Virginia Beach, situated along the Atlantic Ocean, is a haven for maritime enthusiasts. The city boasts diverse waterways and scenic landscapes, providing ample opportunities for boat rentals and charters, allowing individuals to immerse themselves in its captivating surroundings and abundant wildlife.
Virginia Beach offers scenic landscapes and diverse waterways for jet ski enthusiasts.
Jet skiing is undoubtedly an exhilarating and adventurous way to explore our nation's waterways. If you decide that buying a personal watercraft is right for you, check out our Buying Guide!
Here's what you should know before renting a jet ski:
- Before renting a jet ski, you must check your area's license and age requirements.
- Upon arriving at the rental facility, you'll likely receive a safety briefing.
- You'll have to sign a rental agreement before operating the jet ski.
- You should also remember local rules and regulations when renting a jet ski.
- Whether on a personal watercraft or a yacht, checking the weather conditions before hitting the water is necessary.
- Jet skis come in all shapes and sizes - each with its own unique controls and features.
Jet skiing involves a certain level of risk, so you'll need to wear the proper safety equipment. The rental facility should provide you with a personal floatation device (PFD)-make sure it fits properly! Generally, this agreement covers the terms and conditions of the rental, including insurance coverage, liability, and damages you would be responsible for. Many waterways impose restrictions like speed limits, no-wake zones, distance from other watercraft or swimmers, jumping or spinning restrictions, etc. Your rental team should cover them all during the safety briefing. Before hitting the waves, take some time to familiarize yourself with your specific jet ski.
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As we mentioned, jet skiing assumes a certain level of risk! Go slow until you're away from shore. Wear the key around your wrist. Don't drink and drive. Don't speed! Most jet skis don't come with breaks, and excessive speeding is a common cause of collision. The exact cost of your jet ski rental depends on your location and the duration of your rental. A bathing suit and a properly fitting life jacket will do the trick.
Yes! Jet skis are easy to operate and very fun.
Virginia Beach Boat Launches and Marinas
With its expansive shoreline, the city is home to various boat launches and marinas, providing a paradise for boating aficionados.
- Lake Lawson / Lake Smith Natural Area: Situated in the Bayside Borough of Virginia Beach at the intersection of Shell Road and Northampton Blvd. All boats must possess a valid City of Norfolk Boat Permit, as the reservoirs of Lake Smith/Lake Lawson fall under the governance of the City of Norfolk. There is no fee for launching.
- Lynnhaven Boat Ramp & Beach Facility: Featuring four concrete boat launch lanes for convenient access to the Chesapeake Bay, this facility requires launch fees.
- Munden Point Park: This park not only provides access to the North Landing River for boat, kayak, or canoe launches but also offers traditional park amenities such as ball fields, basketball and volleyball courts, playgrounds, picnic shelters, and a disc golf course. No fee is charged for launching.
- Owl Creek Boat Ramp: Equipped with four concrete boat launch lanes and associated temporary mooring areas, Owl Creek Boat Ramp offers direct access to Rudee Inlet and the Atlantic Ocean.
Safety Regulations and Requirements
All operators affiliated with Getmyboat are obligated to conduct their operations in strict accordance with local guidelines, guaranteeing full compliance with legal prerequisites. In Virginia Beach, this includes the acquisition of proper registrations, passes, and permits, along with meeting the necessary criteria for both vessels and captains. Operators are also required to adhere to the designated use of docks and specified boating areas for commercial activities, as stipulated by local laws and facility regulations.
Registration
Boating operations must possess a current and valid registration. The State of Virginia provides a dedicated resource to assist in determining the necessary steps for registering your vessel.
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Insurance
Insurance is required for all commercial vessels operating in Virginia Beach. This obligation extends to vessels employed for hire, including charter boats and water taxis, as well as those utilized for commercial purposes like fishing boats and towboats. For guidance in selecting the optimal insurance coverage for your business, get in touch with our partner, Boat Charter Insurance.
Captain's Licensing
Captains are required to possess a valid US Coast Guard license tailored to the size and type of the vessel under their command. For vessels accommodating up to six passengers, a 6-pack license is obligatory, whereas those with more than six passengers necessitate a Master Captain's license. The captain bears the responsibility for ensuring the safety of both the charter vessel and all individuals aboard. Apply the code GETMYBOAT10 to enjoy a 10% discount.
Determine what captain license is required for your boat rentals by reading the following articles below:
- Captain included in the price
- Captain arranged separately
- Captain not included
Boaters Education
All operators of personal watercraft (PWC) aged 14 and above, as well as operators of motorboats with 10 horsepower or more, irrespective of age, are required to complete a boating safety course. To acquire this boater's education, you can locate a suitable course through Boat-Ed.
Those renting personal watercraft must provide renters with instructions on Commonwealth motorboat laws, the specific operation of the rented watercraft, mandatory safety equipment, accident reporting procedures, and any additional information required by the Director. The Director must approve the content and instructional methods.
