Personal watercraft users tend to be the least experienced water vessel users. New Hampshire will require certificates for all boat users in the 2002 season. The Island has regulated the use of personal watercraft in several ways. Operators cannot tow skiers and are required to wear an emergency wrist shut-off leash and life jackets, to maintain a fire extinguisher on board and to register the watercraft. Along State Beach between Edgartown and Oak Bluffs, personal watercraft operators must remain 300 feet off the the shoreline and travel only at headway speed through Island harbors.
Harbor masters report more than a handful of problems with personal watercraft.
Mr. Blair said many people launch jet skis off unregistered trailers without licenses or lights, and they have begun to ticket illegal trailers to cut the number of offenders. Oak Bluffs harbor master Todd Alexander said he spends a large part of his day on patrol either stopping or warning personal watercraft operators who are not aware of the regulations or who deliberately violate rules. Mr. Alexander receives innumerable phone calls every day during the summer reporting Jet Ski violations. Personal watercraft users drive too close to swimmers and have narrowly missed hitting boats. Jay Wilbur, Vineyard Haven harbor master, has seen accidents involving skiers.