BOATING SAFETY
|
39
WATERSPORTS SAFETY CODE
Before you get in the water: Skiing or riding instruction is recommended before
use. Instruction will teach general safety guidelines and proper skiing or riding
techniques, which may reduce your risk of injury. For more information on skiing
or riding schools, contact your dealer, Association, or local ski club.
• Know the federal, state and local laws that apply to your area.
• If you are not familiar with a waterway, ask someone who is, to tell you
about any hidden dangers or things to avoid.
• Whether you plan to be in a watercraft, or skiing/riding behind one it is
important you are wearing a properly fitted life jacket (PFD) approved by
your country’s agency, USCG Type III, ISO, etc.
• Inspect all equipment prior to each use, check bindings, fins, tube,
attachment, tow rope and flotation device. Do not use if damaged.
Watercraft Safety: A knowledgeable and responsible driver is the most
important safety device on any watercraft.
• Never operate a watercraft, ski or ride under the influence
of alcohol or drugs.
• Only use water ballast and people for additional weight.
• Never exceed the passenger or weight limitations of the watercraft.
• Never allow passengers to hang outside the watercraft or towed device or
sit on the gunwales or anywhere outside of the normal seating area.
• Never allow water to overflow the bow or gunwales of the watercraft.
• Uneven weight distribution or additional weight may affect the handling
of the watercraft.
Carbon Monoxide: The exhaust from the engine on a watercraft contains Carbon
Monoxide (CO) which is a colorless, odorless and poisonous gas. Excessive expo-
sure to CO can cause severe injury or death. Follow this advice to avoid injury.
• Never “Platform Drag” by holding onto the boarding platform or be
dragged directly behind the watercraft. This is where CO will be.
• Do not sit on the watercraft transom or boarding platform while
the engine is running.
• Make sure the engine is properly tuned and running well. An improperly
tuned engine produces excessive exhaust and CO.
• If you smell engine exhaust do not stay in that position.
• Go to the United States Coast Guard’s website: www.uscgboating.org for
more information on how to help protect yourself and others from the
dangers of CO.
Tow Ropes: Tow ropes come in different lengths and strengths for different activ-
ities. Make sure any rope you are using is suited for skiing or riding and that it is in
good condition.
• Never use a rope that is frayed, knotted, unraveling or discolored from use
or being left in the sun. If a rope breaks while in use it can recoil at the skier/
rider being towed or into the watercraft where it might strike passengers.
Replace tow ropes with any sign of damage.
• Never use a tow rope with elastic or bungee material to pull skiers or riders.
• Rope should be attached to the watercraft in an approved fashion with
hardware designed for towing. Refer to your watercraft manual for
instructions on proper tow rope attachment.
• Always keep people and tow ropes away from the propeller, even when idling.
• If a tow rope should become entangled in a propeller, shut off engine,
remove the key and put it in your pocket before retrieving the rope. Tow
ropes should be neatly stowed in the boat when not in use.
Preparing to ski or ride: It is recommended and in some states required that
you have a person other than the driver as an observer to look out for the
skier/rider. Be sure the driver is aware of the experience and ability level of
the skier/rider.
• The driver, observer and skier/rider need to agree on hand signals before
skiing or riding. Signals should include READY, STOP, SPEED UP, and SLOW
DOWN.
• Start the engine only after making sure that no one in the water is near
the propeller.
To Next Page
Loading...