Towing a water-skier, wakeboarder, kneeboarder or other towable device requires the use of a spotter. A spotter is a person who observes the person being towed at all times. The spotter notifies the driver if there is a need for a change in speed and/or direction as indicated by the skier’s hand signals. The spotter can also notify the driver in case of emergency.
Obey the following rules when towing a water-skier–it’s the law:
- A spotter must be in the boat at all times
- The towing vessel must be equipped with an extra seat for each person that is being towed in case an emergency recovery is necessary
- Only personal watercraft designed to carry three or more people can be used for towing a water-skier
- The person being towed must wear an approved flotation device (a ‘ski belt’ is not considered to be an approved flotation device)
- The towing vessel cannot be operated by remote control
- Do not tow water-skiers between one hour after sunset to sunrise
- It is a criminal offence, as governed by the Criminal Code of Canada, to tow a person after dark
Hand Signals
Both the spotter and the person being towed must understand and be able to communicate using these standardized hand signals:
- Speed OK
- Turn Left
- Turn Right
- Ok
- Retrieval
- Stop
- Slower
- Faster
- Back to dock
Also see educational requirements and operational rules for personal watercraft.
Title and Registration Numbers
Title and registration numbers are required.
Personal Flotation Devices
One US Coast Guard-approved wearable device is required for each person on board. PFDs MUST be properly worn by all occupants, including those being towed. Inflatable PFDs are not approved for use on personal watercraft.
Each wearable PFD must be in serviceable condition and of the appropriate size for the intended user. Wearable devices must also be approved for the activity taking place and used in accordance with the instructions on its label. Learn more about PFD fit and types.
Fire Extinguishers
One US Coast Guard-approved type B-1 marine-grade fire extinguisher is required. The fire extinguisher must be readily accessible. It also must be in condition for immediate and effective use at all times.
Learn more about fire extinguisher requirements and types.
Sound-Producing Device
One whistle, horn or other sound-producing device is required. The device must be capable of producing an efficient sound that can signal intentions and position in periods of reduced visibility.
Backfire Flame Arrestor
Backfire flame arrestors are required for gasoline engines installed in a vessel after April 25, 1940. An acceptable means of backfire flame control must be suitably attached to the air intake with a flame tight connection. The device must be US Coast Guard-approved or comply with SAE J-1928 or UL 1111 standards and be marked accordingly.
Exhaust Water Manifold
A motorboat must have an exhaust water manifold or a factory-type muffler installed on the engine.
Engine Cut-Off Switch Lanyard
An engine cut-off switch (ECOS) is an emergency switch installed on a PWC that is designed to shut off the engine. The PWC operator wears a lanyard attachment that will activate the ECOS if the operator falls overboard or moves beyond the length of the lanyard. The operator or passenger may also wear a wireless attachment that will activate the ECOS if the operator or passenger fall overboard and submerge the water-activated man-overboard wireless transmitter.
If a vessel is equipped, the cut-off switch, lanyard, or wireless device must be attached to operator, operator's clothing, or operator's PFD. It must be worn at all times by the operator when a PWC is underway. The operator must also verify that the ECOS system is fully functioning prior to operating the vessel on public water.
Texas law does not require the retrofitting of any vessel that has not come equipped with an ECOS. This does not allow for the removal of an ECOS from a vessel that was originally equipped.
Mirrors
A rearview mirror no less than four inches in width and height is required when towing a person.
A mirror is not required when towing a person if an observer is present who is:
- on board the PWC,
- not the operator of the PWC,
- 13 years of age or older, and
- acting in the capacity of an observer.
Towed Watersports
The PWC must have a minimum seating for two occupants to be legally used for towing of water skis, an aquaplane, a surfboard, a tube or any other similar devices.
Surfing, parasailing, kite-boarding – we love our water activities in Florida! But when it comes to jet skis, it is important to remember that they are considered a vessel, and as such there are rules that need to be adhered to. To keep everyone safe and compliant, here are the jet ski towing laws for Florida.
Jet ski operators may tow individual(s) on water skis, surfboards, inner tubes, or any similar devices, as long as they are acting safely and responsibly, following the following guidelines.
- All persons being towed behind a vessel must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved Type I, II, III, or V PFD. Please note that inflatable PFDs and ski belts are not approved PFDs for water-skiing.
- Every vessel towing any device with person(s) on-board are required to have a person other than the operator on-board, for the purpose of maintaining clear observation of the towed individual at all times. Alternatively, a wide-angle rear view ski mirror designed to allow the operator to observe the towed person at all times is acceptable. Caution, factory-installed mirrors on personal water craft may not adequately meet this requirement.
- When towing a parasail, when a rear view mirror is not acceptable and there must be a responsible person on the tow vessel watching the parasail at all times.
- Persons may be towed behind a vessel during the hours of one half-hour before sunrise to one half-hour after sunset only.
- Jet ski towing laws state that it is illegal to cause the person being towed to collide with any object or person. Therefore the operator is responsible for keeping the towed individual a reasonable distance from anyone in the water, another vessel, a bridge, pier, dock, buoy, platform or piling, or channel marker.
- A person must be at least 14 years of age to operate a personal watercraft in Florida, or 18 years old to rent one.
- Anyone born on or after January 1, 1988 is required to either have successfully completed a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) approved boating education course or have passed a course equivalency or temporary certificate examination. They must have their boating education ID card and a photo identification card in their possession when operating a personal water craft. (for more information on jet ski towing laws, visit the Florida Boating Regulation Website)
At Sign and Glide, we are committed to making sure that everyone is safe out on the water.