Montana Code 23-2-529. Waterskis and surfboards
23-2-529. Waterskis and surfboards. (1) A person may not operate a motorboat or vessel on any waters of this state for the purpose of towing a person or persons on waterskis, a surfboard, or similar device unless the operator is accompanied by an observer. If the operator is 12 years of age or younger, there must be a second person, at least 18 years of age, in the vessel to observe the person being towed. The fish and wildlife commission shall adopt rules regarding the proper observation and safe towing of persons on waterskis or similar devices, based on density of use of a body of water.
Terms Used In Montana Code 23-2-529
- Motorboat: means a vessel, including a personal watercraft or pontoon, propelled by any machinery, motor, or engine of any description, whether or not the machinery, motor, or engine is the principal source of propulsion. See Montana Code 23-2-502
- Operate: means to navigate or otherwise use a motorboat or a vessel. See Montana Code 23-2-502
- Operator: means the person who navigates, drives, or is otherwise in immediate control of a motorboat or vessel. See Montana Code 23-2-502
- Person: means an individual, partnership, firm, corporation, association, or other entity. See Montana Code 23-2-502
- Vessel: means every description of watercraft, unless otherwise defined by the department, other than a seaplane on the water, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water. See Montana Code 23-2-502
- Waters of this state: means any waters within the territorial limits of this state. See Montana Code 23-2-502
(2)A person may not operate a motorboat or vessel towing a person engaged in waterskiing, surfboarding, or similar activity or towing some other contrivances nor may a person engage in those activities at any time between the hours from sunset to sunrise, except that this subsection does not apply to a performer engaged in a professional exhibition or a person engaged in a regatta or race authorized under this part.
(3)All right-of-way rules applying to a towing vessel apply to a person being towed.