need interpretation of boating law

[milkmania]

from Oklahoma Boating Handbook
http://www.boat-ed.com/ok/handbook/

I'm seeing this as I do not need an observer in Oklahoma... I have the wide angle convex mirror

Especially For Skiers: Towing and Hand Signals
Requirements for Towing Skiers

* Water skiing is allowed with any watercraft which is designed to accommodate two or more people.
* Each person being towed must wear a U. S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device.
* It is illegal for a boat or PWC to tow a person(s) on water skis, a surfboard, parasail or a similar device unless:
* A person at least 8 years old, in addition to the boat operator, is onboard observing the towed person(s)
or...
* The boat has a wide-angle, convex rearview mirror or mirrors mounted such that the operator can face in the direction of travel and be in a position to observe the towed person(s) at all times.
* It is illegal for boats or PWC to tow skiers, surfboards, parasails or any device of this type between sunset and sunrise.
* Boats and PWC towing water skiers or participating in a similar activity must operate in a careful and prudent manner.
* A reasonable distance from other boats, people and property must be maintained so as not to endanger life or property. It is illegal to cause the person being towed to collide with any object or person.




I know I can verify this through Lake Patrol, but is this how you guys interpret this?

[jimmer2880]

absolutely! Be sure to get an "official copy" from them & keep it in the boat. I've had to argue boating laws with the local river police before. I won because I had the documentation to prove it.

[Leroy]

You are right Milk, wish Indiana was like that.




IC 14-15-3-20
Towing of persons or objects
Sec. 20. A person operating a motorboat may not tow a water ski, a watersled, an aquaplane, or a similar object, including a person on the waterski, watersled, aquaplane, or similar object, unless:
(1) the motorboat is occupied by at least one (1) other person who is giving the person's entire attention to watching the object or person towed; and
(2) the person operating the boat is giving the person's entire attention to the operation of the boat.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.8.


IC 14-15-12-7
Restrictions on water activities
Sec. 7. A personal watercraft shall not be used on public waters to tow individuals engaged in waterskiing, aquaplaning, or similar activities, unless:
(1) the personal watercraft is at least nine (9) feet long;
(2) the personal watercraft is designed to seat at least three (3) individuals; and
(3) an individual other than the operator of the personal watercraft is aboard the personal watercraft, acting as an


observer.
As added by P.L.57-1995, SEC.9. Amended by P.L.28-1998, SEC.1.

[bigmac]

* [/color]A person at least 8 years old, in addition to the boat operator, is onboard observing the towed person(s)
or...
*[b] The boat has a wide-angle, convex rearview mirror or mirrors mounted such that the operator can face in the direction of travel and be in a position to observe the towed person(s) at all times.


I know I can verify this through Lake Patrol, but is this how you guys interpret this?

Minnesota's law is the same.

"It is unlawful to tow a person on water skis,
aquaplane, surfboard, saucer, or similar device unless
there is a mirror providing the operator a wide
field of vision to the rear, or unless another person
in the towing watercraft is continuously watching
the person being towed."

Both the Sheriff's Water Patrol and the DNR patrol our lake and it's never been a problem. They do pull a lot of people over to check up on life jackets, throwable float, and fire extinguisher, but if a boat with skier has a current registration sticker and a visible mirror, they basically leave them alone.

[shepherd]

It is illegal to cause the person being towed to collide with any object or person.


Well, I'm glad they have that one. In my state, I think it's called "attempted murder." :eek:

I agree that you don't need an observer if that is actually how the law reads (meaning that word "or" is in there). I like jimmer's idea of keeping a printed version on the boat for those rare cops who need educating.

[Diesel]

You do not need an observer in OK as long as you meet the mirror/vehicle requirement. It has always been this way in OK and I have never been stopped. AR has the same law as well and have never been stopped there either. Often times it is just my wife and I and we have skied many an hours just the two of us.

On a side note, I always keep a copy of the local boating laws in my glove box for reference. I have had to whip it out on a few occasions to have a lake patrol point me to a specific violation he claimed I committed. A few times they were unable and a few times they were able to show me exactly and I had missed it our did to interpret it right. Anyway, if you do have the law book in your glove box you immediately show the officer you care enough to read up and respect the local boating laws. Over the course of a summer I regularly travel to 4-5 different states and the laws are all different and they change quite frequently.

[wiltok]

Anyone here from Michigan and want to join me in lobbying the state to change the rules? My life would be so much easier if it was an observer OR a mirror...

Anyone one know how many states have the mirror or observer option?

[Ric]

Don't pull a skier under a bridge in TX, don't ask me how I know.

[Ric]

Are our ski mirrors considered "wide view" because they don't seem to be "convex" ?

[JEREMY79]

Kentucky

....Skiers who ski too close to other boats, docks and obstructions
are showing poor judgement. Many of the complaints officers
receive while patrolling the water are those about skiers
skiing too close.
Persons being towed on any device must wear a Type I, II or III
PFD. Boats (including personal watercraft) towing skiers must
have, in addition to the operator of the boat, an observer 12
years of age or older or a wide angle rearview mirror mounted
so that the operator can check on the skier but still give full
attention to traffic ahead. There must be adequate seating for
all riders.

My fiance and I have boarded many hours just the two of us and have never had a problem.

[Maristar210]

Don't pull a skier under a bridge in TX, don't ask me how I know.


We do that here http://maps.google.com/maps?q=49546&ll=42.888212,-85.486218&spn=0.003674,0.007318&t=k&hl=en

and we give it the old trucker pump to the semi's going by. Pretty fun really.

Steve

[east tx skier]

Don't pull a skier under a bridge in TX, don't ask me how I know.

Ric, does that fall under "reckless activity or something." We pulled my father in law under a bridge about a month ago. I prefer not to, but he didn't drop.

As for the mirror, I believe they are convex. But in Texas, the only requirement is a 4"x4" mirror. You're running a 7"x14", so you're covered.

[Ric]

Ric, does that fall under "reckless activity or something." We pulled my father in law under a bridge about a month ago. I prefer not to, but he didn't drop.

As for the mirror, I believe they are convex. But in Texas, the only requirement is a 4"x4" mirror. You're running a 7"x14", so you're covered.
well I dont remember the charge but when I was quite younger one of our buddies skiid under a bridge. he AND the driver each got tickets. :eek: