Laws and Safety Equipment

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WATER SKIING

THE SKI FLAG

A red or orange flag measuring no less than 12 inches on each side, in the shape of a square or rectangle, mounted or displayed in such a manner as to be visible from every direction shall be known as a ski flag.

• The use of this flag will not be construed as conferring any rights or privileges on its users, and its display will not be construed in itself as restricting the use of the water in the vicinity of the vessel displaying the flag.
• Operators of vessels will, however, exercise precaution commensurate with conditions indicated.
• The ski flag shall be displayed when one or more of the following conditions exists.
• A downed skier
• A skier in the water preparing to ski.
• A ski line extended from the vessel.
• A ski in the water in the vicinity of the vessel. The ski flag shall not be displayed at any other time.

OBSERVER

No person shall operate a vessel on any waters for towing a person or persons on water skis, an aquaplane, or a similar device unless there is in the vessel a person at least 12 years of age, in addition to the operator, in a position to observe the progress of the persons being towed.

• No person shall operate a vessel on any waters of this state towing a person or persons on water skis, an aquaplane, or a similar device nor shall any person engage in water skiing, aquaplaning, or other similar activity at any time between the hours from sunset to sunrise, except that those hours do not apply to those waters of this state as to which prohibited hours for those activities are fixed by local ordinances, laws, or regulations enacted pursuant to this chapter.
• No person shall operate or manipulate any vessel, towrope, or other device by which the direction or location of water skis, an aquaplane, or a similar device may be affected or controlled so as to cause the water skis, aquaplane, or similar device, or any person thereon, to collide with, or strike against, any object or person. This does not apply to collisions of two or more persons on water skis, aquaplanes, or similar devices being towed by the same vessel.
• Does not apply to motorboats less than 16 feet in length actually operated by the person or persons being towed and so constructed as to be incapable of carrying the operator in or on the motorboat.

No person shall operate water skis, an aquaplane, or a similar device so as to endanger the life, limb, or property of any person.