It's the Law: Specifically for Skiing

• Towing Requirements
• Hand Signals for Skiers

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

Requirements for Towing Skiers

• It is illegal for vessels to tow persons on water skis, surfboards, or any device of this type between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise.
• Every vessel towing a person(s) on water skis, a surfboard, or a similar device must have an observer, in addition to the vessel operator, who is 12 years of age or older and in position to observe the skier(s).
• Each person being towed behind a vessel on water skis, a surfboard, or other device must wear a U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jacket.
• A reasonable distance from other vessels, people, and property must be maintained while towing so as not to endanger life or property. It is illegal to cause the towed device or person being towed to collide with any object or person.

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