Personal Watercraft (PWC) Safety Personal Watercraft (PWCs) is any vessel designed to be operated by a person sitting, standing, or kneeling on the vessel, rather than the conventional manner of sitting or standing inside the vessel. Their primary source of propulsion is normally an inboard motor powering a water jet pump or a propeller. PWCs are considered recreational boats and must abide by the rules of the road. State Boating Office: Department of Natural Resources Division of Watercraft 4435 Fountain Square Dr. Columbus, OH 43224-1300 Phone: (614) 265-6485 Minimum Age to Operate PWC: 12 (with an adult on board) Wake Jump Addressed: Yes No Wake Zone: Yes Towing Skier Allowed: Yes PWC Prohibited Zones: None Licensing: No Mandatory Education: Yes Boating Education Requirements: non-proctored exam PWCs may not operate after sunset even it they had the necessary lights. Operating times are from sunrise to sunset. When operating or riding on a PWC, you must wear a Coast Guard approved PFD. If a PWC is towing a skier, the skier must by wearing a PFD type I, II, III. Do not cross within 100 feet or unsafe distance behind any boat. PWCs must stay 300 feet from any dock, raft, and buoyed or occupied swimming area. If you have any questions call your local Coast Guard Station, Ohio Division of Watercraft office or local C.G. Auxiliary member. Be sure your cut-off lanyard is attached to your person when under way. Remember: if your engine shuts off you have NO steering. Shallow water with weeds can clog your engine. Wear clothing to keep the sun off your head and body. There is no shade while riding a PWC. Got a question about boating safety? Post your question in one of our Boating Forums! Got a boating safety tip to share with others? Share it in one of our Boating Forums or submit an article about it and have it published right here on BOATOhio.com! Back to the top... Back to the Boating Safety Index...