Hand Signals
Make sure that everyone knows and uses approved towed
watersports hand signals, as shown.
Circle Back to Dock Cut Engine
Skier in Water Skier OK Speed OK
Stop Speed Faster Speed Slower
Turn Left Turn Right
20—Safety
Towed Person Safety Responsibilities
Most injuries and fatalities that occur on high-performance
recreational tow boats occur to the persons being towed (water
skiing, kneeboarding, wakeboarding, wake surfing, tubing, etc.). It is
the responsibility of the boat operator to pay attention to a multitude
of things while utilizing the boat for water tow sports. The towed
person has little or no control over their path nor do they have
much in the way of protection from impact with obstacles or other
boats. Therefore, it is recommended that boat operators, observers,
and towed persons communicate effectively and clearly as to their
intentions and their surroundings. The main responsibilities for each
participant are as follows:
Operators should:
• Assign a passenger to be a designated observer.
• Turn the engine off whenever a person is on the swim platform
or in the water near the boat. This is especially important for the
area near the back of the boat to avoid propeller injuries.
• Ensure that it is “all clear” behind the boat when starting the
engine. Ask for verbal confirmation or hand signals that it is “all
clear” behind the boat. Then, and only then, start the engine.
• Keep their main focus on maneuvering the boat safely while
avoiding other boats, fixed objects, the shore, and shallow water.
• Use rear view mirrors to allow the driver to glance at the towed
person, while still keeping their main attention on the path of the
boat and the surroundings.
• Return safely to pick up towed persons or persons in the water.
Keep the individual in view, approach slowly (preferably on the
driver’s side), and shut off the engine when close to an individual
in the water.
DO NOT
back up or operate the boat in reverse to a
person in the water.
Observers should:
• Confirm for the boat operator that it is “all clear” behind the boat
prior to starting the engine.
• Watch the towed person.
• Be responsible for communication of the signals and status of the
towed person to the boat driver.
• Notify the boat operator of status and changing conditions
with the towed person, and inform the boat driver of the towed
person’s readiness to start, their desire to go faster or slower, or
that they have fallen and are in need of retrieval.
• Deploy the fallen skier flag when the towed person falls, if needed.
In some states, it is required to raise the “fallen skier” flag when
the skier has fallen.
• Monitor the tow line to ensure that it does not become tangled, it
does not become wrapped around anyone in the boat, and it does
not become wrapped around the towed person. Also monitor the
tow line so that it does not become tangled in the propeller. Notify
the boat operator if any of these conditions are observed to
avoid potential injury.
• Remind the boat operator to shut off the engine when persons are
on the swim platform or in the water near the back of the boat.
Towed persons should:
• Wear a PFD.
• Not approach the back of the boat if the engine is running.
• Not become entangled in a tow line or wrap a tow line around any
body part.
• Know signals to communicate with the observer and boat
operator.
Additional Precautions for Towed Skier/Rider
• Wear wet suits or protective shorts when engaging in high energy
skiing/riding to prevent abrasions, hypothermia, and injuries to
orifices (rectal and vaginal) from impact with the water surface.
• Inspect watersports equipment for wear, fraying, etc., before
use.
DO NOT
use if they show signs of wear or fraying. Ropes or
watersport equipment tow points may break during use, causing
you to coast into obstacles or fall with the risk of being struck by
another vessel.
• Inspect the boat tow points before use. If there is any evidence of
corrosion or other damage, do not use until it has been inspected
by your authorized Malibu Boat dealer.
•
NEVER
attach ski/wakeboard rope to anything but approved
pylons and wakeboard towers. Make sure tow ropes are properly
attached to the boat tow points.
• The skier/rider should verbally indicate that (s)he is safely clear
of the boat prior to operator starting the boat engine or putting
the boat into gear.
• Slowly take up slack in tow lines before accelerating to
watersports speeds. Jerking the slack out of a tow line can cause
high forces on the rope and towing equipment. This may cause
the rope or equipment to break and the rope to snap back at
occupants of your boat and at the towed person.
