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Bullhead City reiterates PWC safety rules; city ordinance requires wristbands for rented craft
Summary
City materials reiterate PWC safety rules, rental wristband requirements under a city ordinance, and identify no-wake zones and restricted areas such as Community Park swim beach and the Davis Dam corridor.
Per city guidance, operators of rented personal watercraft (PWC) must wear wristbands indicating they have watched a safety video and signed a consumer protection form, a requirement the presentation described as mandated "per city ordinance." The city said failure to comply may result in fines or other penalties.
Chief Robert Treves of the Bullhead City Police Department summarized safety rules for river users: PWCs are not toys, riders must maintain at least 60 feet between themselves and other watercraft when traveling above a wakeless speed, and the river traffic pattern is counterclockwise. “Personal watercraft or PWCs are performance watercraft capable of thrilling speeds and maneuvers. They are not toys, and they can be highly dangerous if used improperly,” Treves said.
The city identified specific safety practices and hazard areas: riders should wear properly fitted life jackets, attach the PWC lanyard to wrist or life jacket, avoid jump wakes, keep a minimum separation from other craft, and learn how to right an overturned PWC from the rear. The presentation noted no-wake zones near marinas and ramps, the area south of the Community Park boat launch, the swim beach at Community Park (marked by buoys), and the Colorado River section just south of Davis Dam (blocked by a bright orange barrier), which is off-limits to swimmers and watercraft.
The city also pointed listeners to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for the Davis Dam release schedule and urged riders to avoid operating in shallow conditions or during monsoonal storms.
The video reiterated broader safety guidance including hydration, sun protection, and avoiding operation while intoxicated. Lifeguards wearing bright neon yellow uniforms patrol beaches and have authority to issue warnings on the river, the presentation said.
No ordinance number was provided in the presentation; the city materials cited only "per city ordinance."
