HB1076: Towing persons on the water; adds inflatable tube to list of devices used therefor.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That § 29.1-742 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§ 29.1-742. Towing water skis, surfboards, etc.
A. No person shall operate a vessel on any waters of the
Commonwealth for towing a person or persons on water skis, a surfboard, an inflatable
tube, or a similar device unless (i) there
is in the vessel a person, in addition to the operator, in a position to
observe the progress of the person or persons being towed or unless and
(ii) the skier or skiers wear life preservers a
U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device.
B. No person shall operate a vessel on any water of the Commonwealth towing a person or persons on water skis, a surfboard, an inflatable tube or a similar device, nor shall any person engage in water skiing or a similar activity at any time between the hours from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise. The provisions of this subsection shall not constitute a defense to any provision of § 29.1-738.
C. The provisions of subsections A and B of this section do not apply to a performer engaged in a professional exhibition.
D. No person shall operate or manipulate any vessel, towrope, or other device by which the direction or location of water skis, a surfboard, an inflatable tube or a similar device may be affected or controlled in such a way as to cause the water skis, surfboard, inflatable tube or similar device, or any person upon the device to collide with any object or person.