AUGUSTA – New age restrictions will apply to young operators of personal watercraft in Maine starting next year.

Gov. John Baldacci has signed into law a bill barring youths age 16 to 18 from operating personal watercraft unless they can show they’ve completed a boater safety course, or unless they have someone 18 or older aboard.

State law already prohibits people under 16 from operating personal watercraft.

The new restriction, which was signed by the governor Wednesday, will take effect in 2007.