New Ark. law raises watercraft operator age minimum to 16

By The Associated Press

An accident on Lake Hamilton two years ago led to a new Arkansas law that takes effect this week, setting the minimum age of 16 for a solo operator of a personal watercraft.

The new law is known as Rachel's Bill in memory of Rachel Rutherford, a 15-year-old Little Rock girl who died March 29, 2007, from injuries she suffered in a jet ski accident.

Under the new law, youngsters from 12 to 16 will be allowed to drive personal watercraft, but only if they are riding with an operator 18 or older, and that person is in a position to take "immediate control of the vessel," according to Capt. Stephanie Weatherington, boating law administrator for the state Game and Fishing Commission.

She said that means the older, backup driver must be facing the front of the personal watercraft. "They can't be sitting backward watching a skier," Weatherington said.

The law also requires all personal-watercraft drivers to complete an approved safe boating education course, if they were born on or after Jan. 1, 1986.