41-13-212. Motorboat pulling skier to be occupied by at least 2 persons; hours of operation; use of care; exceptions.

(a) No motorboat which shall have in tow or shall be otherwise assisting a person on water skis, aquaplane or similar contrivance, shall be operated or propelled in or upon any waterway, unless such motorboat shall be occupied by at least two (2) persons. Provided, that this subsection shall not apply to motorboats used by representatives of duly constituted water ski schools in the giving of instruction, or to motorboats used in duly authorized water ski tournaments, competitions, expositions, or trials therefor, or to any motorboat equipped with a wide angle rear view mirror.

(b) No motorboat shall have in tow or shall otherwise be assisting a person on water skis, aquaplane or similar contrivance from the period of one (1) hour after sunset to one (1) hour prior to sunrise. Provided, that this subsection shall not apply to motorboats used in duly authorized water ski tournaments, competitions, expositions, or trials therefor.

(c) All motorboats having in tow or otherwise assisting a person on water skis, aquaplane or similar contrivance, shall be operated in a careful and prudent manner at a reasonable distance from persons and property so as not to endanger the life or property of any person.

(d) No person shall operate or manipulate any vessel, tow rope or other device by which the direction or location of water skis, aquaplane, or similar device may be affected or controlled in such a way as to cause the water skis, aquaplane, or similar device, or any person thereon to collide with or strike against any person or object, other than a jumping ramp or in conjunction with skiing over a slalom course.

(e) The person required to be in a motorboat under subsection (a) of this section who is not operating the motorboat shall:

(i) Continuously observe the person being towed.