Rider - Observer - Boat driver

Any person who is being towed behind a boat, in an activity such as water skiing, must wear a properly fitted USCG-approved PFD. An inflatable PFD is not permitted. 

If towing a person on water skis or other devices using a PWC (also known as ''thrill craft'' in Hawaii), the activity must be conducted in a designated thrill craft riding zone or in undesignated State waters. 

In addition to the operator, there must be a competent observer or a rear-view mirror onboard, to observe the object or skier being towed when that person is within the towboat wake on a 75-foot line.

 

Use of water skis and other towed devices are permitted only between sunrise and sunset.

 

Waterskiing on the Wailua River (Kauai) is restricted to specific zones. In one of the zones waterskiing may only be conducted from sunrise to 9am and from 5pm to sunset. 

You must have room on board your boat, within the boat's maximum persons capacity, for any person(s) being towed behind the boat.

 

Furthermore, any motorboat towing or otherwise assisting a person on water skis, aquaplane or similar is not permitted unless the towing vessel is equipped with a ladder, steps or similar means to which a person being towed can be taken from the water.

 

Tow-In Surfing

Both the operator of a thrill craft used for tow-in surfing and his/her companion surfer who engages tow-in surfing must possess and make available upon demand of enforcement personnel, a certificate of completion from an accredited institution of higher education in Hawaii on the safe use and operation of a thrill craft in high surf. 

 

DISCLAIMER: The content of this module is only a portion of what is required for thrill craft certification in the State of Hawaii. It does not certify you to tow-in surf. For more information, visit the Hawaii Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation web site.  

 

The following rules apply to persons involved in tow-in surfing:

 

  • Only PWC may be used for tow-in surfing.

  • All PWC used for the activity MUST be registered with the department using forms provided by the department.

  • Tow-in surfing decals shall be provided at the time the vessel is registered for that activity with the department and MUST be prominently displayed on the front half of the vessel. PWC that have NOT been registered with the department for tow-in surfing are prohibited from displaying a tow-in surfing decal.

  • Tow-in surfing is only permitted during periods where high surf warnings are in effect, as declared by the National Weather Service.

  • In addition to equipment required by the U.S. Coast Guard for vessels, all PWC used for tow-in surfing shall be equipped with the following:

    • A rescue sled that is at least 3 feet wide, 4 feet long, and 3 inches thick. The sled shall have a minimum of 5 handgrip handles, 2 on the port side, 2 on the starboard side and 1 at the bow of the sled. The sled may not exceed the PWC manufacturer’s recommended load capacity;

    • A quick-release tow-rope a minimum of thirty feet long;

    • A bow towline a minimum of six feet long.

 

Special identification stickers for the vessel and carriage requirements for tow-in surfing apply.

 

When operating a thrill craft for tow-in surfing, all operators shall:

 

  • Carry on board a two-way communicating device;

  • Tow-in a maximum of one person at any one time;

  • Carry dive fins and a safety knife on their person;

Yield right of way to all other boating or ocean recreation activities by leaving the same surfing break area and remaining a minimum of one thousand feet from the other activities.

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