b'B O AT I N G R E G U L AT I O N SRules and Regulations for Youth Boaterskids!Life JacketsLife jackets must be worn by anyone under 13 years old on any vessel that is underway unless the child is below deck or in an enclosed cabin.Life jackets must be worn by anyone under 13 years old at all times while underway on a manually propelled vessel (examples of manually propelled vessels; kayak, canoe, paddleboard).From October 1st to May 31st life jackets must be worn on manually propelled vessels regardless of age.Inflatable life jackets may not be used by persons weighing under 90 lbs. or under 16 years of age.Vessel, PWC, andPaddlecraft OperationNo person under the age of 12 may operate a vessel that is propelled by greaterafter obtaining a CPWO or an equivalentThe operator of the boat is required than 10 horsepower unless they have a SBCcertificate from a reciprocal state (MA, NH,to have a responsible observer at least 12 or CPWO and they are accompanied by aNY or RI) and only when under the onboardyears of age facing the skier to assist the person who is at least 18 years of age andsupervision of a person at least age 18 whooperator and monitor the progress of the who has a SBC or CPWO.has a CPWO. waterskier.A person under the age of 16 may beNo passenger shall ride upon a personalAll persons must comply with permitted to operate a vessel, other than awatercraft unless the passenger is able toConnecticuts water skiing rules and personal watercraft, without first obtainingsecurely hold onto the person in front ofregulations.a SBC or CPWO only when under the directthem or to the handholds on the personalJetted Articulated Vesselsonboard supervision of a person at least agewatercraft, and is able to keep both feet(Jet Pack and Flyboards)18 who has had a boating certificate for aton the deck of the personal watercraft soOperators must be 16 years of age or least two years. as to maintain balance while the personalolder and have a valid Certificate of Personal A person under the age of 16 maywatercraft is in operation. No persons mayWatercraft Operation to operate a Jetted be permitted to operate a PWC onlybe in front of the operator of a PWC. Articulated Vessel (JAV).All persons aboard a personal watercraftAnyone who can turn the JAV on or off, shall wear a life jacket approved for thator who can influence the thrust, speed or purpose by the United States Coast Guard,direction of the JAV is considered to be an and no operator of a personal watercraftoperator of the JAV. Under these rules it is shall allow any person to be aboard who ispossible for a JAV to have more than one not wearing such a device. operator. Inflatable life jackets are not approvedOther Regulationsfor PWCs. No person may operate a boat while Water skiing and Water Sports under the influence of alcohol or drugs.Water skiing implies any vessel orA person under 21 years of age shall personal watercraft on Connecticut watersbe considered to be under the influence of that is towing a skier, tuber, or has anyoneintoxicating liquor if the ratio of alcohol in riding the wake of the vessel. the blood is two-hundredths (.02) of one No person under the age of 16 maypercent or more of alcohol, by weight.operate a vessel that is engaged in recreational towing activity, such as water skiing or tubing.PHOTO CREDIT: KRISTINE MULLEN262022 Connecticut BOATERS GUIDE'