09-28-2006, 07:58 PM
I got a little clarification on this subject. Here is the latest from an email from the boating safety department with the law and then their interpretation/explanation of the law and why. Still doesn't answer how you tow a disabled boat into a harbor or marina. I doubt anyone would ticket you for being a good samaritan and helping out. But this does allow wake surfing to be legal still because it is in a standing position.
[font "Times New Roman"][#ff0000][size 3]R651-224-2. Unlawful methods of towing[/size][/#ff0000][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][#ff0000][size 3]No person shall operate a motorboat or have the engine of a motorboat run idle while a person is occupying or holding onto the swim platform, swim deck, swim step or swim ladder of the motorboat or while a person is being towed in a non-standing position within 20 feet of the vessel. These restrictions do not apply when a person is occupying the swim platform, swim deck, swim step or swim ladder while assisting with the docking or departure of the motorboat, while exiting or entering the motorboat, or when a motorboat is engaged in law enforcement activity.[/size][/#ff0000][/font] [font "Times New Roman"][#ff0000][size 3]R651-224-6. No Towing in Marinas[/size][/#ff0000][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][#ff0000][size 3]The operator of a vessel shall not tow a person(s) in or on any towed device within a wakeless area surrounding a developed marina or launch ramp.[/size][/#ff0000][/font]
[font "Arial"][size 3]Two new boating safety rules took effect on August 22, 2006:[/size][/font]
[ul]
[font "Arial"][size 3]1. The towing of a person(s) in or on any towed device is not permitted within a developed marina or within a designated wakeless speed area surrounding a launch ramp.[/size][/font]
[/ul] [ul]
[font "Arial"][size 3]Many of our marinas and launch ramps can get very congested and towing a person on a person(s) on a tube or other towable device at a distance of 60, 75, or even 100 feet behind the towing boat simply adds to the congestion and can create a potentially unsafe situation, even at a wakeless speed. It is appropriate for these towed devices to be used outside of developed marinas and launch ramps.[/size][/font]
[/ul] [ul]
[font "Arial"][size 3]2. The operation of a motorboat, even with the engine at an idle, when a person is occupying or holding onto the swim platform, swim deck, swim steps or ladder is not permitted. This includes the towing of a person(s), who is in a non-standing position, within 20 feet of the vessel. This restriction does not apply when a person is assisting with the docking or departure of the motorboat from a dock, when a person is entering or exiting the motorboat from a dock, or when a motorboat is engaged in a law enforcement activity.[/size][/font]
[/ul] [ul]
[font "Arial"][size 3]Carbon Monoxide poisoning is a serious issue with motorboats. Recent research, studies, and accident reports have shown that carbon monoxide gas can quickly build into high and deadly concentration levels in the areas immediately behind the boat, including the swim platform. This new rule does not allow a boat to be operated with a person sitting or standing on the swim platform of a motorboat, even when the engine is idling and the boat is not moving. It also restricts the activity of “teak surfing” or towing a person on a tube or similar device within 20 feet of the back of the vessel. However, this rule does not restrict the activities of “wake skating” or “wake surfing,” towed activities where the person being towed is standing and riding the wake of the vessel outside the areas of high carbon monoxide concentrations.[/size][/font]
[font "Arial"][size 3][/size][/font]
[/ul]
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[font "Times New Roman"][#ff0000][size 3]R651-224-2. Unlawful methods of towing[/size][/#ff0000][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][#ff0000][size 3]No person shall operate a motorboat or have the engine of a motorboat run idle while a person is occupying or holding onto the swim platform, swim deck, swim step or swim ladder of the motorboat or while a person is being towed in a non-standing position within 20 feet of the vessel. These restrictions do not apply when a person is occupying the swim platform, swim deck, swim step or swim ladder while assisting with the docking or departure of the motorboat, while exiting or entering the motorboat, or when a motorboat is engaged in law enforcement activity.[/size][/#ff0000][/font] [font "Times New Roman"][#ff0000][size 3]R651-224-6. No Towing in Marinas[/size][/#ff0000][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][#ff0000][size 3]The operator of a vessel shall not tow a person(s) in or on any towed device within a wakeless area surrounding a developed marina or launch ramp.[/size][/#ff0000][/font]
[font "Arial"][size 3]Two new boating safety rules took effect on August 22, 2006:[/size][/font]
[ul]
[font "Arial"][size 3]1. The towing of a person(s) in or on any towed device is not permitted within a developed marina or within a designated wakeless speed area surrounding a launch ramp.[/size][/font]
[/ul] [ul]
[font "Arial"][size 3]Many of our marinas and launch ramps can get very congested and towing a person on a person(s) on a tube or other towable device at a distance of 60, 75, or even 100 feet behind the towing boat simply adds to the congestion and can create a potentially unsafe situation, even at a wakeless speed. It is appropriate for these towed devices to be used outside of developed marinas and launch ramps.[/size][/font]
[/ul] [ul]
[font "Arial"][size 3]2. The operation of a motorboat, even with the engine at an idle, when a person is occupying or holding onto the swim platform, swim deck, swim steps or ladder is not permitted. This includes the towing of a person(s), who is in a non-standing position, within 20 feet of the vessel. This restriction does not apply when a person is assisting with the docking or departure of the motorboat from a dock, when a person is entering or exiting the motorboat from a dock, or when a motorboat is engaged in a law enforcement activity.[/size][/font]
[/ul] [ul]
[font "Arial"][size 3]Carbon Monoxide poisoning is a serious issue with motorboats. Recent research, studies, and accident reports have shown that carbon monoxide gas can quickly build into high and deadly concentration levels in the areas immediately behind the boat, including the swim platform. This new rule does not allow a boat to be operated with a person sitting or standing on the swim platform of a motorboat, even when the engine is idling and the boat is not moving. It also restricts the activity of “teak surfing” or towing a person on a tube or similar device within 20 feet of the back of the vessel. However, this rule does not restrict the activities of “wake skating” or “wake surfing,” towed activities where the person being towed is standing and riding the wake of the vessel outside the areas of high carbon monoxide concentrations.[/size][/font]
[font "Arial"][size 3][/size][/font]
[/ul]
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