1-61
Boating Safety
Operators should:
• Assign a passenger to be a designated observer.
• Turn the engine off whenever a person is on the swim
platform or in the water near the boat. This is especially
important for the area near the back of the boat to avoid
propeller injuries.
• Ensure that it is “all clear” behind the boat when starting the
engine. Ask for verbal confirmation or hand signals that it is
“all clear” behind the boat. Then, and only then, start the
engine.
• Keep their main focus on maneuvering the boat safely while
avoiding other boats, fixed objects, the shore, and shallow
water.
• Use rear view mirrors to allow the driver to glance at the
towed person, while still keeping their main attention on the
path of the boat and the surroundings.
• Return safely to pick up towed persons or persons in the
water. Keep the individual in view, approach slowly
(preferably on the driver’s side), and shut off the engine
when close to an individual in the water. Do not back up or
operate the boat in reverse to a person in the water.
Observers should:
• Confirm for the boat operator that it is “all clear” behind the
boat prior to starting the engine.
• Watch the towed person.
• Be responsible for communication of the signals and status
of the towed person to the boat driver.
• Notify the boat operator of status and changing conditions
with the towed person, and inform the boat driver of the
towed person’s readiness to start, their desire to go faster or
slower, or that they have fallen and are in need of retrieval.
• Deploy the fallen skier flag when the towed person falls, if
needed. In some states, it is required to raise the “fallen
skier” flag when the skier has fallen.
To Next Page
Loading...
