LATEST NEWS - Important Information - Tennessee Personal Watercraft Rules and Regulations This information is courtesy of the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (T.W.R.A.).  For more information on the T.W.R.A. click on the logo below. Tennessee Personal Watercraft Rules and Regulations Personal watercraft are those vessels (boats) which are designed to be operated by a person sitting, standing, or kneeling on the craft rather than sitting or standing inside the vessel. It includes but is not limited to jet skis, wet bikes, wave runners, sea doos and similar craft. Personal watercraft are considered powered vessels and must adhere to the same rules as any other boat. They must be registered, carry flotation devices and be operated at a speed safe enough for the operator to avoid a collision or stop in time to avoid an accident. Additionally, personal watercraft operators should be aware of the following: Jumping the immediate wake (within 100 feet) of another vessel, weaving through congested vessel traffic and riding close to ramps, docks, or the shore is considered reckless operation. All persons operating or using personal watercraft must wear a personal flotation device (life jacket), Type I, II, or III (Inflatable cannot be used). No person shall operate a personal watercraft between sunset and sunrise. Persons under 12 years of age may not operate a personal watercraft unless an adult is on board who can take immediate control of the boat. Persons who allow an underaged operator to use a personal watercraft may be prosecuted in addition to, or in lieu of, the operator. Personal watercraft being used to tow skiers, surfboards or other devices must be equipped with  2 mirrors (at least 2 1/2 by 4 inches) or have a person, 12 years or older, to observe the progress of the skier.  The mirrors must be mounted on each side of the personal watercraft (not on the handle bars). Below is a new bill that has been passed and will come into effect January 1, 2005.  The bill basically says that watercraft riders that live in TENNESSEE and are under the age of 16 will have to take a boaters safety course. CHAPTER NO. 260 SENATE BILL NO. 718 By Burchett Substituted for: House Bill No. 1228 By Bittle, DuBois, Black, Baird, Pleasant AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 69, Chapter 10, relative to boating safety. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE: SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 69, Chapter 10, Part 2, is amended by adding a new section thereto, as follows: Section 69-10-226. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), it is unlawful for any person born after January 1, 1989, to operate any vessel subject to registration on any waters of this state unless the operator: (1) Has successfully completed a course in safe boating that is approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and accepted by the Tennessee wildlife resources agency, or an equivalent examination as determined by the Tennessee wildlife resources agency; and (2) Has received a certificate from the Tennessee wildlife resources agency as evidence of successful completion of any National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) approved course accepted by the Tennessee wildlife resources agency or passage of an equivalent examination accepted by the Tennessee wildlife resources agency; or, (3) Is accompanied on the vessel by, and is under the direct supervision of, a person certified as provided in subdivisions (a)(1) and (2), or who was born before January 1, 1989. (b) The provisions of subsection (a) shall not apply to: (1) Non-residents of Tennessee. Non-residents of Tennessee shall show proof of successful completion of an approved National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) course; (2) Renters of watercraft who have completed a safety orientation; which safety orientation shall be available at the rental location; (3) Vessels powered by engines of eight and one-half horsepower (8.5 hp) or less; (4) Persons with operator licenses issued by the United States Coast Guard; or (5) Operators of sailboats when under sail alone. (c) Certificates of completion of boating safety courses required by this section: (1) Must be in the possession of the boat operator while such boat is in operation; (2) Shall contain a physical description of the boat operator, including, but not limited to, the operator’s address, date of birth, and a unique tracking number; (3) Shall not expire, but may be revoked by action of an applicable court; and (4) Shall be issued for a fee of ten dollars ($10.00). Replacement cards shall be issued for a fee of five dollars ($5.00). (d) A violation of the provisions of this section is a Class C misdemeanor punished by a fine only and, in addition thereto, a court may revoke a certificate of completion of a boat safety course. It is unlawful for an owner or person directly in charge of a vessel subject to registration to authorize or permit knowingly such vessel to be operated on the waters of this state in violation of this section. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to renters of watercraft. SECTION 2. This act shall take effect January 1, 2005, the public welfare requiring it. PASSED: May 21, 2003 APPROVED this 4th day of June 2003 Copyright  2006 PM Sports Marketing. All Rights Reserved. Site Design and Maintenance By: PM Sports Marketing