The following information includes highlights of laws and regulations that affect recreational boaters in Pennsylvania. This short summary is not intended to be a complete listing of all boating regulations. Consult the PA Boating Handbook for more detailed information on boating laws and regulations, or call the nearest Fish & Boat Commission regional law enforcement office.

	How can I get a Boating Safety Education Certificate?
	REQUIRED EQUIPMENT
	OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
	EQUIPMENT RECOMMENDED BUT NOT REQUIRED
	HAZARDS TO BOATERS
	BOATING ACCIDENTS
	SPECIALLY REGULATED WATERS
	REGISTRATION & TITLING
	Fish and Boat Commission Contact Information

The Fish & Boat Commission's web site is the place to go for a wealth of up-to-date information on Pennsylvania fishing and boating programs. Point your browser to www.fish.state.pa.us.

PERSONAL WATERCRAFT (PWC*):

• Persons 11 years of age or younger may NOT operate.
• Persons 12 through 15 years of age may NOT operate with any passengers on board 15 years of age or younger or rent a PWC.
• All PWC operators must obtain and have in their possession a Boating Safety Education Certificate.

  *Also known as Jetski®, See-Doo®, WaveRunner®, TigerShark® and others.

To find a boating course near you, contact one of the following resources:
Fish & Boat Commission website: www.fish.state.pa.us
Fish & Boat Commission Boating Course Hotline:1-888-PAFISH-1 (1-888-723-4741).

Boaters wanting to take a long-distance learning course from home can visit the Commission's Boating Courses page to access the Boat Pennsylvania Internet Course, OR call Boat Ed at
1-800-830-2268 to order the Boat Pennsylvania Video/Correspondence Course.
 

Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)

• A U.S. Coast Guard-approved wearable PFD (life jacket) is required for each person on board. In addition, one throwable PFD (seat cushion or ring buoy) is required on boats 16 feet in length or longer. Canoes and kayaks, regardless of length, are not required to carry a throwable PFD or throw bag, but whenever possible it is a good idea to have a throwable device on board.
• Children 12 years of age and younger must wear an approved wearable PFD while underway on Commonwealth waters on any boat 20 feet or less in length and in all canoes and kayaks.
• All water skiers and anyone towed behind a boat, personal watercraft operators and passengers, and sailboarders must wear a life jacket. Inflatable PFDs are not acceptable for these activities.
• Wearable life jackets must be "readily accessible" or in the open where they can be easily reached. Throwable PFDs (cushions and ring buoys) must be immediately available or within arm's reach. A PFD stowed in a compartment or sealed in its original packing is not readily accessible or immediately available.

Lights

• All boats must show required running lights between sunset and sunrise and during periods of restricted visibility. Check the PA Boating Handbook for details.
• All boats must display anchor lights when they are anchored on any boatable Commonwealth waters (except in special anchorage areas).

Fire Extinguishers

• Coast Guard-approved fire extinguishers must be carried on all motorboats 26 feet or more in length. Motorboats less than 26 feet in length with gasoline engines are required to carry a fire extinguisher if they have one or more of the following: Closed compartments, permanently installed fuel tanks, double bottoms not sealed to the hull or completely filled with flotation materials, or closed living spaces. Note: Open boats such as johnboats where an after-market solid wood or metal floor is installed and is not completely sealed to the hull are not required to carry a fire extinguisher.
• Fire extinguishers must be installed so that they are immediately available within arm's reach of the operator or passengers on board.
• Fire extinguishers must be maintained and fully charged.

Carburetor Backfire Flame Controls

• Gasoline engines, except outboards, must have an approved (USCG, SAE or UL) backfire flame control on the carburetor to prevent ignition of gasoline vapors in case the engine backfires.

Sound-Producing Devices

• Motorboats less than 12 meters (39.4 feet) in length shall carry some mechanical means of making a sound signal. This device may be hand-, mouth- or power-operated. An athletic coach's whistle is an acceptable sound-producing device for small motorboats.
• Operators of unpowered boats are required to have some means of making an efficient oral or mechanical sound signal that can be heard by another boat operator in time to avoid a collision.
• Sound signaling devices must be readily accessible to the boat operator.

Visual Distress Signals (VDS)

• Visual distress signals are required for all boats operating on Lake Erie.
• Visual distress signals must be U.S. Coast Guard-approved, have legible approval numbers, be in serviceable condition, and be readily accessible. An expiration date must be stamped on flares. Boaters should keep outdated flares to use first in an emergency.

Muffling Devices

• Boat motors must be equipped with an efficient muffling system or device in good working order. Cutout devices are prohibited.
• Boat exhaust systems may not be modified in any manner that reduces or eliminates the effectiveness of the muffler or muffler system.

Marine Sanitation Devices (MSD)

• Marine sanitation devices must be installed on all vessels with installed toilet systems. They must be approved by the U.S. Coast Guard.
• Types I and II MSDs are approved for use on Lake Erie, the Delaware River, the Three Rivers area, and other flow-through waters. Type III holding tanks are required only on non-navigable waters. Discharge of untreated sewage in any Commonwealth water is prohibited.

