towed
person
safety
responsibilities
Axis
Owners
Manual
2019
Page 37
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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.
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