eFoil regulations & spots in U.S. Virgin Islands

The U.S. Virgin Islands apply two layers of law. Federally, U.S. Coast Guard Policy Letter 01-22 (26 August 2022) classes eFoils and jetboards as vessels propelled by machinery: they must be numbered by the territory of principal use, carry the certificate of number, carry or wear a PFD, carry a sound device, show lights after sunset, and use the engine cut-off switch if fitted. Territorially, the Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) enforces Title 25 V.I. Rules and Regulations, Chapter 15 (Motorboats), whose thrillcraft definition covers personal watercraft and new watercraft inventions designed to be quick, manoeuvrable and carrying one to three persons, which captures eFoils.

DPNR states that no vessel may be operated without current registration, so register the board with DPNR and display the number. Under section 297-7 everyone on a PWC or thrillcraft must wear a USCG-approved Type I, II, III or V life jacket, a fitted lanyard cut-off must be attached to the rider, and no one under 18 may operate a PWC except riders aged 14 to 18 who have completed a DPNR-approved safe boating course and hold written parental consent; DPNR separately requires anyone 17 or under to wear a life jacket at all times. Riding between half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise requires approved running lights.

Thrillcraft must stay in operations areas: on St. Thomas and St. John at least 500 ft from any shoreline, on St. Croix at least 400 ft, and always 500 ft from designated swimming, snorkelling, diving, surfing and windsurfing areas. Designated swim areas are off-limits; restricted harbours and bays such as Christiansted Harbor and Mangrove Lagoon/Jersey Bay may be crossed only in a straight line at reduced speed; idle speed applies within 10 ft of a moored vessel; beaching under power, loud or modified motors, and wake-jumping within 100 ft of another vessel are prohibited. PWC and thrillcraft are banned in the Salt River Bay Marine Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary (St. Croix) and in No-Take zones of the St. Croix East End Marine Park; industry guidance reports them banned from Virgin Islands National Park waters around St. John, where Boat Exclusion Areas are closed to motorised vessels and speed is 5 mph within 200 ft of mooring fields.

DPNR Environmental Enforcement officers and the Coast Guard patrol; section 297-7 treats dangerous manoeuvres as reckless operation under 25 V.I.C. 297, and sanctuary rules carry their own penalties. Distances differ by island and rules by park. Register the board, wear a Type III PFD, launch where a straight run reaches water 500 ft out, and avoid St. John park waters and the St. Croix sanctuaries.