Arkansas Law Raises Personal Watercraft Minimum Operator Age to 16

An accident on Lake Hamilton two years ago led to a new Arkansas law that takes effect this week, setting the minimum age of 16 for a solo operator of a personal watercraft.

The new law is known as Rachel’s Bill in memory of Rachel Rutherford, a 15-year-old Little Rock girl who died March 29, 2007, from injuries she suffered in a jet ski accident.

Under the new law, youngsters from 12 to 16 will be allowed to drive personal watercraft, but only if they are riding with an operator 18 or older, and that person is in a position to take “immediate control of the vessel,” according to Capt. Stephanie Weatherington, boating law administrator for the state Game and Fishing Commission.

She said that means the older, backup driver must be facing the front of the personal watercraft. “They can’t be sitting backward watching a skier,” Weatherington said.

The law also requires all personal-watercraft drivers to complete an approved safe boating education course, if they were born on or after Jan. 1, 1986. That means people who were 24 or older at the first of this year are not required to take the course.

The new minimum age of 16 for operating a personal watercraft alone takes effect July 10. According to the Game and Fish Commission, the phrase “personal watercraft” covers brand names like Jet Skis, Sea-Doos and WaveRunners.

The law allows people younger than 12 to operate a personal watercraft once they have completed a safe-boating education course, as long as someone who is at least 21 years of age is aboard “in a position to take immediate control.” Weatherington said.

“We would like to encourage the parents to get involved and also attend a safe boating education course make it a family affair,” Weatherington said. “The course contains information relevant to all boaters and all types of vessels.”

Information from: The Sentinel-Record, www.hotsr.com

Topics Training Development