Requirements to Tow a Person With a Vessel

Vessel operators towing a person(s) on water skis, aquaplanes, tubes, kneeboards, or similar devices have specific observer and equipment requirements.

• No one under 12 years of age may legally operate a vessel towing a person(s) on water skis, an aquaplane, a parasail, or similar device.
• Every vessel towing a person(s) on water skis, an aquaplane, or other device must have on board, in addition to the operator, an observer at least 12 years of age in a position to observe the person being towed. On a PWC, the observer must be facing the rear of the PWC.
• All persons being towed behind a vessel on water skis, an aquaplane, or other device must wear a USCG–approved PFD.
• Ski ropes may not be more than 75 feet in length, except when barefoot skiing in which case a ski rope of 100 feet in length may be used.
• A PWC may not be used to tow a person on water skis, an aquaplane, or similar device unless the PWC has the capacity to carry at least three persons (the operator, a rear-facing observer, and the skier) and the PWC is designed specifically for water-skiing by the manufacturer.