Nautique SPORT NAUTIQUE 216 - Manual (Page 44)

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• Make sure that everyone knows and uses approved skiing
hand signals and common skiing courtesy.
• Be sure to turn off the engine before allowing anyone to
approach the boat.
• The engine must be shut down (OFF) before a skier enters
or exits the boat, boarding platform or ladder.
• Every skier must always wear a USCG-approved Type III
personal flotation device. Special PFDs are available for high
impact falls into the water.
• Maintain a distance of at least 100 feet from all other
objects, including other boats, piers, rafts, mooring and
navigational buoys, pilings, abutments or any other items.
• Be sure to have an experienced operator and observer in the
boat when skiing.
• Look before you turn the boat to pick up a fallen skier.
• Have ship to shore communication devices if operating at a
significant distance off shore.
• The operator should never retrieve or pick up an article
from the water while the engine is running. The engine must
be shut OFF.
• The operator should always keep the skier in view when the
skier is entering or exiting the boat.
• Communicate skiing speed with the skier before starting.
• The operator should know the ability level of the skier.
• The skier should indicate he/she is clear of the boat prior to
starting the boat or putting the boat into gear and tightening
the rope.
• The operator, observer and skier should agree to
communication hand signals before starting.
• Observer in the boat should keep operator appraised of
skier status.
• The operator should always watch the skier as the line is
tightened to start (in case rope wraps around ski or skier).
• The operator should look ahead before starting.
• Start from a safe place with good forward and peripheral
visibility.
• The operator should check direction of the rudder before
starting (in gear, slowly making sure the boat goes straight).
Boating Safety
Sport
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