2006 Louisiana Laws - RS 34:855.3 — Regulation of personal watercraft

§855.3.  Regulation of personal watercraft

A.  A person shall not operate a personal watercraft unless each person aboard is wearing a type I, type II, type III, or type V personal flotation device approved by the United States Coast Guard.

B.  A person operating a personal watercraft equipped by the manufacturer with a lanyard type engine cutoff switch shall attach such lanyard to his person, clothing, or personal flotation device as appropriate for the specific vessel.

C.  A person shall not operate a personal watercraft at any time between  sunset and sunrise.

D.  A personal watercraft shall at all times be operated in a reasonable and prudent manner as defined in R.S. 34:851.5.

E.  No person under the age of sixteen may operate a personal watercraft on the waters of this state.  However, persons thirteen years of age or older on January 1, 2005, who have not attained the age of sixteen, may operate a personal watercraft upon the waters of the state, provided that they have completed a boating safety education course and carry proof of completion of the course.

F.  It shall be unlawful for the owner of any personal watercraft or any person having charge over or control of a personal watercraft to authorize or knowingly permit the same to be operated by a person under the age or in the absence of the conditions provided for in Subsection E of this Section.

G.  A violation of any provision of this Section shall be a class one violation subject to penalties and enforcement procedures as set forth in Title 56 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950.

Acts 1991, No. 97, §1; Acts 1999, No. 12, §1; Acts 2004, No. 709, §1.