It's the Law: Specifically for Skiing

• Requirements for Towing
• Hand Signals for Skiers

Vessel operators towing a person(s) on water skis, surfboard, or any other device have additional laws.

Requirements for Towing Skiers
(66-12-11 NMSA 1978; 66-12-14 NMSA 1978; BAR 18.17.2 NMAC 9.A; BAR 18.17.2 NMAC 11.I; BAR 18.17.2 NMAC 13)

• It is illegal to tow a person(s) between one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise.
• All persons being towed must wear a U.S. Coast Guard–approved Type I, II, or III PFD.
• It is illegal to tow a person(s):
  • Within 150 feet of any public dock (other than a ski dock), mooring line, launching ramp, boat, fisherman, swimmer, or any person not also engaged in the same activity.
  • On a device other than a parasail such that the person becomes airborne
• The person operating the towing vessel must not operate the vessel in a manner that would cause the person or object being towed to collide with any other object or person.
• The vessel operator, water-skier, or person riding on the object being towed:
  • Must not manipulate the object so as to endanger the life, limb, or property of any person.
  • Must not be intoxicated due to alcohol or under the influence of any narcotic drug, barbiturate, or marijuana.
• Every motorboat (other than a PWC) towing a person(s) on water skis or a similar device must have:
  • An observer, in addition to the vessel operator, on board or…
  • A device, such as a wide-angle rearview mirror, that gives the operator an unobstructed view of the person or object being towed.
• Every PWC towing a person(s) on water skis or a similar device must have:
  • Manufacturer-approved seating for at least three people with a vacant seat for the skier and ...
  • An observer on board, in addition to the operator.
• Vessels towing a person(s) on water skis or similar device must carry on board a bright red or orange skier-down flag. The flag must be displayed whenever the towed person(s) is in the water and must be visible in all directions.

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