Figure 3
Sailboats and watercraft under oars:
Sailboats less than 20 meters (65.62
feet) may exhibit the navigation lights
shown in Figures 3 or 4.
Figure 4
Figure 5
Another option for sailboats is to use a single
combination lantern at the top of the mast as shown
in Figure 5.
Figure 6
Sailboats less than 7 meters (22.96 feet)
may carry an electric torch or lighted
lantern showing a white light to be
displayed in sufficient time to prevent
collision (see Figure 6). If practicable
the lights prescribed for sailboats less
than 20 meters should be displayed.
Watercraft under oars (such as a canoe)
may display the lights prescribed for sailboats, but if not, must have
ready at hand an electric torch or lighted lantern (flashlight) showing
a white light to be displayed in sufficient time to prevent collision (see
Figure 6).
Figure 7
Anchored boats: Motorboats and
sailboats at anchor must display
anchor lights. An anchor light for a
watercraft less than 50 meters (164
feet) in length is an all-around white
light, visible for 2 miles exhibited
where it can best be seen (see Figure
7).
Sailboats operating under machinery, or under sail and machinery,
are considered power driven and must display the lights prescribed
for a power-driven boat.
Safety—19
WATERSPORTS SAFETY
Skiers or riders are obligated to be aware of the same
fundamental safety rules as boat operators. If you are new to water
skiing, wakeboarding, wake surfing, and other towed watersports,
seek certified training before starting. You will find it especially
helpful to join a local ski club, World Wakeboard Association, and/or
USA Water Ski, when possible.
Always remember that the majority of injuries occurring while
water skiing/wakeboarding and other towed watersports are the
result of impacts with other objects. Always look where you are
going and be aware of what is going on around you.
When participating in towing watersports, be safe and courteous
and follow these guidelines:
• Be considerate to fishermen and others who are sharing the
same body of water.
•
DO NOT
perform watersports in congested areas.
• Stay away from navigation markers.
• Stay away from other boats and watersports participants.
Contact with a spinning propeller can
cause injury and death. Do not enter
or exit the water when the engine
is running (ON) and the propeller
spinning. Do not get on the swim platform when the engine is
running. Do not swim towards the back of the boat if the engine
is on.
Failure to adhere to these warnings
may result in severe injury or death to
you and/or others.
• Every towed person must always wear a USCG-approved personal
flotation device.
• Always have an experienced driver and a designated observer in
the boat while being towed.
• Maintain a distance of at least 100 feet from all other objects,
including other boats, piers, rafts, mooring and navigational
buoys, pilings, abutments, or any other items.
• Never water ski, wakeboard or participate in other towed
watersports in shallow water, close to shore, or in water where
you do not know the depth or what is beneath the surface.
• Never put your arm, head, or any other part of your body through
the handle-bridle of the tow line nor wrap the line around any
part of the body at any time.
•
DO NOT
participate in watersports while under the influence of
alcohol and/or drugs.
•
DO NOT
participate in watersports during inclement weather or
on rough water.
• Never water ski, wakeboard or participate in other towed
watersports directly in front of other boats who may run over you
if you fall.
• Never water ski, wakeboard or participate in other towed watersports
at night.
• Never jump from a boat that is moving at any speed.
• Make sure that everyone knows and uses approved towed
watersports hand signals.
