Towing a Person With a Vessel Legally

Vessel operators towing a person(s) on water skis, aquaplanes, surfboards, inner tubes or any similar devices must obey these laws also.

• A person may not be towed behind a vessel from sunset to sunrise.
• When a vessel is towing a person on water skis, surfboards, or similar devices, the operator must have another competent person on board to act as an observer or the vessel must be equipped with a wide-angle rearview mirror.
• A PWC operator may not tow a person on water skis or other devices unless:
  • The PWC is designed and recommended by the manufacturer to accommodate at least three people and…
  • A competent observer is on board and in a position to observe the person being towed.
• Those towing skiers on water skis, surfboards, or similar devices and those being towed must act in a safe and prudent manner.
  • Vessels towing persons may not come within 100 feet of any occupied anchored boat, any PWC, or any marked swimming area or public boat landing.
  • Persons being towed behind a vessel on water skis, a surfboard, or other device, or their towing rope, may not come within 100 feet of a PWC.
  • It is illegal to operate the vessel or manipulate the towing rope, water skis, or other devices such that the towed device or person collides with any other person or object.