WATER SKIING AND TOWING

Operators of motorized watercraft shall display a fluorescent orange flag, at least twelve (12) inches x twelve (12) inches in size, above the motorized watercraft anytime persons towed on water-skis, water sport toys, or other contrivances are down in the water to warn other watercraft operators of the situation. The operator of the motorized watercraft shall ensure the flag is displayed in such a manner that it is visible three hundred sixty degrees (360 o) around the motorized watercraft and the person in the water.

Motorboat Pulling Skier To Be Occupied By At Least 2 Persons; Hours Of Operation.

All motorboat which are towing or otherwise assisting a person on water skis, aquaplane or similar contrivance, shall be operated or propelled in or upon any waterway, with at least two (2) persons (operator and observer).

The above rule does not apply to motorboats used by representatives of duly constituted water ski schools in the giving of instruction, or to motorboats used in duly authorized water ski tournaments, competitions, expositions, or trials therefor, or to any motorboat equipped with a wide angle rear view mirror.

Hours of skiing

No motorboat shall have in tow or shall otherwise be assisting a person on water skis, aquaplane or similar contrivance from the period of one (1) hour after sunset to one (1) hour prior to sunrise. Provided, that this subsection shall not apply to motorboats used in duly authorized water ski tournaments, competitions, expositions, or trials therefor.

Reasonable Care

All motorboats having in tow or otherwise assisting a person on water skis, aquaplane or similar contrivance, shall be operated in a careful and prudent manner at a reasonable distance from persons and property so as not to endanger the life or property of any person.

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

Observer

The observer required to be in a motorboat while engaged in skiing (who is not operating the motorboat) shall continuously observe the person being towed.

BOAT RACES, REGATTAS AND WATER SKI TOURNAMENTS

No regattas, watercraft races, marine parades, tournaments or exhibitions, or trials thereof, shall be held without written permission from the Department.

Department permission shall not be granted for any regattas, watercraft races, marine parades, tournaments or exhibitions or trials thereof, without first assuring that:

• When the Department approves an event, water markers, buoys, and/or regulatory signs shall be placed during the hours of the event by the person making application for the event to warn other watercraft operators of a controlled area prohibited to anyone other than contestants of the event. The markers, buoys, and/or regulatory signs shall conform with those adopted for use in the State; and,
• The person making application for the regatta, watercraft races, marine parades, tournaments, exhibitions or trials shall satisfy the Department that adequate safeguards and controls exist to protect human life, limb and property.