Public Act 098-0697
 
SB2731 EnrolledLRB098 17464 MLW 52568 b


  
    AN ACT concerning transportation.
  
 
    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
 
represented in the General Assembly:
  
 
 
    Section 5. The Boat Registration and Safety Act is amended  
by changing Section 5-14 as follows:
 



    (625 ILCS 45/5-14)  (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 315-9)



    Sec. 5-14. Towing of Persons. Water Skiing. 

    A. No person may operate a motorboat that has in tow or is

otherwise
assisting a person on water skis, an aquaplane, or a 
similar
contrivance in or
upon any waterway, unless the 
motorboat has a capacity of at
least 3 persons and is occupied 
by at least 2
competent persons.

    B. No person may operate a motorboat having in tow or 
otherwise be
assisting a person on water skis, aquaplane or 
similar contrivance from the
period of one-half hour after 
sunset to one-half hour before sunrise. This
paragraph B does 
not apply to motorboats used in duly authorized water ski

tournaments, competitions, exhibitions or trials therefor 
where adequate
lighting is provided.

    C. All persons operating a motorboat having in tow or 
otherwise
assisting a person on water skis, aquaplane or 
similar contrivance, must be
careful and prudent in their 
operation and keep at a reasonable distance
from persons and 
property so as not to endanger the life or property of any

person.

    D. No person may 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 persons thereon to collide
with or 
strike against any person or object, except ski jumps, buoys 
and
like objects normally used in competitive or recreational 
skiing.

    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. 
(Source: P.A. 90-412, eff. 1-1-98.)