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Boat Permits
Permits are required for all boats in Norfolk’s Reservoirs, including canoes, kayaks, and motorized boats.
Boat Permits are available for purchase at the following locations:
- Customer Service Counter at Norfolk City Hall
- Department of Utilities
- Oceans East Bait & Tackle
- G’Daddy’s Bait and Tackle
Safety Checklist Program
Businesses renting or leasing motorboats with a motor of 10 horsepower or greater must provide operators with a dockside safety checklist, consisting of information on Virginia boating laws and safe boat operation.
Authorized operators must review and initial each item on the checklist before operating the rented or leased boat.
The dockside safety checklist, along with the rental or lease agreement, must be retained on board the boat during operation.
Exemptions from the checklist requirements are granted to individuals with documented boating safety education, valid licenses, or specific certifications, as outlined in the regulations.
Under certain circumstances, a person may be allowed to operate a rented/leased boat without completing the dockside safety checklist if operating under the direct supervision of a qualified individual or in cases of assisting an operator with illness or physical impairment.
Jet Ski Accident Prevention
Jet skis or personal watercraft are some of the most dangerous vessels on the water. Numerous jet ski accidents are reported because these machines are fast and unstable. They are often driven by young and inexperienced riders.
Jet skis can be great fun on the waters off Hampton, Chesapeake Bay, or Virginia Beach. However, you should treat them with care. You should operate them like other boats. Unfortunately, many states lack adequate laws to govern how jet skis or PWCs are operated.
We see some terrible injuries cause by jet ski accidents. Riders often suffer broken limbs, back and head injuries, burns and joint damage. In some cases, victims drowned. Reckless jet ski users place other boaters and swimmers at risk.
If you or a family member has been injured on the water, please contact our Hampton personal injury lawyers as soon as possible.
What are the Rules to Prevent Jet Ski Injuries in Virginia?
The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries sets out rules relating to jet skis in the Commonwealth.
As of July 2009, the department made it mandatory for all riders 20 and younger must complete a boater safety course.
The dangers were highlighted in the 2003 boating accident statistics in Virginia, the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries points out.
While personal watercraft comprised just over 10 percent of all registered boats, they were involved in 22.6 percent of all boating accidents in Virginia that year. These vessels operate at a high speed and riders have little protection. The main injuries include:
- Head Injuries and concussions: Mild traumatic head injuries like concussions are one of the most common jet ski injuries. Riders of personal water craft seldom wear head protection, nor is it mandatory. If they are thrown off their jet ski, they may hit the water or an obstacle hard. A concussion in the water can be particularly hazardous, leading to disorientation and drowning.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: It’s not uncommon for jet ski riders to end up paralyzed after a serious accident. The high speeds involved in jet ski crashes can put extreme force on the spine.
- Arm and leg fractures: Often a rider will seek to break his or her fall by putting out a hand or a leg. Wrist and ankle fractures are common in jet ski accidents as well as serious sprains.
- Burn injuries: In some cases, crashes cause jet skis to ignite. The rider or other parties may suffer serious burn injuries. Riders have been killed during fueling accidents in Hampton Roads.
Common injuries from jet ski accidents include head trauma, spinal cord injuries, and fractures.
Tips for Safe Jet Ski Use in Virginia
Many people who are injured or killed in jet ski accidents act recklessly or fail to follow the rules. Often swimmers or other boaters end up as victims of riders.
- Don’t Drink Alcohol on the Water: Many people think differently about drinking alcohol on the water than on the roads. However, the rules are the same. Drinking alcohol can be hazardous on the water, especially for jet ski riders operating at high speeds.
- Wear a Lifejacket: Always wear a lifejacket when you are out on the water. Rivers and the ocean can be unforgiving places. Even advanced swimmers can drown if they are out on the water for a long time.
- Maintain Your Watercraft: People who own their own personal watercraft should maintain it before hitting the water. Failing to check the gas tank is full or the battery is working can leave you stranded on the water and pose dangers to other boaters.
- Slow Down: Excess speed is a major cause of jet ski crashes. Make sure to maintain a safe speed and keep distance between yourself and other boaters.
- Don’t race or play games: Many deadly jet ski crashes are caused by reckless riders, racing or other irresponsible behavior. A jet ski is a dangerous piece of equipment not a toy.
Navigation Rules and Regulations
Practice Good Seamanship - it is the responsibility of every vessel or PWC operator to take all necessary action to avoid collisions. Keep a Proper Lookout - every operator must keep a proper lookout using both sight and hearing at all times. The boat operator is responsible for knowing and following all of the applicable navigation rules. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.
When two power-driven vessels are meeting head-on or nearly head-on, each shall alter her course to starboard (right) so that each shall pass on the port side of the other. The “stand-on” vessel shall maintain course and speed unless it becomes apparent that the vessel required to keep out of the way (the “giveway” vessel) is not taking the appropriate action. An action taken to avoid a collision needs to be positive, made in ample time and large enough to be apparent to the other vessel. When taking action to stay out of the way, make it early, substantial and well clear of the other boat. Avoid making a succession of small alterations of course or speed.
