b'B O AT I N G R E G U L AT I O N SRules and Regulations for Youth BoatersLife Jacketsk ids!Life 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. 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 OperationOther RegulationsNo person under the age of 12 may operate a vessel that is propelled by greater than 10 horsepower unless they have anPHOTO: JEREMY AURORASBC or CPWO and they are accompaniedcertificate from a reciprocal state (MA, NH,activity. The operator of the boat is required by a person who is at least 18 years of ageNY, or RI) and only when under the onboardto have a responsible observer at least and who has an SBC or CPWO. A personsupervision of a person at least age 18 who12 years of age facing the skier to assist under the age of 16 may be permitted tohas a CPWO.the operator and monitor the progress of operate a vessel, other than a personalNo passenger shall ride upon a personalthe water skier. All persons must comply watercraft, without first obtaining an SBCwatercraft unless the passenger is able towith Connecticuts water skiing rules and or CPWO. However, they must be under thesecurely hold onto the person in front ofregulations. direct onboard supervision of a person atthem or to the handholds on the personal least age 18 and who has had a boatingwatercraft. Also, they must be able toJetted Articulated Vessels certificate for at least two years.keep both feet on the deck of the personalOperators must be 16 years of age or A person under the age of 16 maywatercraft so as to maintain balance whileolder and have a valid Certificate of Personal be permitted to operate a PWC onlythe personal watercraft is in operation. NoWatercraft Operation to operate a Jetted after obtaining a CPWO or an equivalentpersons may be in front of the operatorArticulated Vessel (JAV). Anyone who can of a PWC. All persons aboard a personalturn the JAV on or off, or who can influence watercraft shall wear a life jacket approvedthe thrust, speed, or direction of the JAV for that purpose by the United States Coastis considered to be an operator of the JAV. Guard, and no operator of a personalUnder these rules it is possible for a JAV to watercraft shall allow any person to behave more than one operator. aboard who is not wearing such a device. Inflatable life jackets are not approved forOther Regulations PWCs. No person may operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Water Skiing & Water SportsA person under 21 years of age shall be Water skiing refers to any vessel orconsidered to be under the influence of personal watercraft on Connecticut watersintoxicating liquor if the ratio of alcohol in that is towing a skier, tuber, or has anyonethe blood is two-hundredths (.02) of one riding the wake of the vessel. No personpercent or more of alcohol, by weight.under the age of 16 may operate a vessel that is engaged in a recreational towing 262023 Connecticut BOATERS GUIDE'