CHAPTER 536

H.P. 231 - L.D. 307

An Act To Improve Recreational Watercraft Safety

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §13071-A, sub-§5 is enacted to read:

5.__Operating personal watercraft while 16 years of age or older and under 18 years of age; boater education.__The following provisions apply to operating a personal watercraft by a person 16 years of age or older and under 18 years of age.

A.__A person 16 years of age or older and under 18 years of age may not operate a personal watercraft unless:

(1)__That person is accompanied by a person 18 years of age or older who physically occupies the personal watercraft; or

(2)__While operating the personal watercraft, that person possesses on that person identification showing proof of age and proof of successful completion of a boater safety education course approved by a national association of state boating law administrators, including but not limited to courses offered by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or other organizations approved by the commissioner for providing boater safety education courses.__ The commissioner shall