---
kind: "section"
citation: "36 C.F.R. § 3.9"
title: "36"
number: "3.9"
heading: "May I operate my personal watercraft (PWC) in park waters?"
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/36/3.9"
---

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

- (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:
- (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)](#b-1..b-4) of this section.

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 54 U.S.C. 100101, 100751, 320102.

### Source

Source: 72 FR 13702, Mar. 23, 2007, unless otherwise noted.