29.1-742 - Towing water skis, surfboards, etc. - Virginia Statutes

§ 29.1-742. Towing water skis, surfboards, etc.

A. No person shall operate a vessel on any waters of the Commonwealth fortowing a person or persons on water skis, a surfboard, or a similar deviceunless there is in the vessel a person, in addition to the operator, in aposition to observe the progress of the person or persons being towed orunless the skier or skiers wear life preservers.

B. No person shall operate a vessel on any water of the Commonwealth towing aperson or persons on water skis, a surfboard, or a similar device, nor shallany person engage in water skiing or a similar activity at any time betweenthe hours from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise.The provisions of this subsection shall not constitute a defense to anyprovision of § 29.1-738.

C. The provisions of subsections A and B of this section do not apply to aperformer engaged in a professional exhibition.

D. No person shall operate or manipulate any vessel, towrope, or other deviceby which the direction or location of water skis, a surfboard, or a similardevice may be affected or controlled in such a way as to cause the waterskis, surfboard, or similar device, or any person upon the device to collidewith any object or person.

(1960, c. 500, § 62-174.13; 1962, c. 626; 1968, c. 659, § 62.1-179; 1982, c.236; 1987, c. 488; 1988, c. 265; 1993, c. 275; 1997, c. 108.)