8
Water Sports 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:
www.uscgboating.org
for more information on how to help
protect others and yourself from the dangers of CO poisoning
•
Use caution and common sense.
