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Official Massachusetts Boating Handbook

It's the Law: Specifically for Skiers and Those Towing Them

Vessel operators towing a person(s) on water-skis, aquaplane, kneeboard, tube, or a similar device have additional laws they must follow.

Towing Skiers

  • It is illegal to tow a person on water-skis or similar devices behind a PWC.
  • Female water skierEvery vessel towing a person(s) on water-skis or similar devices must have on board, in addition to the operator, an observer at least 12 years of age constantly observing the person being towed.
  • Each person being towed behind a vessel on water-skis or similar devices must wear a USCG-approved Type I, II or III PFD.
  • It is illegal for vessels to tow a person(s) on water-skis or similar devices between the hours from sunset to sunrise.
  • All vessels towing a person on water-skis or similar devices must be equipped with a ladder, steps, platform, or similar device that can be used to pull the person being towed from the water.
  • Everyone engaged in water-skiing—the operator and the towed person(s)—must conduct themselves in a safe and responsible manner:
    • Water-skiers must ski at a safe distance to prevent their wash from being thrown into or causing excessive rocking to other vessels, rafts or floats.
    • The towing vessel must not be operated within 150 feet of shorelines being used as swimming areas, or within 75 feet of floats or markers that designate swimming areas.
    • It is illegal for the vessel operator or the towed person to do so while under the influence of alcohol or any controlled substance.
  • Water-skiing is not permitted on some Massachusetts waterways. Check before you go out.

Hand Signals for Skiers

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

Hand Signals

Descriptions of Hand Signals for Skiers

Hand Signal-Back to Dock Back to dock
Hand Signal-Skier OK Skier OK
Hand Signal-Skier Down Skier down - watch!
Hand Signal-Speed Up Speed up
Hand Signal-Slow Down Slow down
Hand Signal-Speed OK Speed OK
Hand Signal-Stop Stop
Hand Signal-Turn Left Turn left
Hand Signal-Turn Right Turn right
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Boating Basics
It's the Law!
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Online boating safety handbook last modified: April 22, 2008
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