Pine Lake Ski School is committed to safety first when it comes down to boating operation and pulling a skier.

When it is your turn to pull a skier, you need to be aware of the laws of the waterways and skier hand signals.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has a complete handbook of all the Michigan Boating Laws & Requirements - a must read before you get behind the wheel of a boat.

Click on the image to the left to view an Adobe Acrobat Reader version of the pamplet or stay abreast of new boating laws by calling the Michigan Department of Natural Resources at (517) 373-1230 or visit www.michigan.gov/dnr/

Here is the law regarding pulling a skier or other device:

Vessel operators towing a person(s) on water skis or a similar device have additional laws they must follow. Requirements for towing skiers:

• It is illegal to tow skiers, surfboards, or any device of this type between:
  • One hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise if towed behind a vessel
  • One hour before sunset and 8:00 AM if towed behind a PWC
  
  
• Persons being towed must stay at least 100 feet away from:
  • Any moored or anchored vessel
  • A dock or raft
  • Any marked swimming area or person(s) in the water
    
  
  
• Those being towed behind a PWC must wear a U.S. Coast Guard Approved Type I, II, or III PFD. Those under 12 years of age must wear a Type I or II PFD. Inflatable PFDs may not be used
  
• Every vessel towing a person(s) on water skis, a surfboard or a similar device must have a person, in addition to the vessel operator, observing the towed person(s) at all times