[8/9/09 – 9:49 pm] On Friday, the governor signed into law amendments to NJSA 12:7-63 and NJSA 12:7-69 dealing with personal watercraft. NJSA 12:7-69 as amended will now permit municipal and county police officers to enforce all of the statutory provisions related to the operation of personal water craft in New Jersey. The expanded enforcement jurisdiction for local law police over the operation of “Sea-Doo” and other types of personal watercraft covers a wide range of maritime activities, including speeding (NJSA 12:7-64(b)). The companion amendments to NJSA 12:7-63 place further, new restrictions upon the operation of personal watercraft in New Jersey. The amended statutes read as follows:
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 2 of P.L.1993, c.299 (C.12:7-63) is amended to read as follows:
2. A person shall not operate a personal watercraft:
a. On the waters of this State between sunset and sunrise, or during any time of restricted visibility as determined by an agent or officer of the Marine Law Enforcement Bureau, Division of State Police;
b. Within the confines of the Point Pleasant Canal in the County of Ocean, or the Cape May Canal in the County of Cape May;
c. Above minimum headway speed within 1002 feet of:
(1) Buoys or signs that mark the boundaries of a swimming area ;
(2) The shoreline; [or]
(3) Any person in the water; or
(4) Residential dwelling units; or
d. In such a manner as to make the vessel completely leave the water or otherwise become airborne within 100 feet of another vessel.
(cf: P.L.1993, c.299, s.2)
2. Section 8 of P.L.1993, c.299 (C.12:7-69) is amended to read as follows:
8. A person who violates any provision of P.L.1993, c.299 (C.12:7-62 et seq.) shall be subject to the fines and penalties enumerated pursuant to section 8 of P.L.1952, c.157 (C.12:7-51). The Division of State Police in the Department of Law and Public Safety, and any officer of a county or municipal police department are authorized to enforce the provisions of P.L.1993, c.299 (C.12:7-62 et seq.) in a proceeding before a court of competent jurisdiction concerning the operation of personal watercraft, however, the Division of State Police shall maintain primary jurisdiction over the investigation of accidents and crimes involving the operation of1 personal watercraft. | 
