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NEW LAWS 2015 Illinois. NEW LAW, when towing, boat needs orange flag

dan144k

dan144k

Jetboaters Captain
Messages
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Location
Palatine, IL
Boat Make
Yamaha
Year
2010
Boat Model
AR
Boat Length
24
  • Illinois Senate Bill 2731 New Skier Tow Rules: The Bill mandates that the operator of any watercraft that is towing a person, such as a water skier or tuber, must display a bright orange flag measuring not less than 12 inches per side. The flag must be displayed from the time the person to be towed leaves the boat until that person returns to the boat at the conclusion of the activity.
 
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=098-0697

E. The operator of any watercraft that is towing a person
or persons shall display on the watercraft a bright or
brilliant orange flag measuring not less than 12 inches per
side. The flag shall be displayed at the highest point of the
area surrounding the boat's helm as to be visible from all
directions, continuously, while the person or persons being
towed depart the boat in preparation for towing and until
reentry into the boat when the activity has ceased. Display of
the flag for purposes other than the activity described in this
Section is prohibited.
 
I was born in Illinois, so glad I'm not in Illinois. Chicago ruins the State.
 
Makes it much easier then Missouri law. Skier down flag. I would rather leave the flag up the whole time.
 
In California their is another requirement that a spotter in addition to the boat operator be onboard when towing a person behind the boat. I don't know if we have a flag requirement so much as a signaling device as I've seen people use life vests in front of water patrols and not get hassled or ticketed.
 
Ohio has always had the spotter law, but there was legislation last year to not require it if you have a mirror. It never made it out of the house or to a vote that I know of.

WOW! Just did some research for our trip to Lake Norman in July and read this.....

3. The vessel towing the skier shall be equipped with a rear vision mirror or carry an observer (not the boat operator) or the person being towed is wearing a PFD

Don't need a mirror or observer if you have a PFD on
 
Ronnie said:
In California their is another requirement that a spotter in addition to the boat operator be onboard when towing a person behind the boat. I don't know if we have a flag requirement so much as a signaling device as I've seen people use life vests in front of water patrols and not get hassled or ticketed.
Click to expand...
That's how it is in Illinois. That has always been in place. Now they added the flag rule.
 
Attn. MN Legislators...

Please (pretty please!) focus on the other things going on in our state and ignore what IL (and other states around us) have done in regards to this topic.

Thank you.
 
Gee in Florida we don't have any flag requirements like that, Here we simply fire a warning shot across the bow of any fool who comes too close to us when we are towing someone. WORKS FOR US!
 
CFD3Captain said:
3. The vessel towing the skier shall be equipped with a rear vision mirror or carry an observer (not the boat operator) or the person being towed is wearing a PFD
Click to expand...
WOW, I can't imagine towing a person without a PFD. I have very few rules on my boat, but that one is absolutely, positively non-negotiable.
 
Last edited:
The rule on my boat is under 16 pfd at all times, 16+ pfd when the engines are running. When at anchor I allow the 16&17 year olds to take off their jackets if they stay on board. The 17 and under crowd must swim with the pfd on. 18+ you have the option. The lake I like to go to is (currently) 180' deep where we play, I am NOT going in after you.
 
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