(2) operate a motor vehicle in the waters of that State at a speed that causes dangerous washing or overtaking of approaching or passing ships, including, but not limited to, a wake resulting in the absorption of water by other ships, or a wake sufficient to throw the occupants of other ships in a manner that causes injury or risk of injury; The driver must look forward. In that split second, when he turns around to look back, dangerous situations arise. Hunt emphasizes the separate and distinct tasks of observer and driver. “If you have multiple boats skiing in the same area or pipes in the same area, there is a risk that someone will be affected. (5) Operates a vessel on all waters of that state to tow one or more persons on water skis or aquaplanes, personal watercraft or similar equipment, unless, in addition to the operator, there is a person twelve (12) years of age or older on board the vessel capable of observing the progress of the person or persons being towed. However, if the tug is equipped with a convex wide-angle rear-view mirror capable of observing towed skiers, the requirement of this subsection (5) does not apply; (b) No person shall operate a personal watercraft towing another person on water skis or other aircraft unless the total number of persons on duty is observed and towed does not exceed the number of passengers specified by the manufacturer as the maximum safe load on board the ship. 8. Load any ship operating in the waters of that State with passengers or cargo exceeding its safe carrying capacity specified on the builder`s capacity plate or propel a ship with an outboard engine exceeding the maximum power specified by the manufacturer. In addition, it is prohibited to load a vessel without a capacity plate in a manner that is dangerous or results in the sinking or capsizing of the vessel; • Anyone towed behind a personal watercraft must have a Type I, II or II lifeguard authorized by the U.S. Coast Guard at all times.
Inflatable life jackets don`t count. (Take a look at a previous column that better explains the different types.) There is no minimum age in Michigan to be pulled behind a boat, Hunt says. He asks boaters to use common sense to determine when someone is ready. (1) operating a motorboat or vessel or knowingly or negligently trafficking water skis, floatplanes, personal watercraft or similar equipment that endangers the life, limb or property of a person, including, but not limited to, weaving through congested vessel traffic travelling within one hundred feet (100 ft.) of a tug en route, skipping the wake of another vessel too close to that other vessel, or visibility around that other vessel is obstructed and swerving at the last moment to avoid collision constitutes reckless conduct by a vessel; Hunt recognizes that a certain speed is required to move a person on water skis behind a boat. Still, he says, keep an eye on others on the water. • It is illegal to pull someone behind a boat between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise. This period is from sunset until 8 a.m. to shoot behind a boat. (10) If you own or control a motorboat of ten horsepower (10 hp) or more, a person under twelve (12) years of age may operate the motorboat of ten horsepower (10 hp) or more, except under the visible and acoustic direct supervision of a parent, guardian or other person over seventeen (17) years of age; (a) No person shall operate a personal watercraft towed by another person on water skis or any other device unless the power-driven vessel has an observer on board in addition to the operator to monitor the progress of the person being towed.
(7) operate a motorboat or a boat or alter water skiing, aquaplane or similar equipment while intoxicated or under the influence of narcotics, barbiturates or marijuana or be in such a state of physical or mental incapacity that he is unable to operate the motorboat or boat safely in the current circumstances; (3) Operates a motorboat on the waters of that state within one hundred feet (100 ft.) of a recreational area, wharf, wharf, raft, float, anchored vessel, causeway, entrance structure or other designated obstacle at a speed greater than five miles per hour (5 mph), unless an opposing speed limit has been set in the designated area. However, under no circumstances may a motor vehicle be driven in a manner or at a speed exceeding the safe and reasonable limits in the circumstances; Those who wait for the boat to take off, he says, and try to sort things out above the sound of an engine are often the ones in trouble. “There`s no speed limit in the law that says you have to maintain a certain speed when towing,” Hunt said, adding that every boat on an inland lake must adhere to a 55-mile-per-hour speed limit that applies to all vessels. “(Boaters) have to consider the conditions around them — vessel traffic and floating traffic, general traffic on the waters,” Hunt said. Welcome to another issue of Let`s Talk Boating, a weekly column dedicated to addressing your water and boating safety concerns. Do you have a question you`d like an answer to? Please keep in touch and write me a message at hfenton@mlive.com (D) operation in a way that results in a collision with another ship or object. But since we`re on the water this summer, it`s also important to consider the safety aspect when moving behind a boat – whether it`s on a wakeboard, skis, or an inflatable tube. (4) use or manipulate any vessel, tow rope or other device likely to influence or control the direction or position of water skis, aquaplanes or similar devices in such a way that water skis, aquagliders or similar devices, or any person therein, collide with or strike one or more persons; (6) If a vessel is sailing in the waters of this State that a person is pulling on water skis or an aquaplane or similar apparatus, it shall also not engage in water skiing, hydroplaning or similar activities at any time between half (1/2) hour after sunset and half (1/2) hour before sunrise. However, the provisions of this subsection (6) do not apply to night water skiing or aquaplaning in controlled areas designated for those purposes and intended for adequate lighting; The person acting as an observer should not only be stationed at the back of the boat, but must ensure that they are only occupied with this responsibility, Hunt says. 9.
When a powercraft twenty-six feet (26 feet) or less in length is used, any person shall be permitted to navigate or sit on the guns or on the deck above the bow of the ship during navigation, unless the ship is provided with appropriate guardrails or guardrails to prevent passengers from being lost overboard. However, this restriction does not apply to persons occupying the guns or the deck above the bow for necessary purposes such as mooring or disembarking; First, take a look at what Michigan Boater`s Safety Handbook has to say about state laws for towing other people behind a ship. Hunt stresses the importance of identifying useful hand signals for a boatman and a person towed behind them, and making these decisions before taking off on the water. (c) non-compliance with inland navigation regulations by the United States Coast Guard; or I contacted Allegan Sheriff Sergeant Cory Hunt this week for some more tips on safe water sports practices. (11) operate a boat or handle with gross negligence water skiing, aquagliding, personal watercraft or similar equipment causing serious injury or death to any person; or “When you`re distracted, bad things can happen,” he says. “This observer is there to watch who is being towed.” This week, let`s take a look at how to keep your water skiing/tubing/wakeboarding experience safe. (12) Is intended to operate a ship in the waters of that State in a negligent manner, including, but not limited to: • Those being towed must remain at least 100 feet away from a wharf or raft, a moored or anchored ship and the shore (if navigating in waters less than 3 feet deep).