b'B O AT I N G R E G U L AT I O N Stubing, wakeboarding, wakesurfing, etc. part of the towline. Towing of a person or persons on an inner tube Effective October 1, 2015, in order to operate a vessel that iswithout handholds is prohibited.engaged in tubing or water skiing you must; (1) be at least 16 yearsExcept when the vessel is engaged in towing a waterskier and at old; (2) hold a valid U.S. Coast Guard-issued vessel operator license orleast one person onboard the vessel is using it for training purposes, a valid boating certificate issued by CT, MA, NH, NY or RI; and (3) havethe rigid metal tow pole, often used for barefoot skiing, may either be a CT Safe Water Skiing Endorsement issued by DEEP. removed from the boat or must be dismantled or folded and placed Exception: If, prior to October 1, 2015, you obtained a validinside of the gunwale and parallel to the center line of the boat.license issued by the USCG or a valid boating certificate issued by CT, MA, NH, NY or RI, you are not required to have a Safe WaterskiingKite-skiingandparasailingareprohibitedanywhere Endorsement. Persons who are younger than 16 years of age, or whowaterskiingisprohibitedorsubjecttospecialregulations.Kite-do not have a valid license issued by the USCG or a valid boatingskiers and parasailers shall not fly over or under obstructions such certificate issued by CT, MA, NH, NY or RI, are not eligible to operate aas utility lines and bridges; nor shall they fly over dams, locks, vessel engaged in tubing or water skiing. docks, launching ramps, swim areas, marinas or congested areas.Persons who obtain one of the above described certificates fromSelf-propelledwaterskisandsurfboards,andremote a State that has a reciprocal agreement with Connecticut or a U.Scontrol devices which tow waterskiers, are prohibited in Connecticut.Coast Guard License, after October 1, 2015, will be able to obtain the required Safe Water Skiing Endorsement through an online Safe WaterAll waterski jumps and slalom courses require a permit. Skiing Course. The link to the course is https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/ Contact the Boating Division or visit our website for information.Boating/Safety/Safe-Waterskiing-EndorsementThe online Safe Water Skiing Course will provide the education A quick summary of the waterskiing and parasailing section:portion free of charge. If a student wishes to take the examination, Boaters operating a boat while engaged in towed water sports which would result in being eligible to receive the Connecticut Safemust carry their endorsement.Water Skiing Endorsement, a fee may be imposed.Boaters may not waterski or operate the towing vessel so as to The operator of the vessel and the waterskier are responsible forendanger persons or property.operating in a manner which does not harm or strike another person or The number of persons in a towing boat plus the number of vessel. Waterskiing is forbidden between 30 minutes after sunset untilpersons being towed may not exceed the legal capacity of the sunrise or when visibility is restricted to less than 100 yards. boat, except by Marine Event Permit.BoatsandPersonal Watercraft(PWCs)aresubjecttodifferent Police may terminate the water skiing activity of a given vessel near-shore,slow-no-wakerestrictions;exceptforthepurposeoffor the remainder of a given day if anyone on or being towed by allowingawaterskiertotakeofforland,boatsmaynotexceedthat vessel violates water skiing regulations.Slow-No-Wake within 100 feet of shore and PWCs may not exceed Two water skiing violation convictions in one year will mean the Slow-No-Wake within 200 feet of shore. This means that, dependingloss of endorsement for the remainder of that year and the year on the type of vessel that is being operated, a waterbody (or portionthat follows. Restoration is available only upon completion of the of waterbody) may simply be too narrow to legally waterski or go fast. suspension period and passing the waterskiing class.The operator of the boat is required to have a responsible observer Teak surfing and platform dragging is prohibited.at least 12 years of age facing the skier to assist the operator and Violation of this section is now an infraction.monitor the progress of the waterskier. The waterskier, the observer, andtheboatoperatorshouldpracticeandusehandsignalsforWing-In-Ground (WIG) Vesselscommunication.A wing-in-ground (WIG) effect vessel must be approved by the In Connecticut, waterskiers are required by law to wear a U.S.DEEP before operating recreationally and by the U.S. Coast Guard CoastGuardapprovedpersonalflotationdevice(lifejacket)whilebefore operating for commercial or for research purposes.engaged in waterskiing, except for those skiers who are engaged in barefoot waterskiing and are wearing a specifically designed barefootMarine Event Permitswetsuit and those skiers who are engaged in trick waterskiing and areOn state waters, all marine parades, regattas, races, tournaments, wearing standard double trick skis at least eight inches wide and notfireworks over water, exhibitions, or other activities requiring exclusive over 46 inches long, and being towed at not more than 20 mph usinguseofaportionofawaterbody,useofastateboatlaunch,or a tow rope longer than 50 feet long. A life jacket must be made readilymodification or suspension of any laws or regulations require a permit available aboard the tow vessel for each skier electing not to wear oneissued by the DEEP. Applications must be received by the DEEP Boating under the above exceptions. Ski belts and inflatable life jackets areDivision at least 45 days prior to the event.not permitted. For details visit the DEEP website https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/The maximum length of a towline measured from the tow post toBoating/Boating-and-Paddling and select Laws and Requirements.the waterskiers tow handle is 100 feet. No elastic component may beNOTE: If your event is on tidal waters, contact the USCG Sector 242021 Connecticut BOATERS GUIDE'