It's the Law: Specifically for Skiing
Vessel operators (including PWC operators) towing a person(s) on water skis,
surfboards, or any other devices have additional laws.
Requirements for Towing Skiers
- Each person being towed behind a vessel on water skis or any other device must wear a U.S. Coast Guard–approved Type I, II, III, or V PFD.
- Inflatable PFDs are not approved for use by persons being towed.
- This law does not apply to persons participating in a marine permitted barefoot or trick water-skiing event. An approved PFD must be on board the vessel for each of these skiers.
- A vessel towing a person(s) on water skis or any other device must have at least two competent persons on board—one to operate the vessel and a second person to observe the towed person(s).
- This law does not apply to vessels that are operated by a person at least 16 years old and that are equipped with a wide-angle, convex rearview mirror, at least 7 x 14 inches in size, positioned so that the operator can observe the towed person(s).
- This law does not apply to vessels engaged in authorized water-skiing tournaments or competitions.
- It is illegal to tow a person(s) on water skis, a surfboard, or similar device between the hours of one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise.
- The operator of the towing vessel and the skier must operate in a safe manner. A reasonable distance from other vessels, people, and property must be maintained so as not to endanger the life or property of others.
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 |
Avoiding Propeller Strike Injuries
Most propeller strike accidents result from operator error. Victims include swimmers, scuba divers, fallen water-skiers, and boat operators or passengers. Most propeller accidents can be prevented by following basic safe boating practices.
- Maintain a proper lookout. The primary cause of propeller strike accidents is operator inattention.
- Make sure the engine is off so that the propeller is not rotating when passengers are boarding or leaving a boat.
- Never start a boat with the engine in gear.
- Slow down when approaching congested areas and anchorages. In congested areas, always be alert for swimmers and divers.
- Learn to recognize warning buoys that mark swimming and hazardous areas.
- Keep the boat away from marked swimming and diving areas. Become familiar with the red and white or blue and white diver-down flags signaling that divers are below the surface.
- Make sure that passengers are seated properly before getting underway. Some operators of larger boats with several passengers have caused injuries by putting the engine in gear while people were still swimming or diving from the boat.
- Never ride on a seat back, gunwale, transom, or bow.
Devices that Reduce Propeller Strikes
There are several new technologies designed to reduce propeller strikes. The effectiveness of the devices varies, depending on the boat and the operating environment.
For more information, read the article "Propeller Injury Intervention" on the U.S. Coast Guard's Boating Safety website: www.uscgboating.org.
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