During the summer months, New York City’s waterways are the exclusive domain of jetskis.
These small motorboats, which seat one or two people, often whiz along at breakneck speeds, popping spectacular “wheelies” and sending arcs of water into the air. They dart between larger craft with astounding agility, choking their occupants with fumes and noise, but without a second thought from their pilots. When they aren’t annoying the crap out of everyone around them, these pesky jetskiers are being ignored by police or getting themselves into dangerous situations.
There’s a reason for this: it’s illegal.
Jetskis are unregulated, and thus cannot be used on the city’s waterways without proper training. The only place where they’re allowed is in three small sections of Long Island Sound from late June to early September, provided that the pilot has passed a test and carries a license issued by the Coast Guard.
New York City has a reason for this: jetskis pose a serious danger to the nearly 7,000 commercial and private boats that navigate the waterways every day.
New york city’s waterways are patrolled by police and marine safety officials, but these jet skiers still manage to cause problems. Many of them show blatant disregard for other boaters; their biggest complaint is against large vessels such as barges and ships, which they say cut them off or make sudden moves that endanger them.
However, the skiers’ biggest danger is their own lack of skill. In a city where most people know how to swim and have been on boats at least once in their lives, it isn’t surprising that so many jetskiers think they can handle themselves out on the water.
What to do?
For now, the only thing you can do is obey all water traffic laws and hope you don’t run into any of these idiots.
Can you jetski in New York?
Hell NO.
Unregulated watercraft such as jetskis are illegal to operate on New York City waterways.
Jetskiing is prohibited in NYC, but only during the summer months when you can ride them in Long Island Sound, provided that you have passed a test and carry a license issued by the Coast Guard. Otherwise, it’s illegal to operate unregulated motorboats including personal water crafts (PWCs), or “jet skis.” The New York City Police Department Marine Bureau recognizes PWCs as vessels that seat one or two people with an internal combustion engine powering a water jet pump as its primary source of motive power.
NYC regulations prohibit anyone from operating any vessel propelled by an internal combustion engine unless they are licensed by the United States Coast Guard.
The following waterways in New York City, among others, are subject to this regulation: Hudson River • East River • Jamaica Bay and its surrounding waterways including Little Bay and Alley Creek • The Arthur Kill and all channels within Staten Island Sound
All unregulated motorboats must be registered at a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office and display a registration decal while operating on Empire State waters. Failure to register your boat could result in a fine up to $250.00.
In addition, jet skiers should read . It details safe boating practices for personal watercraft use that will help prevent accidents on the water. [ARTICLE END]
Can you ride jet skis on the Hudson River?
No, you cannot.
You are not allowed to operate an unregulated motorboat, which includes personal watercraft (PWCs), or “jet skis” on the Hudson River. The NYPD Marine Bureau recognizes PWC’s as vessels that seat one or two people with an internal combustion engine powering a water jet pump as its primary source of motive power.
NYC regulations prohibit anyone from operating a vessel propelled by an internal combustion engine unless they are licensed by the United States Coast Guard. The following waterways, among others, are subject to this regulation:
- Hudson River
- East River
- Jamaica Bay and its surrounding waterways including Little Bay and Alley Creek.
- The Arthur Kill and all channels within Staten Island Sound
All unregulated motorboats must be registered at a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office and display a registration decal while operating on Empire State waters. Failure to register your boat could result in a fine up to $250.00. In addition, jet skiers should read . It details safe boating practices for personal watercraft use that will help prevent accidents on the water.
