(1) 

Terms Used In Utah Code 73-18-15.2

  • Division: means the Division of Outdoor Recreation. See Utah Code 73-18-2
  • Motorboat: means any vessel propelled by machinery, whether or not the machinery is the principal source of propulsion. See Utah Code 73-18-2
  • Operate: means to navigate, control, or otherwise use a vessel. See Utah Code 73-18-2
  • Oversight: Committee review of the activities of a Federal agency or program.
  • Person: means :Utah Code 68-3-12.5
  • Personal watercraft: means a motorboat that is:
(a) less than 16 feet in length;
(b) propelled by a water jet pump; and
(c) designed to be operated by a person sitting, standing, or kneeling on the vessel, rather than sitting or standing inside the vessel. See Utah Code 73-18-2
  • Sailboat: means any vessel having one or more sails and propelled by wind. See Utah Code 73-18-2
  • Vessel: means every type of watercraft, other than a seaplane on the water, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water. See Utah Code 73-18-2
  • Waters of this state: means any waters within the territorial limits of this state. See Utah Code 73-18-2
  • (a)  A person under 16 years of age may not operate a motorboat on the waters of this state unless the person is under the on-board and direct supervision of a person who is at least 18 years of age.

    (b)  A person under 16 years of age may operate a sailboat, if the person is under the direct supervision of a person who is at least 18 years of age.

    (2)  A person who is at least 12 years of age or older but under 16 years of age may operate a personal watercraft provided he:

    (a)  is under the direct supervision of a person who is at least 18 years of age;

    (b)  completes a boating safety course approved by the division; and

    (c)  has in his possession a boating safety certificate issued by the boating safety course provider.

    (3)  A person who is at least 16 years of age but under 18 years of age may operate a personal watercraft, if the person:

    (a)  completes a boating safety course approved by the division; and

    (b)  has in his possession a boating safety certificate issued by the boating safety course provider.

    (4)  A person required to attend a boating safety course under Subsection (3)(a) need not be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian while completing a boating safety course.

    (5)  A person may not give permission to another person to operate a vessel in violation of this section.

    (6)  As used in this section, “direct supervision” means oversight at a distance within which visual contact is maintained.

    (7) 

    (a)  The division may collect fees set by the division in accordance with Section 63J-1-504 from each person who takes the division’s boating safety course to help defray the cost of the boating safety course.

    (b)  Money collected from the fees collected under Subsection (7)(a) shall be deposited in the Boating Account.

    (8)  A violation of this section is an infraction.

    Amended by Chapter 280, 2021 General Session