23-2-531. Personal watercraft operation. In addition to applicable provisions in this part, a person may not operate a personal watercraft:
     (1) unless a person operating or riding on the vessel is wearing a United States coast guard approved type I, II, III, or V personal flotation device;
     (2) if the vessel is equipped by the manufacturer with a lanyard type engine cutoff switch unless the lanyard is attached to the operator's person, clothing, or personal flotation device as is appropriate for the specific vessel;
     (3) (a) except as provided for standup personal watercraft in subsection (3)(b), at greater than no-wake speed within 100 feet of a dock, swimmer, swimming raft, nonmotorized boat, or anchored vessel on a lake or within 50 feet of a dock, swimmer, swimming raft, nonmotorized boat, or anchored vessel on a river, except as provided in 23-2-525(4); or
     (b) at greater than minimum maneuvering speed for a standup personal watercraft when leaving or returning directly from or to a dock or shore for the purpose of launching or docking; or
     (4) in a reckless or negligent manner. Actions prohibited in 23-2-523 are considered reckless operation.

     History: En. Sec. 7, Ch. 728, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 345, L. 1995.