Bullhead City reiterates watercraft safety rules and rental wristband requirement under city ordinance

Bullhead City officials restated river safety rules for personal watercraft and highlighted a city ordinance that requires wristbands for rented PWCs to certify renters watched a safety video and signed a consumer protection form.

"Per city ordinance, all operators of rented personal watercraft, PWCs, are required to wear wristbands signifying they have watched and understand the safety video in its entirety, and they have signed the consumer protection form attesting to that fact," a city presentation said.

Chief Robert Treves of the Bullhead City Police Department appeared in a recorded segment advising that PWCs are "performance watercraft" and not toys, and that many accidents can be avoided by following basic boating safety. The video advised operators to maintain at least 60 feet between vessels when traveling above wakeless speed, to avoid jumping wakes, and to observe the river's counterclockwise traffic pattern.

The video identified several no-wake and banned areas: the area south of the Community Park boat launch is a no-wake zone; the Swim Beach at Community Park is marked by buoys and closed to watercraft; and the Colorado River just south of Davis Dam is blocked by a bright orange barrier for all swimmers and watercraft.

The presenters emphasized PWC-specific safety practices: wear a properly fitted life jacket, attach the engine cut-off lanyard to the wrist or life jacket, take passengers seated behind the operator, avoid being behind the jet nozzle, and avoid operating near docks and bridge abutments because of strong currents. The video also warned that boaters must heed lifeguards and that operating a watercraft under the influence is illegal and carries fines and jail time.

No new penalties or changes to the ordinance were announced in the recording. The city framed the segment as public education for visitors and residents who use the Colorado River and Bullhead City beaches.