It's the Law: Specifically for Skiing

Vessel operators towing a person(s) on water skis, an aquaplane, or other similar device have additional laws.

Requirements for Towing Skiers

• Each person being towed behind a vessel must wear a USCG–approved PFD.
• It is illegal to tow a water-skier between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise.
• Every vessel towing a person(s) on water skis or a similar device must have a competent person, in addition to the vessel operator, continuously observing the towed person(s).
• If the towing vessel is a PWC, the PWC must be rated by the manufacturer for at least three people—the operator, the observer, and the retrieved skier.
• It is illegal to exceed “no wake speed” (maximum of five miles per hour) while within 100 feet of a dock, a swimmer, or a person in the water, except when:
  • You are safely pulling a water-skier from a dock or …
  • You are safely dropping a water-skier at or near a dock or …
  • The swimmer or person in the water is the vessel’s skier.
• Vessels towing a person(s) on water skis or similar device must carry on board a red or orange skier-down flag. The observer must display the flag whenever the skier is in the water.
• Vessel operators are responsible for the actions of any person they are towing.

Hand Signals for Skiers

Knowing proper hand signals will help the skier(s) communicate with their boat operator or the observer.

Back to dock	Skier OK	Skier down—watch!
Speed up	Slow down	Speed OK
Turn left	Turn right	Stop