Rhode Island Boating

American Boat Operators' Course

Rhode Island Boat Operators' Course

Laws and Safety Equipment
Return to Table of Contents
1	Video
2	Laws
3	Numbering
4	Safety Equipment-Life Jackets
5	Fire Extinguishers
6	Visual Distress Signals
7	Ventilation
8	Mufflers
9	Backfire and Flame Control
10	Whistle Bell and Horn
11	Navigation Lights
12	Pollution and Garbage
13	Reckless Operation
14	Personal Watercraft
15	Water Skiing and Surfboarding
16	Diving
17	Boating Under the Influence
18	Boating Education
19	Classification and Signaling Devices
20	Channel Markers
21	Chapter Review

WATER SKIING AND SURFBOARDING

When towing a person or persons on water skis, or a surfboard, or similar device there must be in the vessel:

a person at least twelve (12) years of age, in addition to the operator, in a position to observe the progress of the person or persons being towed; and
there must be aboard the vessel, in addition to those required for the persons aboard the vessel, at least one life preserver, or life belt, or ring buoy for the person or persons being towed.

Skiing is allowed from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.

No person shall operate or manipulate any vessel, tow rope, or other device by which the direction or location of water skis, a surfboard, or similar device may be affected or controlled in such a way as to cause the water skis, surfboard, or similar device, or any person thereon to collide with or strike against any object or person.