Section 655.7 Of Article 1. Operation And Equipment From California Harbors And Navigation Code >> Division 3. >> Chapter 5. >> Article 1.
655.7
. (a) A person operating a personal watercraft equipped by the
manufacturer with a lanyard-type engine cutoff switch shall attach
the lanyard to his or her person, clothing, or personal flotation
device, as appropriate for the specific vessel.
(b) No person shall operate a personal watercraft equipped by the
manufacturer with a self-circling device if the self-circling device
or engine throttle has been altered in any way that would impede or
prevent the self-circling device from operating in its intended
manner.
(c) Every personal watercraft shall, at all times, be operated in
a reasonable and prudent manner. Maneuvers that unreasonably or
unnecessarily endanger life, limb, or property, including, but not
limited to, jumping or attempting to jump the wake of another vessel
within 100 feet of that other vessel, operating the personal
watercraft toward any person or vessel in the water and turning
sharply at close range so as to spray the vessel or person, or
operating at a rate of speed and proximity to another vessel so that
either operator is required to swerve at the last minute to avoid
collision, is unsafe or reckless operation of a vessel.
(d) A person shall not operate a personal watercraft at any time
between the hours from sunset to sunrise. This subdivision does not
apply to marine patrol, harbor police, or emergency personnel in the
performance of their duties.
(e) This section does not apply to a performer who is engaged in a
professional exhibition or to a person who is participating in a
regatta, race, marine parade, tournament, exhibition, or other event
sanctioned by the United States Coast Guard or authorized by a permit
issued by the local entity having jurisdiction over the area where
the event is held.
(f) Any violation of this section is an infraction.