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Course Outline

Observer with orange flag watching persons being towed

Operators towing a person(s) on water skis or a similar device have specific equipment and observer requirements.

  • Children 12 years old and younger being towed must wear a USCG–approved life jacket that is appropriately sized for the wearer and appropriate for the activity.
  • Boats towing a person(s) on water skis or a similar device must carry on board a red or orange skier-down flag and display it whenever the skier is in the water.
  • Every boat towing a person on water skis or a similar device must have a person, in addition to the operator, continuously observing the towed person.
  • If the towing boat is a PWC, the PWC must be rated for at least three people—the operator, the observer, and the retrieved skier.
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  • Topic 14 of 19
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