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Course Outline

Vessel operators towing a person(s) on water skis, aquaplanes, surfboards, inner tubes or any similar devices must obey these laws also.

  • A person may not be towed behind a vessel from sunset to sunrise.
  • When a vessel is towing a person on water skis, surfboards, or similar devices, the operator must have another competent person on board to act as an observer or the vessel must be equipped with a wide-angle rearview mirror.
  • A PWC operator may not tow a person on water skis or other devices unless:
    • The PWC is designed and recommended by the manufacturer to accommodate at least three people and…
    • A competent observer is on board and in a position to observe the person being towed.
  • Those towing skiers on water skis, surfboards, or similar devices and those being towed must act in a safe and prudent manner.
    • Vessels towing persons may not come within 100 feet of any occupied anchored boat, any PWC, or any marked swimming area or public boat landing.
    • Persons being towed behind a vessel on water skis, a surfboard, or other device, or their towing rope, may not come within 100 feet of a PWC.
    • It is illegal to operate the vessel or manipulate the towing rope, water skis, or other devices such that the towed device or person collides with any other person or object.
PWC (with observer) towing a wakeboarder
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