Arizona Laws 5-341. Negligent operation of watercraft or water skis; restriction in operation of watercraft; violation; classification
A. No person shall operate a watercraft in a careless, reckless or negligent manner.
Attorney's Note
Under the Arizona Laws, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Class 2 misdemeanor | up to 4 months | up to $750 |
Terms Used In Arizona Laws 5-341
- Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
- Operate: means to operate or be in actual physical control of a watercraft while on public waters. See Arizona Laws 5-301
- Operator: means a person who operates or is in actual physical control of a watercraft. See Arizona Laws 5-301
- Person: includes any individual, firm, corporation, partnership or association, and any agent, assignee, trustee, executor, receiver or representative thereof. See Arizona Laws 5-301
- Wakeless speed: means a speed that does not cause the watercraft to create a wake, but in no case in excess of five miles per hour. See Arizona Laws 5-301
- Watercraft: means any boat designed to be propelled by machinery, oars, paddles or wind action on a sail for navigation on the water, or as may be defined by rule of the commission. See Arizona Laws 5-301
B. A person shall not operate a watercraft while allowing a person to ride on the gunwales, the transom or the decked over bow of a watercraft propelled by machinery operating in excess of wakeless speed except if:
1. That portion of the watercraft was designed and constructed for the purpose of carrying passengers at all speeds.
2. The watercraft is being maneuvered for anchoring, mooring or casting off moorings.
C. No watercraft shall be operated with a passenger or passengers on the bow in such a manner as to obstruct the view of the operator.
D. No person on water skis, a surfboard or a similar contrivance shall behave in a careless, reckless or negligent manner.
E. Except in case of emergency no person under the age of twelve years may operate a watercraft propelled by a motor of greater than eight horsepower unless the person’s parent or legal guardian or at least one person who is eighteen years of age or older is present on the watercraft.
F. Except as provided in subsection E, it is unlawful for any person to allow another person under the age of twelve to operate a motor-powered watercraft.
G. A person violating subsection A, B, C or D is guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor.