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Towing

Towing Skiers

• Every vessel towing a person(s) on water skis, aquaplane or other device must have on board, in addition to the operator, an observer at least 12 years old and in a position to observe the person(s) being towed. Boats equipped with a wide-angle convex marine rear-view mirror in a position to observe the skiers being towed are exempt from this requirement; however PWCs may not substitute a mirror for an observer (that is, a PWC must use an observer at least 12 years old).
• All persons being towed behind a motorboat or motorized device on water skis, aquaplane or other device must wear a USCG-approved personal flotation device.
• It is illegal for vessels to tow a person(s) on water skis, an aquaplane or other device between the hours from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise. This restriction does not apply to night water-skiing or aquaplaning on controlled areas designated for those purposes where adequate lighting is provided.
• It is illegal to operate or manipulate any towing vessel, tow rope or other device in such a way as to cause the towed device or towed person(s) to collide with or strike any object or person(s).
• If towing a person on skis or other device with a PWC, the PWC must be rated to carry at least three people - the operator, the observer and the skier.