A person must not operate or allow someone else to operate a PWC under his ownership or control in a reckless or negligent manner endangering the life or property of another person. Committing two or more of the following acts simultaneously is considered reckless operation:
• operating a PWC within a zone of proximity to another watercraft closer than sixty feet unless both are leaving a flat wake or are traveling at a speed of five nautical miles per hour.
• operating a PWC within the vicinity of a motorboat in a manner that obstructs the visibility of either operator.
• heads into the wake of a motorboat that is within a zone of proximity closer than sixty feet and causes one-half or more of the length of the PWC to leave the water.
• within a zone of proximity to another watercraft closer than sixty feet, maneuvers quickly, turns sharply or swerves, unless the maneuver is necessary to avoid a collision.

• Regulatory markers are can-shaped buoys colored orange and white. Geometric shapes painted on regulatory markers indicate:
• A diamond means danger. The nature of the danger may be indicated, e.g. rocks, reefs, dams, construction, or snags.
• A diamond with a cross inside means no boats are allowed.
• Circles mean caution or controlled area. The nature of the restriction is indicated, e.g. speed limit, no wake, no ski, ski only.
• A square or rectangular shape indicates information, directions, distances, names of places, or other general information.
• A can-shaped buoy with alternate red and white vertical stripes means the watercraft should not pass between the buoy and the shore.
• Mooring buoys are white with a horizontal blue band halfway between the top of the buoy and the waterline.
• An all red buoy is on the starboard (right) side when going upstream. It may be can-shaped or nun- shaped and may show a white even number.
• An all black or green buoy is on the port (left) side when going upstream. It will be can-shaped and may show a white odd number.

WHAT EQUIPMENT AM I REQUIRED TO CARRY ON MY BOAT?

PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICES

• All watercraft, except sailboards, must be equipped with at least one U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (type I, II, or III) for each person aboard. Such devices must be in good and serviceable condition, readily accessible, and must fit the person for whom they are intended.
• All watercraft 16 feet and over must be equipped with at least one U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (type I, II, or III) for each person aboard and one type IV throwable personal flotation device.
• When operating a personal watercraft you must be sure that all persons aboard are wearing a personal flotation device.
• A child twelve years of age or under on board a watercraft must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (type I, II, or III) whenever the watercraft is underway.
• Any person being towed behind a watercraft must wear a personal flotation device or buoyant belt.

All watercraft under 26 feet long and using as fuel any volatile liquid having a flashpoint of 110 degrees Fahrenheit or less must carry at least one U.S. Coast Guard approved type B-I fire extinguisher if any of the following conditions exist:
• inboard engine
• closed compartments under thwarts and seats where portable fuel tanks may be stored
• double bottoms not sealed to the hull or which are not completely filled with flotation materials
• closed living spaces
• closed stowage compartments in which combustible or flammable materials are stored
• permanently installed fuel tanks (fuel tanks secured so they cannot be moved in case of fire or other emergency are considered permanently installed)

• Watercraft operated during the hours from sunset to sunrise are required to display navigation lights.
• Inland rules for lights on motorboats under 26 feet prescribe a red and green combination light forward, and a bright white light aft to show all around the horizon (360 degrees).
• Motorboats 26 to 65 feet must display a 20-point light on the bow as close as is practical to the stem and a white 32-point light aft and higher than the bow light to show all around the horizon. Separate side lights showing red 10 points to port and green 10 points to starboard must be used and fitted with screens to prevent them from being seen across the bow.
• All sailboats without an auxiliary engine on board must display separate red and green lights forward and a white 12-point light aft.
• Manually propelled watercraft must carry a lantern or flashlight showing a light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to avert collision. Lights are not necessary on waters where power craft are prohibited.
• All watercraft, when anchored, other than in a special anchorage area must, from sunset to sunrise, carry and display a steady white light visible all around the horizon for a distance of no less than two miles

WHAT MUST I DO TO OPERATE MY BOAT SAFELY?

• A person must not operate a watercraft while allowing any person to ride on the gunwales, the transom, or the decked over bow of a watercraft propelled by machinery operating in excess of a wakeless speed unless that portion of the watercraft was designed and constructed for the purpose of carrying passengers at all speeds or the watercraft is being maneuvered for anchoring, mooring or casting off moorings.
  
• A watercraft must not be operated with a passenger or passengers on the bow in such a manner as to obstruct the view of the operator.
  
• A watercraft must not be operated in excess of a posted speed limit or at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions, having regard to the actual and potential hazards existing. Speed must be controlled as necessary to avoid colliding with any person or other watercraft, creating dangerous wake, swamping other watercraft or otherwise endangering the lives or property of others.
  
• All watercraft 20 feet or less in length sold or manufactured in Arizona after January 1, 1971, must have a capacity plate attached and readily visible from the position normally occupied by the operator of the watercraft. No watercraft may be loaded beyond the safe carrying capacity indicated on this plate. Such plates are not required on canoes or sailboats.

WHAT IF I AM IN AN ACCIDENT?

The operator of a watercraft involved in a collision, accident or casualty of any type, must stop immediately and render reasonable assistance to persons affected. The operator is required to provide his name, address and the identification of his watercraft to any person injured and to the owners of any property damaged. A report of any boating accident must be filed directly with the Arizona Game and Fish Department by the owner or operator of the watercraft. Boating accident forms are provided by the Department, or other investigating officer, and must be filed within 48 hours if death or injury results from the occurrence. In all other cases, a report must be submitted within five days. Report forms are generally available from law enforcement personnel at the lakes, first aid stations, marinas, ranger stations, or from the Department.

• A watercraft having a person or persons in tow on water skis, surf board or similar contrivance must be occupied by at least two persons: an operator and an observer.
• The observer must display a bright or brilliant orange or red flag visible from all directions, no less than 12 X 12 inches on a side and mounted on a handle, at all times when the skier is down in the water and not actually skiing.
• Water skiing is prohibited between sunset and sunrise.
• No person may operate water skis or similar contrivances in a careless or reckless manner so as to endanger life or property, or in a manner contrary to that designated by regulatory markers.
• Any person being towed behind a watercraft must wear a personal flotation device or buoyant belt.

• Normal traffic on waterways is counterclockwise.
• Watercraft leaving the shoreline must yield the right of way to watercraft approaching the shoreline.
• The operator of a watercraft under power must yield the right of way to any craft not under power, unless the unpowered craft is overtaking the powered craft.
• Operators of watercraft must yield right of way to watercraft entering its "danger zone," which is an area from straight ahead to 112 and one half degrees to starboard (right side) in cases where a collision might occur.
• Watercraft may pass on either side when overtaking another, but the operator of the passing watercraft is responsible for any collision resulting and for his wake. Watercraft being overtaken must maintain course and speed.
• Watercraft meeting head-on must pass portside to portside when practical to do so.