It's the Law: Specifically for Skiing

Vessel operators towing a person(s) on water skis, aquaplanes, or any similar devices must obey these laws also.

Requirements for Towing Skiers (625 ILCS 45/5-14)

When a vessel is pulling a person on water-skis, aquaplanes, or similar devices, the operator must have a competent person on board to act as an observer.

All vessels, including PWCs, that are towing a person(s) on water skis, aquaplanes, or similar devices must be designed and recommended by the manufacturer to accommodate the operator, observer, and person(s) being towed.

A person may not be towed from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise.

Those towing skiers on water skis, aquaplanes, or similar devices and those being towed must act in a safe and prudent manner.

• Vessels towing persons must maintain a reasonable distance from other persons and property so as not to endanger the life or property of any person.
• It is illegal to operate the vessel or manipulate the towing rope, water skis, or other devices such that the towed device or person collides with any other person or object.

Hand Signals for Skiers

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

Skier OK	Skier-down—watch!
Speed up	Slow down
Speed OK	Turn left
Turn right	Stop