HOUSE BILL REPORT
SHB 2421
As Amended by the Senate
BYHouse Committee on Natural Resources & Parks (originally sponsored by Representatives Dorn, Belcher, Beck, Rasmussen, Betrozoff and R. King)
Requiring safety standards for the operation of jet skis.
House Committe on Natural Resources & Parks
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. (10)
Signed by Representatives Belcher, Chair; K. Wilson, Vice Chair; Beck, Ranking Republican Member; Brumsickle, Dellwo, Ferguson, Fuhrman, Hargrove, H. Myers and Raiter.
House Staff:Marilee Scarbrough (786-7196)
AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 9, 1990
BACKGROUND:
Recently, local law enforcement officials have noticed the growing popularity of personal watercraft. Personal watercraft include Jet Skis, Wet Bikes, Wetjets, Waverunners, and other highly maneuverable, small vessels on which the operator stands, sits, kneels, or is towed behind. Because these vessels are small, fast, and barely visible they pose an unusually high risk of injury.
In 1988, because of the numerous complaints from law enforcement agencies and property owners, the state Parks and Recreation Commission coordinated a personal watercraft awareness clinic. Over 60 officers from three states attended the clinic. The officers learned through their testing of the machines that operators fall off easily and are vulnerable to exhaustion.
The state Parks and Recreation Commission has adopted boating safety and water skiing standards. The standards adopted are the United States Coast Guard Safety standards, which do not deal specifically with personal watercraft. There are, therefore, no state wide standards for the operation of personal watercraft.
SUMMARY:
The operator of a personal watercraft shall be at least 14 years old. The operator and all occupants must wear a flotation device approved by the Coast Guard. If the craft is equipped with a lanyard cutoff switch, the lanyard must be attached to the operator. The operator must operate the vehicle in a reasonable manner. No person may operate a personal watercraft during the period from sunset until sunrise. The craft shall not be operated within 50 yards from a shoreline, or exceed seven knots on bodies of water with a width of less than 200 yards. A remote-operated personal watercraft must have a flag attached which is visible from all directions. It is unlawful to remove or use a cutout device on any personal watercraft muffler or muffling device.
EFFECT OF SENATE AMENDMENTS: A water ski observer shall meet the minimum qualifications established by rules of the state Parks and Recreation Commission. The minimum age for an operator of a vessel powered by 10 horse power or more is deleted. The personal watercraft definition is changed to a vessel with a motor powering water jet pump, rather than a vessel with an inboard motor powering a water jet. Seaplanes are specifically excluded from the definition of vessel. An additional requirement is added for the muffler, which requires a series of baffles and chambers to blend the exhaust and motor noise. The provisions related to speed and the distance a water craft must operate from swimmers and the shoreline are deleted.
Fiscal Note: Requested February 2, 1990.
House Committee ‑ Testified For: Representative Randy Dorn; Nina Carter, state Parks and Recreation Commission; and Jim French, state Parks and Recreation Commission.
House Committee - Testified Against: No one.
House Committee - Testimony For: Personal watercraft injuries have occurred in Washington and California. The vessel is safe, but lack of operator skills can cause problems. There are no guidelines in Washington for the operation of personal watercraft. The state of Washington needs guidelines for watercraft operators. Washington already has boater safety and water skiing rules.
House Committee - Testimony Against: None.
VOTE ON FINAL PASSAGE:
Yeas 93; Absent 2; Excused 3 - 2/9
Absent: Representatives Bennett and Hargrove
Excused: Representatives Basich, Chandler and D. Sommers