A Course for Safe Boating

California Boating

A Course for Safe Boating

Chapter 3

Vessel Operation

WATER SKIING

Water skiing, a popular sport for powerboat owners, requires extra

precautions. Ski boat operators must travel at high speeds and make tight

turns, frequent stops and sudden starts. And skiers are always in the water.

At the very least, a water ski team must consist of a boat operator, an observer

and a skier.

People enjoying other activities while being towed by a boat must follow the

same rules and guidelines for water skiing. Some of these activities include

wakeboarding, knee boarding and tubing.

Equipment

Check

to see that any person being towed behind the vessel is wearing a

Coast Guard-approved life jacket appropriate for the intended use stated on

the label. Exceptions: the law does not apply to performers engaged in pro-

fessional exhibitions, official regattas, marine parades, or tournaments. Any

person engaged in slalom skiing on a marked course, or barefoot, jump, or

trick water skiing, may instead wear a wetsuit designed for the activity and

labeled by the manufacturer as a water ski wetsuit. A Coast Guard-approved

life jacket appropriate for the intended use stated on the label must still be

carried on board for each skier choosing to wear a wetsuit.

Note: Inflatable life jackets are not approved for use while water skiing.

Check

to see if a ski flag is on board. The flag must be orange or red and at

least 12 inches square or rectangular. You must use this flag to warn other

boats about gear or skiers in the water.

Safety Rules

Check

to see that at least three people are present when water skiing—

the boat operator, the observer and the skier.

Check

to see that you are water skiing at legal times. Remember, water

skiing is not allowed from sunset to sunrise.

Check

to see that water skiers know the correct hand signals.

Check

to see that the boat operator is at least 16 years old, if unsupervised.

Check

to see that the observer is at least 12 years old.

Check

that the ski area is not crowded.

Towline Safety

Water skis and aquaplanes must not be operated in a manner to endanger the

safety of people or property. Passing the towline over another vessel or skier

and towing a skier or navigating between a vessel and its tow are prohibited.

Towing a skier does not give the vessel operator any special privileges. You

must observe the rules of the road.

WATER SKIING HAND SIGNALS

Back to

Dock

Right Turn

Speed OK

Slow Down

Left Turn

Stop

Speed Up

Skier OK

Skier in Water