33
Operation
• Approach a skier in the water from the
downwind side and be certain to stop the
motion of the boat and your motor before
coming in close proximity to the skier.
• Give immediate attention to a fallen skier. A
fallen skier is very hard to see by other boats
and is extremely vulnerable. When a skier
falls, be prepared to immediately turn the boat
and return to the skier.
• Never leave a fallen skier alone in the water
for any reason and have an observer display
a skier down ag to alert other boaters that
your skier has fallen.
• Agree on hand signals to be used between the
observer and skier to communicate. This is
important to eliminate confusion and ensure
the safety of your skiers, wakeboarders or
tubers. Refer the Hand Signals drawing in this
section for signals that are commonly used
during water sports activities.
• Make sure the observer watches for the skier’s
signal to indicate he or she is OK. If the signal
is not seen immediately, assume the skier is
injured and in need of immediate assistance.
Be prepared to respond quickly.
• For additional information on water skiing,
including hand signals and water skiing
manuals, contact the American Water Skiing
Association in Winter Haven, Florida, 813-
324-4341.
MOVING PROPELLERS ARE DANGEROUS. THEY CAN CAUSE
DEATH, LOSS OF LIMBS OR OTHER SEVERE INJURY. DO
NOT USE THE SWIM PLATFORM OR SWIM LADDER WHILE
THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. STOP THE ENGINE IF DIVERS,
SWIMMERS OR SKIERS ARE ATTEMPTING TO BOARD. ALWAYS
PROPERLY STORE THE LADDER BEFORE STARTING THE
ENGINE.
Common Hand Signals for Water Sports Activities
2.13 Teak Surng
Teak Surng is a new and dangerous boating
fad that involves an individual holding on to the
swim platform of a vessel while a wake builds up
then lets go to body surf the wave created by the
boat; hence the term- “Teak Surng.” This activ-
ity puts that individual directly in the path of the
boat’s exhaust and poisonous carbon monoxide.
Because of the multiple dangers associated with
teak surng and the carbon monoxide problem
in particular, the Coast Guard has issued a safety
alert that strongly advises the public not to en-
gage in teak surng and warns that teak surng
may cause carbon monoxide poisoning and even
fatalities.
Teak surng not only exposes an individual to
potentially fatal concentrations of carbon mon-
oxide from the engine exhaust, it exposes them
unnecessarily and dangerously to the boat’s
propeller. The danger is compounded by the fact
that individuals do not usually wear a life jacket
when teak surng.
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