As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
PERSONAL WATERCRAFT
A power vessel defined as a Class A vessel by the United
States Coast Guard, and which:
A.
Is designed to be operated from a sitting, standing or kneeling
position;
B.
Is equipped with an internal combustion engine which powers
a water jet pump; and
C.
Cannot be operated in a manner so as to disengage the pump so
as to prevent the vessel from making headway.
No person shall operate a personal watercraft or allow a personal
watercraft to be operated in such a manner where the speed of the
personal watercraft may cause danger or injury to life or limb or
damage to property. Personal watercraft may not be operated in such
a manner as to make the vessel completely leave the water.
The speed of the personal watercraft shall be regulated so as
to avoid the risk of damage or injury by any means, from the personal
watercraft wake, to all manner of craft whether floating, moored,
anchored or underway, or to piers, wharfs, bulkheads, draw spans or
other waterfront construction, either directly or by the effect of
the wash or wave raised by such personal watercraft through its speed
or otherwise. Personal watercraft shall not be operated in any lagoon,
canal or confined area of less than 200 feet in width at any speed
above low speed or "no wake" speed, or above an idle speed within
50 feet of a bathing beach that has its boundaries marked by buoys
or signs, the shoreline, or any person in the water.
Personal watercraft may not be operated between sunset and sunrise.
[Amended 12-20-2001 by Ord. No. 1291]
A person who disregards the rights or safety of others and operates a personal watercraft on the waters of this Borough in a manner which unnecessarily interferes with the free and proper use of any waters, or which unnecessarily creates a risk of damage or injury to other craft therein, or to person or property, or violates the provisions of this article, shall be guilty of reckless operation of a vessel and be subject to the general penalty in Chapter
1, Article
II, General Penalty, of the Borough Code. Any person convicted of reckless operation of a personal watercraft must also complete a boat safety course.