HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1007

BYRepresentatives Ballard, Ferguson, McLean and K. Wilson 

Promoting safety in water skiing.

House Committe on Natural Resources & Parks

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (10)

      Signed by Representatives Belcher, Chair;K. Wilson, Vice Chair; Beck, Ranking Republican Member; Brumsickle, Dellwo, Ferguson, R. Fisher, Fuhrman, Raiter and Sayan.

House Staff:Jean Kelley McElroy (786-7196)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & PARKS

FEBRUARY 17, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Washington currently has a boating accident fatality rate that is more than double the national average.  From 1984 to the present, there have been three reported deaths related to water skiing.  During the same period, there have been 49 reported water skiing accidents.

The State Parks and Recreation Commission has adopted boating safety standards.  The standards adopted are the United States Coast Guard safety standards, which do not deal with water ski safety.  There are, therefore, no state-wide standards for water ski safety.  Some counties and other local governments have adopted water ski safety regulations, but these vary widely from area to area.

SUMMARY:

SUBSTITUTE BILL:  Any recreational boat operated on any state waters and towing any number of people on water skis or similar contrivances must have at least an operator and an observer on board.  The operator is the person in physical control of the boat, and the observer is a person riding in the boat who is responsible for observing the water skier.  The operator and the observer cannot be the same person.  A recreational boat is any vessel manufactured or used primarily for noncommercial use, or leased, rented, or chartered for noncommercial use.

The observer must watch the skier at all times.  Any time the skier is in the water, whether because the skier has fallen or because the skier is preparing to ski, the observer must display a 12 inch square, bright red flag which is mounted on a handle at least 24 inches long. The flag must be displayed so as to be visible from every direction.

One exception to the above requirements is established.  Any U.S. Coast Guard approved recreational boat, the design of which makes no provision for carrying an operator or any other person on board, and that is actually operated by the person or persons being towed, is exempted from the above requirements.

SUBSTITUTE BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  The substitute changes the definition of recreational boat to include boats carrying six or fewer passengers; sets a minimum age of 10 for the observer; makes an exception for boats which make no provision for carrying an operator or any other person on board; and adds an emergency clause.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    John Woodring and Robin Sells, Ski-Free; Robert Job, Inter Club; Dick Welsh, Lake Sammamish Community Club; Cleve Pinnix, State Parks.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Some additional regulations may increase water ski safety and help prevent water skiing related deaths.  Additional measures such as requiring personal flotation devices for water skiers would help even more.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.