Ariz. Admin. Code § R12-4-524 - Towed Water Sports

A. An operator of a watercraft shall ensure an observer is on duty at all times when a person is being towed behind the watercraft or is surfing a wake created by the watercraft. The observer shall:

1. Be twelve years of age or older;

2. Be physically capable and mentally competent to act as an observer; and

3. Continually observe the person or persons being towed behind the watercraft or surfing a wake created by the watercraft.

B. The operator of a watercraft shall ensure a person being towed behind the watercraft or riding a wake created by the watercraft is wearing a wearable personal flotation device approved by the U.S. Coast Guard whenever the watercraft is underway. This subsection applies to any contrivance designed for or used to tow a person behind a watercraft or ride the wake created by a watercraft regardless of whether or not the contrivance is attached to the watercraft. This includes, but is not limited to, boards, discs, hydrofoils, kites, inflatables, and water skis.

C. A person shall not operate a watercraft while a person is holding onto or is physically attached to any transom structure of the water-craft, including but not limited to a swim platform, swim deck, swim step, and swim ladder. This subsection does not apply to a person who is:

1. Assisting with docking or departure activities,

2. Exiting or entering the watercraft, or

3. Engaging in law enforcement or emergency rescue activity.

Notes

Ariz. Admin. Code § R12-4-524

New Section made by final rulemaking at 8 A.A.R. 3025, effective July 10, 2002 (Supp. 02-3). Amended by final rulemaking at 13 A.A.R. 4511, effective February 2, 2008 (Supp. 07-4). Amended by final rulemaking at 23 A.A.R. 1719, effective 8/5/2017.