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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>58643</law_id><section_number>29.1-738.03</section_number><catch_line>Reckless operation of a personal watercraft</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="29.1">Wildlife, Inland Fisheries and Boating</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="7">Boating Laws</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="3">Boating Safety</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>A person shall be guilty of reckless operation of a <span class="dictionary">motorboat</span> or <span class="dictionary">vessel</span> who <span class="dictionary">operates</span> any <span class="dictionary">personal watercraft</span> recklessly or at a speed or in such a manner so as to endanger the life, limb or property of any person, which shall include, but not be limited to:</p></section>
						<section id="1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Weaving through <span class="dictionary">vessels</span> which are underway, stopped, moored or at anchor while exceeding a reasonable speed under the circumstances and traffic conditions existing at the time; <a id="paragraph-214954" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/29.1-738.03/#1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="2"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Following another <span class="dictionary">vessel</span> or person on water skis or other similar device, crossing the path of another <span class="dictionary">vessel</span>, or jumping the wake of another <span class="dictionary">vessel</span> more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard to the speed of both <span class="dictionary">vessels</span> and the traffic on and the condition of the waters at the time; <a id="paragraph-214955" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/29.1-738.03/#2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="3"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Crossing between the towing <span class="dictionary">vessel</span> and a person on water skis or other device; or <a id="paragraph-214956" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/29.1-738.03/#3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="4"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> Steering toward an <span class="dictionary">object</span> or person and turning sharply in close proximity to such <span class="dictionary">object</span> or person in <span class="dictionary">order</span> to spray or attempt to spray the <span class="dictionary">object</span> or person with the wash or jet spray of the <span class="dictionary">personal watercraft</span>.
			A person who violates this section shall be guilty of a Class 1 <span class="dictionary">misdemeanor</span>, and for a second or subsequent <span class="dictionary">offense</span>, the <span class="dictionary">court</span> shall <span class="dictionary">order</span> the person not to <span class="dictionary">operate</span> a <span class="dictionary">personal watercraft</span> which is underway upon the <span class="dictionary">waters of the Commonwealth</span> for a period of twelve months. <a id="paragraph-214957" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/29.1-738.03/#4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1998, c. 514.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
