(a) As used in this chapter, “personal watercraft” means a vessel that uses an inboard motor powering a water jet pump as its primary source of motive power and is designed to be operated by a person sitting, standing, or kneeling on the vessel, rather than the conventional manner of sitting or standing inside the vessel.

Attorney's Note

Under the Alabama Code, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:
ClassPrisonFine
Violationup to 30 daysup to $200
For details, see Ala. Code § 13A-5-7

Terms Used In Alabama Code 33-5-51

  • Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
  • following: means next after. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • person: includes a corporation as well as a natural person. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • personal watercraft: means a vessel that uses an inboard motor powering a water jet pump as its primary source of motive power and is designed to be operated by a person sitting, standing, or kneeling on the vessel, rather than the conventional manner of sitting or standing inside the vessel. See Alabama Code 33-5-51
  • property: includes both real and personal property. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • United States: includes the territories thereof and the District of Columbia. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
(b) A person may not operate a personal watercraft on the waters of this state unless each person operating, riding on, or being towed by the vessel is wearing a personal flotation device approved by the United States Coast Guard, in accordance with rules adopted by the secretary.
(c) A person operating a personal watercraft on the waters of this state that does not have self-circling capability shall have a lanyard type engine cutoff switch and shall attach the lanyard to his or her person, clothing, or personal flotation device, as is appropriate.
(d)

(1) A person commits the crime of reckless operation of a personal watercraft if the person maneuvers the personal watercraft in a reckless manner that endangers life, limb, or property, or creates a public nuisance, including, but not limited to, any of the following maneuvers:

a. Weaving through congested vessel traffic at high speed.
b. Following closely behind within the wake of a vessel towing a person on water skis, surfboard, or other water sport device.
c. Jumping the wake of another vessel traveling in the same direction in close proximity to the vessel.
d. Cutting between a vessel and the person being towed by that vessel.
e. Crossing at right angles in close proximity to the stern of another vessel or when visibility around the other vessel is obstructed.
f. Steering a vessel toward any object or person in the water and turning sharply at close range so as to spray the object or person.
(2) Any person violating this subsection shall be punished upon conviction as provided in Section 33-5-70.
(e) No person under 14 years of age may operate a personal watercraft on the waters of this state, except as provided under Section 33-5-57 or as otherwise authorized by law.
(f) It is unlawful for the owner of any personal watercraft or any person having charge over or control of a personal watercraft to authorize or knowingly permit the personal watercraft to be operated on the waters of this state by a person in violation of this section.
(g) No person shall tow any person by personal watercraft unless the personal watercraft is equipped with rearview mirrors meeting the specifications established by rule of the secretary.
(h) Any person who violates this section, except as otherwise provided in subsection (d), shall be guilty of a boating violation.
(i) This section does not apply to a performer engaged in a professional exhibition or a person participating in a regatta, race, marine parade, tournament, or exhibition permitted by the Marine Patrol Division and held in compliance with Section 33-5-27 and any rules adopted by the secretary.
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