Operating a PWC age question?

Question

I'm 14 and live in Missouri I was trying to find rules for operating a PWC (wave runner/jet ski) in Missouri. I went on boat-ed.com and found this, "You must be at least 14 years of age to operate a PWC, unless a supervising person at least 16 years of age is on board the personal watercraft."

Does this mean I can legally drive the waverunner and not get in trouble if I follow all the rules correctly?

Can I drive the PWC alone or do I need an adult?

Answer 1

No, you must take and pass the boating safety course for your state in Missouri FIRST.  You are born after January 1, 1984.  Which means BY Missouri law, you must have a lawful boating safety ID card that is NASBLA—approved and issued by Missouri or another state.

The age requirement is any individual 14 years and older CAN operate alone but MUST have boater safety ID card if born after January 1, 1984.



If a person is younger than 14, they must have a person who is 16 years or older who has boater safety ID card or be born before or on January 1, 1984.

This is my interpretation of what is on the Missouri state web site, but to make sure here is their contact info:

Missouri State Water Patrol

P.O. Box 1368

Jefferson City, MO 65102

Telephone: [phone]

E-mail:

Boating Information

[e-mail]

Safety Education

[e-mail]

If you are caught without one by law enforcement, your parents will probably will get stuck with the ticket.  This boating safety ID certificate/card must be with you at ALL times on the PWC.  Not having it with you on the boat/PWC is the same as not having it at all to law enforcement.  There is no consideration or warnings from law enforcement on the water, they write tickets or seize the boat/PWC.

If your parents are not there, the guardian in possession of the boat/PWC will get a ticket.   I'm not sure if Missouri law enforcement impounds boats because of this violation or not, but its a possibility.  

Impounding/Seizing is when the law hauls away the boat/PWC/vehicle and ONLY the owner of it can pay the fines and/or courts costs to get it released which is usually very expensive.

Answer 2

OK, read it again carefully............................

You are 14, and the law in your state says at least 14.

Looks like you are legal to ride.

Please take a class and study the rules of the road, not only for yourself, but for everybody else on the water with you.

Answer 3

No, it means that you have to have someone ON the PWC with you...not next to you, but actually on the vessel.