BOATING SAFETY
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• The operator should look ahead before starting.
• Start from a safe place with good forward and peripheral visibility.
• The operator should check direction of the rudder before starting (in gear,
slowly making sure the boat goes straight).
• The operator should be primarily aware of what is occurring in front of the
boat, but be aware of skier/rider’s progress.
• DO NOT “back up” to anyone in the water.
• DO NOT follow directly behind another boat or skier/rider without leaving an
adequate safe distance.
• Look before you turn the boat to pick up a fallen skier/rider.
• Give immediate assistance to anyone who falls as they are vulnerable and
may not be seen by other boaters.
• The operator should always keep the skier/rider in view when the skier/
rider is entering or exiting the boat.
• The operator should never retrieve or pick up an article from the water
while the engine is running. The engine MUST be shut OFF.
• Have ship to shore communication devices if operating at a significant
distance off shore.
• When approaching a skier/rider, always turn the engine off before allowing
the skier/rider to come onboard. This will help keep a propeller that is
rotating under engine power from injuring the skier/rider.
• Be sure to approach a downed skier/rider on the operator’s side, keeping
the skier/rider in view.
• Display a skier/rider down flag where required whenever the skier/rider is
in the water and not skiing.
• Be sure to follow the approved towing pattern on each lake or waterway.
• Never climb, sit or stand on a wakeboard tower. The wakeboard tower is
intended for towing only as noted. Do not tow more than two (2) persons at
one time off a wakeboard tower. The wakeboard tower approved for use on
your boat should be used only for water skis, wakeboards or recreational
towables, and not for parasailing, kite flying or towing other boats.
• Maintain a distance of at least 100 feet from all other objects, including
other boats, piers, rafts, mooring and navigational buoys, pilings, abutments or
any other obstacles.
• NEVER lift or trailer the boat with water in the bilge or in ballast tanks, lift or
trailer per manufacturer’s instructions.
GENERAL WATERSPORT PRECAUTIONS FOR
TOWED SKIER/RIDER
• Always inspect watersports equipment for wear, fraying, etc., before use.
DO NOT use if they show signs of wear or fraying.
• Be sure to wear wet suits or protective shorts when engaging in high
energy skiing/riding to prevent abrasions, hypothermia and injuries to
orifices (rectal and vaginal) from impact with the water surface.
• Every skier/rider should always wear a USCG-approved Type III personal
flotation device (lifejacket).
• NEVER attach ski/wakeboard rope to anything but approved pylons and
wakeboard towers.
• Be sure to inspect the tow point before use and make sure it is seated
correctly, if removable. If there is any evidence of corrosion or other
damage, do not use until it has been inspected by your boat dealer.
• The skier/rider should indicate he/she is clear of the boat prior to starting
the boat or putting the boat into gear and tightening the rope.
• Never put your arm, head or any other part of your body through the
handle/bridle of the ski or wakeboarding line, nor wrap the line around
any part of the body at any time.
• DO NOT ski near swimming areas, beaches or personal watercraft.
• DO NOT jump from a boat that is moving at any speed, nor enter or exit the
water when the engine is running.
• DO NOT ski at night or directly in front of other boats.
• DO NOT ski with multiple skier/riders with different length ropes.
• DO NOT ski in limited visibility conditions.
• DO NOT approach the boat or the rear of the boat while the engine
is running.
• When in the water around docks where electrical current is present exercise
caution to avoid electrocution.
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