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Official Website

of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

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    Boating Regulations

    Find the rules and regulations for all the ways boaters enjoy Pennsylvania's waters. And remember, life jackets save lives and are important year-round. 

    View the Boating Handbook
    Family of four, all wearing life jackets, ride in a powerboat along the Susquehanna River
    Pillar of a bridge over the Susquehanna River with "Dam" and an arrow pointing downstream to inform boaters there is a dam hazard ahead.

    Special Boating Regulations

    Title 58 Chapter 111 Special Regulations by counties

    View Regulations by County
    Family of four, all wearing life jackets, ride in a powerboat along the Susquehanna River

    Powered Boat Regulations

    Learn about regulations for powered boats, defined as boats powered by gasoline, diesel or electric motor.

    Powered Boat Regulations
    Woman wearing a life jacket paddling in a blue kayak next to a woman wearing a life jacket while standing on a paddleboard as they paddle on Marsh Creek Lake, Chester County, PA.

    Unpowered Boat Regulations

    Learn about regulations for unpowered boats, like canoes, kayaks, rowboats, stand-up paddleboards, etc.

    Unpowered Boat Regulations
    Close-up of a person wearing a life jacket operating a jet ski (or personal watercraft) on the Susquehanna River

    Personal Watercraft

    Personal watercrafts are defined as boats less than 16 feet in length that use an inboard engine powering a water jet pump and designed to be operated by a person sitting, kneeling or standing.

    Personal Watercraft
    Photo Credit: Scott Stover Photography. Young man wearing a life jacket and wake surfing while being towed by a boat.

    Boat-Towed Watersports

    Boat-towed watersports include activities that involve being towed by a boat or riding in or on the wake of a boat, such as waterskiing, wake surfing, kneeboarding and tubing.

    Boat-Towed Watersports
    Illustration of a life jacket and a throwable on a blue background

    Life Jackets and Throwables

    Life jackets save lives. Learn about various types of life jackets and how to wear them.

    Life Jackets and Throwables
    Man wearing a life jacket and cold weather gear uses his paddle to turn his kayak in the water

    Cold Weather Life Jacket

    From November 1 to April 30, boaters must wear a life jacket on boats less than 16 feet in length or any canoe, kayak or paddleboard.

    Cold Weather Life Jacket
    Canoes and Kayaks hanging on racks at the Boat Rental station at Pine Grove Furnace State Park

    Boat Rental Business Regulations

    Boat Rental Business Regulations
    Illustration of two boats colliding

    Report a Boating Accident

    Report a Boating Accident
    Boaters: Report boat fuel purchase and use at ReportBoatFuel.com

    Report Boat Fuel

    Report Boat Fuel