Maine § 13071-A. - Operating personal watercraft

Full text of Maine Maine Revised Statutes § 13071-A. — Operating personal watercraft, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 13071-A.. Operating personal watercraft

1. Operating personal watercraft while underage. A person under 16 years of age may not operate a personal watercraft.

A. A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged. [PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §384 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]

B. A person who violates this subsection after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime. [PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §384 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]

2. Additional safety requirements while operating personal watercraft. The following provisions apply to operating or being a passenger on a personal watercraft.

A. A person may not:

(1) Operate or be a passenger on a personal watercraft unless the person is wearing a Coast Guard approved personal flotation device; or

(2) Operate a personal watercraft during the hours between sunset and sunrise. [PL 2023, c. 228, §15 (AMD).]

B. The following penalties apply to violations of this subsection.

(1) A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged.

(2) A person who violates this subsection after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime. [PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §384 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]

3. Operating rented or leased personal watercraft without identification decal. A person may not operate a rented or leased personal watercraft on Brandy Pond in the Town of Naples or on Long Lake in the Town of Naples, the Town of Bridgton and the Town of Harrison that does not have a clearly visible decal affixed to the personal watercraft that identifies the rental agent.

4. Operating personal watercraft in prohibited area. The following provisions apply to operating a watercraft in prohibited areas.

A. A person may not operate a personal watercraft on:

(1) Mud Pond, Oversett Pond, South Pond, Round Pond, Twitchell Pond, Hicks Pond, Indian Pond or Furlong Pond in the Town of Greenwood in Oxford County;

(2) North Pond or Bryant Pond, also known as Christopher Lake, in the Town of Greenwood and the Town of Woodstock in Oxford County;

(3) Concord Pond, Little Concord Pond or Shagg Pond in the Town of Woodstock in Oxford County;

(4) Hamilton Pond in Bar Harbor in Hancock County;

(5) Bog Lake or Horseshoe Lake in the Town of Northfield in Washington County;

(6) Megunticook Lake in the Town of Camden and the Town of Hope in Knox County and the Town of Lincolnville in Waldo County;

(7) Hobbs Pond, Fish Pond or Alford Lake in the Town of Hope in Knox County;

(8) Norton Pond or Coleman Pond in the Town of Lincolnville in Waldo County;

(9) Pitcher Pond in the Town of Lincolnville and the Town of Northport in Waldo County;

(10) Torsey Lake in the Town of Mount Vernon and the Town of Readfield in Kennebec County;

(11) Trickey Pond in the Town of Naples in Cumberland County;

(12) Brandy Pond in the Town of Naples in Cumberland County between sunset and 9:00 a.m.;

(13) Fulton Lake in the Town of Northfield in Washington County;

(14) Knight Pond in the Town of Northport in Waldo County;

(15) Moose Pond or Saturday Pond in the Town of Otisfield in Oxford County;

(16) Tripp Pond, Upper Range Pond or Middle Range Pond in the Town of Poland in Androscoggin County;

(17) Keewaydin Lake, Virginia Lake, Trout Pond, Weymouth Pond or Whitney Pond in the Town of Stoneham in Oxford County;

(18) Lermond Pond in the Town of Union and the Town of Hope in Knox County;

(19) Pocasset Lake or Pickerel Pond in the Town of Wayne in Kennebec County;

(20) Androscoggin Lake in the Town of Wayne in Kennebec County and the Town of Leeds in Androscoggin County;

(21) Little Cobbosseecontee Lake in the Town of Winthrop in Kennebec County;

(22) Somes Pond in the Town of Mount Desert;

(23) Long Pond in the Town of Mount Desert and the Town of Southwest Harbor;

(24) Little Long Pond in the Town of Mount Desert;

(25) Meetinghouse Pond, Big Pond, Wat Tuh Lake, Center Pond and Silver Lake, also known as Silver Pond, in the Town of Phippsburg in Sagadahoc County;

(26) South Branch Lake in the Plantation of Seboeis and the Township of T2 R8 NWP in Penobscot County;

(27) Spring Lake in Spring Lake Township in Somerset County;

(28) Kennebago Lake and Kennebago River in Davis Township and Stetsontown Township in Franklin County;

(29) Nicatous Lake in the Townships of T40 MD, T41 MD and T3 ND in Hancock County;

(30) Crystal Lake in the Town of Washington in Knox County;

(31) Middle Branch Pond in the Town of Waterboro in York County;

(32) Highland Lake or Woods Pond in the Town of Bridgton in Cumberland County if the personal watercraft is rented and does not display a decal identifying the rental agency that owns the personal watercraft;

(33) Lake St. George in the Town of Liberty; or

(34) Keyes Pond in the Town of Sweden in Oxford County. [PL 2023, c. 106, §§1-3 (AMD).]

B. The following penalties apply to violations of this subsection.

(1) A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged.

5. Operating personal watercraft while 16 years of age or older and under 18 years of age; boater education.

6. Operating personal watercraft while 16 years of age or older; boater safety and education course requirement. Beginning January 1, 2024, a person born on or after January 1, 1999 may not operate a personal watercraft on inland waters of the State or territorial waters, as defined in section 6001, subsection 48‑B, unless that person is 16 years of age or older and has completed a boater safety and education course.

A. The following penalties apply to violations of this subsection.

(1) A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $500 may be adjudged.

Frequently Asked Questions About Maine § 13071-A.

What does Maine Revised Statutes § 13071-A. cover?

Section 13071-A. ("Operating personal watercraft") is part of the Maine Revised Statutes, the codified statutory law of Maine. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Maine § 13071-A.?

A common citation format is "Maine Revised Statutes § 13071-A." (Maine). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Maine law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Maine official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Maine attorney.

How does Maine § 13071-A. apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Maine can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Official text of § 13071-A. at the Maine source

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Maine.