It's the Law: Delaware Boating Regulations

BR-5. Water Skiing

Section 1. Water Skiing.

(a) No person shall operate a vessel on any waters of this State for purposes of towing a person on water skis unless there is in such vessel a competent person, in addition to the operator, in a position to observe the progress of the person being towed. The observer shall be considered competent if he/she can, in fact, observe the person being towed and relay any signals from the person being towed to the operator. This subsection shall not apply to Class A vessels operated by the person being towed and designed to be incapable of carrying the operator in or on the vessel.

(b) No person shall engage in water skiing unless such person is wearing a Type I, Type II, Type III, or Type V PFD. This provision shall not apply to a performer engaged in a professional exhibition or a person preparing to participate or participating in an official regatta, boat race, marine parade, tournament, or exhibition.

(c) No person shall engage in water skiing and no person shall operate a vessel towing a person so engaged on any waters of this State with a tow line that exceeds 75 feet.

(d) No person shall engage in water skiing and no person shall operate a vessel towing a person so engaged on any waters of this State on which water skiing is prohibited.

(e) No person shall engage in water skiing and no person shall operate a vessel towing a person so engaged between sunset and sunrise.

(f) The operator of a vessel towing a water skier shall comply with all laws and regulations as they pertain to the individual’s class of vessel and shall maneuver the vessel in a careful and prudent manner, so as not to interfere with other vessels or obstruct any channel or normal shipping lane, and maintain reasonable distance from persons and property, so as not to endanger the life or property of any person.

(g) No person shall engage in water skiing in such a manner as to strike or threaten to strike any person, vessel, or property, and no person shall operate a vessel or manipulate a tow line or other towing device in such a manner as to cause a water skier to strike or threaten to strike another person, vessel, or property.

(h) No person shall engage in water skiing and no person shall operate a vessel towing a person so engaged within one hundred (100) feet of any person in the water, a pier, dock, float, wharf, or vessel anchored or adrift, or in any direction of boat launching ramps, both public and private.

Hand Signals for Skiers

Knowing proper hand signals will help the skier(s) communicate with their boat operator or the observer.

Back to dock	Skier OK	Skier down—watch!
Speed up	Slow down	Speed OK
Turn left	Turn right	Stop

Section 2. Prohibited Water Skiing Areas.

Water skiing shall be prohibited in the following areas:

1. The Rehoboth-Lewes Canal, in its entirety;
2. The channel through Masseys Landing from Buoy No. 12 off Bluff Point to Buoy No. 19A;
3. The Assawoman Canal, in its entirety;
4. The Indian River Inlet between Buoy No. 1 and the Coast Guard Station;
5. Roosevelt Inlet from 100 yards off jetty entrance to the Canal;
6. White Creek south of Marker No. 9A; and
7. Any marked swimming areas, unless authorized by a special permit issued by the Department.