A boat is towing a person on water skis. what piece of equipment must be carried on board and used?

It is illegal for boats or PWC to tow skiers, skiboards, or any device of this type between sunset and sunrise.

It is illegal for the operator of the towing vessel or person(s) being towed to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

A boat or PWC must not tow persons on water skis or similar devices within 100 feet of a non-moving boat, dock or pier, bridge, person in the water, shoreline adjacent to a residence, public park or beach, swimming area, marina, restaurant or other public use area.

The person being towed must wear a ski-belt, ski jacket or Type I, Type II or Type III personal flotation device.

Every boat towing a person(s) on water skis, or a similar device must have:

A person, in addition to the boat operator, capable of observing the towed person(s) at all times
OR
A wide-angle rearview mirror mounted such that the operator can observe the towed person(s) at all times

Every PWC towing a person(s) on water skis, or similar device must be rated by the manufacturer to carry three or more persons and must have onboard a person, in addition to the PWC operator, capable of observing the towed person(s) at all times. A wide-angle mirror may not be used in place of an observer on PWC.

Hand Signals For Skiers

Knowing proper hand signals will help the skier(s) communicate with their boat operator or the observer.

Vessel operators (including PWC operators) towing a person(s) on water skis, aquaplanes, surfboards, inner tubes, or any similar devices have specific equipment and observer requirements.

Each person being towed behind a vessel on water skis or any other device must wear a USCG–approved Type I, II, III, or V PFD.
- Inflatable PFDs are not approved for use by persons being towed.
- This law does not apply to persons participating in a permitted marine event, such as barefoot or trick water-skiing. An approved PFD must be on board the vessel for each of these skiers.
A vessel towing a person(s) on water skis or any other device must have at least two competent persons on board—one to operate the vessel and a second person to observe the towed person(s).
- This law does not apply to vessels that are operated by a person at least 16 years old and that are equipped with a wide-angle, convex rearview mirror, at least 7 x 14 inches in size, which is positioned to allow the operator to observe the person(s) being towed.
- This law does not apply to vessels engaged in authorized water-skiing tournaments or competitions.
If towing a skier with a PWC and an observer is on board, the PWC must be rated for at least three people—the operator, the observer, and the skier.

If towing a skier with a PWC, all the same laws apply. Remember, do not exceed the carrying capacity of the PWC.

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Vessel operators (including PWC operators) towing a person(s) on water skis, aquaplanes, surfboards, inner tubes, or any similar devices must do so safely and responsibly.

It is illegal to tow a person(s) on water skis, a surfboard, or similar device between the hours of one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise.
The operator of the towing vessel and the skier must operate in a safe manner. A reasonable distance from other vessels, people, and property must be maintained so as not to endanger the life or property of others.