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Code · CFR · Title 36 — Parks, Forests, and Public Property · Part 3 · § 3.9

§ 3.9. May I operate my personal watercraft (PWC) in park waters?

348 words·~2 min read·/us/cfr/t36/s§ 3.9·

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

(a)A person may operate a PWC only in park areas where authorized by special regulation. Special regulations may only be promulgated in the 21 parks listed in the following table: ::: {width="100%"} ::: {.gpotbl_div} Name Water type State Amistad National Recreation Area Impounded Lake TX Assateague Island National Seashore Open Ocean/Bay MD/VA Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area Impounded Lake MT Big Thicket National Preserve River TX Cape Cod National Seashore Open Ocean/Bay MA Cape Lookout National Seashore Open Ocean/Bay NC Chickasaw National Recreation Area Impounded Lake OK Cumberland Island National Seashore Open Ocean/Bay GA Curecanti National Recreation Area Impounded Lake CO Delaware Water Gap River PA/NJ Fire Island National Seashore Open Ocean/Bay NY Gateway National Recreation Area Open Ocean/Bay NY Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Impounded Lake AZ/UT Gulf Islands National Seashore Open Ocean/Bay FL/MS Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Natural Lake IN Lake Mead National Recreation Area Impounded Lake AZ/NV Lake Meredith National Recreation Area Impounded Lake TX Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area Impounded Lake WA Padre Island National Seashore Open Ocean/Bay TX Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Natural Lake MI Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area Impounded Lake CA ::: :::
(b)Where authorized, operation of a PWC on park waters is subject to the following conditions:
(1)No person may operate a PWC unless each person aboard is wearing a Type I, II, III, or V PFD approved by the United States Coast Guard.
(2)A person operating a PWC equipped by the manufacturer with a lanyard-type engine cut-off switch must attach such lanyard to his person, clothing, or PFD, as appropriate for the specific vessel.
(3)No person may operate a PWC anytime between sunset and sunrise.
(4)No person may operate a PWC by jumping the wake, becoming partially airborne or completely leaving the water while crossing the wake of another vessel within 100 feet of the vessel creating the wake.
(5)If a park area is located within a State that has more restrictive regulations for the operation of PWC, then applicable State law applies in lieu of paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(4) of this section.
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§ 3.9
May I operate my personal watercraft (PWC) in park waters?
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