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.
(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.
History: En. Sec. 14, Ch. 285, L. 1959; amd. Sec. 12, Ch. 514, L. 1973; amd. Sec. 14, Ch. 124, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 69-3514; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 136, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 28, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 728, L. 1991.
Structure Montana Code Annotated
Title 23. Parks, Recreation, Sports, and Gambling
23-2-501. Declaration of policy
23-2-505. Owner's civil liability
23-2-508. Certificate of title
23-2-514. Exemption from numbering provisions
23-2-515. Registration decal to be displayed
23-2-519. Penalty -- disposition
23-2-522. Discharge of waste from vessel prohibited
23-2-523. Prohibited operation and mooring -- enforcement
23-2-524. Passing rule and right-of-way
23-2-526. Overloading -- overpowering -- noise limitations
23-2-527. Collisions, accidents, and casualties
23-2-528. Transmittal of information to U.S. officials
23-2-529. Waterskis and surfboards
23-2-531. Personal watercraft operation
23-2-532. Restrictions on manufacture and sale
23-2-533. Use of allocated funds for boating facilities
23-2-535. Alcohol concentration standards -- evidence admissible -- administration of tests
23-2-536. Creation of boating advisory council -- appointment of members -- duties
23-2-537. through 23-2-539 reserved
23-2-541. Aquatic invasive species prevention pass for nonresident vessels -- rulemaking