (ORS 498.006).