It is illegal to:

• operate a boat at greater than slow no-wake when within 100 feet of the shoreline, floats, docks, ramps, swimmers, downed skiers, anchored, moored, or drifting boats, or areas marked with "slow, no-wake" buoys.
• operate faster than sslow no-wake when within 100 feet to the rear or 50 feet to the side of another boat that is underway, unless in a narrow channel.
• operate within 100 feet of any person towed behind another boat.
• cause a boat to become airborne or to leave the water completely while crossing another boat's wake when within 100 feet of the boat creating the wake.
• operate a watercraft in a reckless, negligent or dangerous manner. Boats must be operated at a rate of speed that does not endanger the life or property of any person.
• fail to keep a proper lookout or fail to maintain a safe speed so that the boat operator cannot take proper and effective action to avoid a collision.
• weave through congested traffic.
• operate a motorboat less than 20 feet in length at greater than slow no-wake while a person is standing on or in the boat.
• operate a motorboat not equipped with railings or other safeguards at greater than slow no-wake while a person is riding on the bow decking, gunwales, transom or motor cover.
• tow more than one person at a time behind a PWC or tow anyone behind a PWC with a capacity of two persons or fewer.
• operate a pontoon boat while a person is riding outside the passenger-carrying area.

WATER-SKIING
(includes similar activities such as wakeboarding, towing inner tubes, etc.)

• It is unlawful to operate a motorboat at any speed with a person or persons sitting, riding or hanging on a swim platform (teak surfing) or swim ladder attached to the motorboat, except when launching, retrieving, docking or anchoring the motorboat.
   
• It is unlawful to operate a motorboat at any speed when towing a person on waterskis or other devices using a tow rope of 20 feet or less.
• Skiing is illegal between sunset and sunrise.
• In addition to the operator, a competent observer must be in the boat in a position to observe the towed person.
• Tow ropes may not exceed a length of 80 feet.

• Oars or paddles. They are helpful to get back to shore if the boat's engine fails.
• Anchor and line. An appropriately sized anchor with good-quality nylon line is an essential piece of equipment for boaters. All boaters on rivers with locks should carry a mooring line at least 75 feet long.
• Bailing device. All boats should have on board some kind of bailer to remove water from the boat.
• Marine radio. There is no substitute for a marine radio in an emergency. A marine radio is an excellent addition to boats with a console. Operators of smaller boats should consider portable units.
• Cell phone. A cell phone is an excellent way to call for help if the operator knows the emergency numbers for the area in which he or she is boating.
• Boating maps or charts. These items are useful for planning outings. They can help boaters avoid problems.
• Other useful items. Sunscreen, flashlight, visual distress signals (required on Lake Erie), compass, throw (rescue) bag, extra gas can, first aid kit, boat fenders, tool kit, spare spark plugs, propeller pins, spare propeller and extra light bulbs and fuses.

Dams. Boats must stay clear of dams. Failure to do so often results in tragedy. Hazards exist both above and below the dam.
State law now requires that many low-head dams in the Commonwealth be marked with signs and, when practical, buoys upstream and downstream. The signs detail restrictions for boating, swimming and wading, and hazards posed by the dam. These restrictions are enforced by Commission waterways conservation officers.

Strainers. A tree or tree limb is a typical strainer that can trap and flood boats. Water flows through these obstructions, but solid objects do not. Strainers can pin victims underwater.

Current. Never underestimate the power of moving water. A boater who is not sure if his or her boat or ability is up to the prevailing conditions should stay off the water.

Cold water. It kills! When boating on cold water, always wear a life jacket, dress in layers, and always tell someone where you are going.

Submerged objects. Rocks, stumps, logs and other objects can greatly damage a hull or motor. Keeping a sharp lookout and reducing speed in unfamiliar areas is a good idea.

Alcohol and boating. Alcohol use increases the chances of having an accident. Alcohol affects balance, coordination and judgment. It is illegal to operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance. Penalties include fines up to $7,500, two years imprisonment, and loss of boating privileges for up to one year.

Other boaters. Steer clear of other boaters, stay alert, keep a sharp lookout, and report violations to a waterways conservation officer. Don't assume other operators are paying attention or that they know the rules.

Boating accidents must be reported in writing by the boat operator or owner to the Fish & Boat Commission when:

• A person dies or disappears.
• A person is injured and requires advanced medical treatment beyond first aid.
• Damage to the boat and other property totals more than $2,000, or there is a complete loss of the vessel.
  There is an accident report form in the back of the PA Boating Handbook, or one can be downloaded from the Commission's web site, or one can be obtained from any Commission regional law enforcement office.

Additional regulations such as speed limits and slow, no-wake areas affect boaters on specific waterways. Boaters should read all regulations posted on the bulletin boards at access areas.
 

• Boats propelled by machinery must be registered, and they must properly display numbers and a boat registration validation decal. This includes all motorboats regardless of the boat's length and type of motor (includes electric motors).
• Unpowered boats using Commission lakes and access areas must be registered OR display a Commission use permit OR display a State Parks launch or mooring permit.
• Boat titles are issued when a boat is sold or when ownership is conveyed. Titles are required for motorboats with a model year of 1997 and newer, except for those that are powered by an outboard motor that are less than 14 feet in length. All 1997 or newer personal watercraft, are also subject to the titling requirement. Voluntary titling is available for any other boat.