PWC laws change in New Jersey

Laws establish new boundaries for buoys and swimming areas

The New Jersey State Police are reminding personal watercraft operators that laws in the state have recently changed.

The law now states that a person is not permitted to operate a personal watercraft above minimum headway speed within 100 feet of buoys or signs that mark the boundaries of a swimming area, the shoreline, any person in the water, or residential dwelling units. Additionally, personal watercraft are not permitted to be operated in such a manner so as to make the vessel completely leave the water or otherwise become airborne within 100 feet of another vessel.

Preexisting laws that remain unaffected by the recent changes require that personal watercraft be operated only between sunrise and sunset and during times of good visibility.

Personal watercraft are not permitted to be operated within the confines of the Point Pleasant Canal in Ocean County, or the Cape May Canal in Cape May County. Personal watercraft operators must be at least 16 years of age, and must have a boating safety certificate in their possession.