(a) No person may operate a personal watercraft towing another person on water skis or other towables unless the personal watercraft has, on board, in addition to the operator, a rear-facing observer, who monitors the progress of the person or persons being towed. This rear-facing observer must be at least twelve years of age.
(b) No person may operate a personal watercraft towing another person on water skis or other towables unless the total number of persons operating, observing and being towed does not exceed the specified number of passengers as identified by the manufacturer as the maximum safe load for the vessel.
Structure West Virginia Code
Article 7. Law Enforcement, Motorboating, Litter
§20-7-1a. Natural Resources Police Officer Salary Increase Based on Length of Service
§20-7-1c. Natural Resources Police Officer, Ranks, Salary Schedule, Base Pay, Exceptions
§20-7-3. Powers and Duties of Other Law Officers
§20-7-4. Powers and Duties of Natural Resources Police Officers
§20-7-5. Enforcement of Chapter
§20-7-6. Prosecutions Under Chapter; Attorney Services; Costs
§20-7-7. Conspiracy to Violate Chapter; Withholding Information; Obstructing Officers
§20-7-8. Seizure and Disposition of Property Used for Illegal Purpose
§20-7-9. Violations of Chapter Generally; Penalties
§20-7-10. Justice of Peace Jurisdiction Under Chapter
§20-7-11. Motorboats and Other Terms Defined
§20-7-12b. Boating Safety Education Certificate
§20-7-14. Motorboats Exempt From Numbering
§20-7-15. Dealers' and Manufacturers' Certificate of Number; Applications and Fees
§20-7-18a. Negligent Homicide; Penalties
§20-7-18b. Operating Under Influence of Alcohol, Controlled Substances or Drugs; Penalties
§20-7-18c. Implied Consent to Test; Administration at Direction of Law-Enforcement Officer
§20-7-18d. Operation of Personal Watercrafts
§20-7-19. Water Skiing and Surfboarding
§20-7-19a. Towing Water Skiers and Towables
§20-7-20. Regattas, Races and Exhibitions; Applications and Permits
§20-7-20a. Personal Watercraft Operation and Towing Exemptions
§20-7-21. Responsibility of Owner, etc., for Incapable Operators of Motorboats
§20-7-22. General Rules and Regulations for Motorboating; Special Rules