Watersports Responsibility Code
Water sports are fun and challenging but involve inherent risks of injury
or death. To increase your enjoyment of the sport and to reduce your
risks, use common sense and follow these rules.
Before you start:
Familiarize yourself with all applicable federal, state and local
laws, the risks inherent in the sport and the proper use of the
equipment.
Know the waterways.
Always have a person other than the boat driver as an observer.
Rider, observer and driver must agree on hand signals.
Never start out until rider signals he/she is ready. Observer and
rider should maintain eye contact.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning from engine exhaust may
cause injury or death. Do not sit on the boat transom or swim
platform while the engine is running. These activities may lead to
excessive CO exposure which may cause injury or death. If you
can smell engine exhaust while in the boat, do not stay seated in
that position for prolonged periods. Never “Platform Drag” by
holding onto the swim platform or be dragged directly behind the
boat. An improperly tuned engine will produce excessive exhaust.
Have your engine checked and corrected by a mechanic.
Changing boat speed or direction relative to the wind can reduce
or increase boat exhaust from accumulating near the boat and
rider. Consult your boat Owners Manual, or the United States
Coast Guard’s website:
for more
information on how to help protect others and yourself from the
dangers of CO poisoning
Use caution and common sense.
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