If you are directed by the Rules to stay out of the way, then make your turn large and obvious so as to be readily apparent to another vessel both visually or by radar. If you are being overtaken (passed), you are the stand-on vessel and should maintain your course and speed. The vessel overtaking you should notify an intent to pass by making an appropriate sound signal. At times it may be necessary to depart from these rules in order to avoid immediate danger. When, from any cause the vessel required to keep its course and speed finds itself so close that collision cannot be avoided by the action of the give-way vessel alone, the operator shall take such action as will best aid to avoid collision. This action does not relieve the give-way vessel of its obligation to keep out of the way.
In narrow channels, the operator of every vessel shall, when it is safe and practicable, keep to that side of the fairway or mid-channel which lies on the right side of such vessel. Proceed at a safe speed adapted to the prevailing circumstances and conditions of restricted visibility. Except where it has been determined that a risk of collisions does not exist, every vessel which hears apparently forward of her beam the fog signal of another vessel, or which cannot avoid a close-quarter situation with another vessel forward of her beam, shall reduce her speed to the minimum at which she can be kept on course.
Buoys are the most familiar aids to navigation-they’re the signposts of the water. Here’s how they work: entering a channel or river from open water, buoys on the right (starboard) are painted red and are even numbered starting from the mouth. Buoys on the left (port) side of the channel are green buoys with odd numbers. Buoys marking mid-channel have red and white vertical stripes; those marking obstructions or junctions are striped horizontally red or green with the top band marking the best channel. Red top: keep buoy on your right. Green top: keep buoy on your left.
Virginia Boating Laws
Boating laws are enforced primarily by Conservation Police Officers employed by DWR. Virginia’s law states that boat operators with blood alcohol concentrations of .08 percent or more by weight, by volume, shall be presumed to be under the influence of alcoholic intoxicants.
The Virginia Implied Consent Law states that by operating a watercraft, you are agreeing to submit to a breath and/or blood test to determine the amount of alcohol and/or drugs in your blood. Virginia Law prohibits persons younger than 21 from consuming alcohol and operating a watercraft with any measurable alcohol level. Operation under the influence of alcohol or other drugs is a criminal offense. Don’t allow a drinking boater to make you and your passengers boating fatality statistics.
It shall be unlawful to operate any motorboat greater than no wake speed when within 50 feet or less of docks, piers, boathouses, boat ramps, and people in the water. Every motorboat, when approaching or passing within 200 feet of any law enforcement vessel or emergency services vessel that is displaying flashing blue or red lights, shall slow to no-wake speed so that the effect of the wake does not disturb the activities of the law enforcement or emergency services personnel.
It is unlawful to allow any person to ride or sit on the bow, gunwale, transom, or on the decking over the bow of the vessel while under power unless such motorboat is provided with adequate guards or railing to prevent passengers from falls overboard. No person shall engage in snorkeling or scuba diving in waters open to boating without displaying a diver-down flag.
Water skiing behind a motorboat (or towing of people on other devices) is allowed only between one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Water skiing behind a PWC (or towing of people on other devices) is allowed only between sunrise to sunset.
PWCs must follow all rules and regulations for motorboats. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a PWC, or the owner or any person having control to authorize or knowingly permit a person to operate a PWC, unless the operator is at least 16 years of age. It is unlawful to operate a PWC unless the operator, each rider and anyone being towed by a PWC is wearing a USCG approved wearable life jacket suited for this activity. PWC operators must maintain “no wake” operation when within 50 feet or less of docks, piers, boathouses, boat ramps, people in the water and vessels other than PWCs. PWCs may tow a skier with a rope less than 50 feet.
Most boating accidents are the result of a collision, either between two vessels, or between a vessel and a fixed or submerged object. For this reason, boat operators are cautioned to follow the established Navigation Rules, especially maintaining a proper lookout and safe speed.
Boating Safety Education
The DWR provides a free classroom boating safety course, Boat Virginia. This course is available throughout the year. Power Squadrons (USPS). There are several internet courses that meet Virginia’s Boating Safety Education Requirement. For a up-to-date list of boating safety education course offerings and boating safety information, visit this link.
Enjoy a great selection of one-, two- and three-seater Yamaha Waverunners, rented by the hour or half hour. Couples or families, take your own private oceangoing cruise aboard one of our speedboats rented by the hour. Take a kayak out for the day or half-day on our sunlit natural waterways. Or invite up to 6 people out for a full or half-day’s sport fishing charter on a new 51-ft. custom-built boat.
Rudee Inlet Jet Ski Rentals is conveniently located just two blocks off the Virginia Beach Oceanfront on Rudee Inlet next to Big Sam’s Restaurant and Raw Bar.