15.04.060 Rules of operation.
(1) The following rules of operation shall apply whenever vessels are approaching one another so as to involve the risk of collision, except whenever a vessel under mechanical power and a sailboat are proceeding in such a direction as to involve the risk of collision, the vessel shall keep out of the way of the sailboat and allow the sailboat the right-of-way:
(a) When two (2) vessels are approaching each other “head-on” or nearly so it shall be the duty of each vessel to bear to the right and pass the other boat on its left side.
(b) When boats approach each other obliquely (at near right angles) the vessel approaching on the right side has the right-of-way.
(c) One vessel may overtake another on either side, but must grant right-of-way to the overtaken vessel. The overtaken vessel will maintain course and speed until it is safely passed.
(2) No vessel shall operate closer to other vessels than is reasonable and safe and shall stay a reasonable and safe distance from slower moving vessels.
(3) No person operating a vessel shall allow any person to ride or sit on the gunwales thereof or on the decking over the bow of the vessel while under way; provided, that nothing in this section shall be construed to mean that passengers or other persons aboard a vessel cannot stand on the decking over the bow of the vessel to moor the vessel to a mooring buoy or to cast off from such buoy or to secure the vessel to a dock or wharf or to cast off from the same, or for any other necessary purpose.
(4) It shall be unlawful to operate a vessel between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise without a white light distinctly visible for 360 degrees horizontally and for a distance of at least 300 feet under clear conditions.
(5) No person shall operate a personal watercraft during darkness.
(6) A person under the age of fourteen (14) shall not operate a personal watercraft.
(7) A person shall not lease, hire or rent a personal watercraft to a person under the age of sixteen (16).
(8) A person shall not operate a personal watercraft in a reckless manner, including recklessly weaving through congested vessel traffic, recklessly jumping the wake of another vessel unreasonably or unnecessarily close to the vessel or when visibility around the vessel is obstructed, or recklessly swerving at the last moment to avoid collision.
(9) A person shall not load, or permit to be loaded, a vessel with passengers or cargo beyond its safe carrying ability or carry passengers or cargo in an unsafe manner, taking into consideration weather and other existing operating conditions, except where the overloading is reasonably advisable to effect a rescue or for some other similar purpose.
(10) No person may operate or permit the operation of a vessel without an approved personal flotation device on board for each person on the vessel. Each personal flotation device shall be in serviceable condition, of appropriate size and readily accessible.
(11) No person shall operate a personal watercraft without wearing a personal flotation device.
(12) A person operating a personal watercraft equipped by the manufacturer with a lanyard-type engine cut-off switch shall attach the lanyard to his or her person, clothing or personal flotation device as appropriate for the specific vessel. It is unlawful for any person to remove or disable a cut-off switch that was installed by the manufacturer or to operate a personal watercraft with a defective or disabled cut-off switch.