As a personal watercraft (PWC) rider, you are a boater.

Personal watercrafts are defined as Class A inboard boats by the U.S. Coast Guard and are required to follow standard boating regulations. Personal watercraft operators are required to comply with all posted boat speed regulations.

In regard to ecosystem impacts, personal watercraft operators may increase the water turbidity in areas where they operate their vessels, which not only makes it harder to see things in the water but also blocks the light that seagrasses and other plants need to survive. In addition, if not operated in appropriate areas, these vessels may also blast out holes in seagrass systems and may disturb manatees or other wildlife in prime habitat areas. As a personal watercraft operator, you should understand how your vessel can affect wildlife and habitat in order to operate your vessel in a way that minimizes ecosystem impacts.