H-244                _______________________________________________

                                                   HOUSE BILL NO. 1007

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1989 Regular Session

By Representatives Ballard, Ferguson, McLean and K. Wilson

Prefiled with Chief Clerk 12/16/88.  Read first time 1/9/89 and referred to Committee on Natural Resources & Parks.

AN ACT Relating to safety in water skiing; and adding a new section to chapter 70.54 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 70.54 RCW to read as follows:

          (1) The purpose of this section is to promote safety in water skiing on the waters of Washington state, provide a means of ensuring safe water skiing and promote the enjoyment of water skiing.

          (2) When used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings designated in this section unless a different meaning is expressly provided or unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

          (a) "Operator" means the individual in physical control of the recreational boat.

          (b) "Observer" means the individual riding in the recreational boat who shall be responsible for observing the water skier at all times.  The observer and the operator shall not be the same person.

          (c) "Recreational boat" means any vessel manufactured or used primarily for noncommercial use; or leased, rented, or chartered to another for the latter's noncommercial use.  It does not include a vessel engaged in the carrying of six or fewer passengers.

          (d) "Waters of Washington state" means any waters within the territorial limits of Washington state.

          (3) No recreational boat which has in tow a person or persons on water skis, or similar contrivance shall be operated on any waters of Washington state unless such craft shall be occupied by at least an operator and an observer.  The observer shall continuously observe the person or persons being towed and shall display a flag immediately after the towed person or persons fall into the water, and during the time preparatory to skiing while the person or persons are still in the water.  Such flag shall be a bright red color, measuring twelve inches on each side, mounted on a handle not less than twenty-four inches long and displayed as to be visible from every direction.