98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2013 and 2014
SB2665

 

Introduced 1/21/2014, by Sen. Pamela J. Althoff

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
625 ILCS 45/5-14  from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 315-9

    Amends the Boat Registration and Safety Act. Requires operators of a watercraft towing a person or persons to display purple flags on their watercraft. Requires this flag to be displayed at the highest point of the boat's helm. Effective January 1, 2015.


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A BILL FOR

 

SB2665LRB098 15078 MLW 50042 b

1    AN ACT concerning transportation.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Boat Registration and Safety Act is amended
5by changing Section 5-14 as follows:
 
6    (625 ILCS 45/5-14)  (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 315-9)
7    Sec. 5-14. Towing of Persons. Water Skiing.
8    A. No person may operate a motorboat that has in tow or is
9otherwise assisting a person on water skis, an aquaplane, or a
10similar contrivance in or upon any waterway, unless the
11motorboat has a capacity of at least 3 persons and is occupied
12by at least 2 competent persons.
13    B. No person may operate a motorboat having in tow or
14otherwise be assisting a person on water skis, aquaplane or
15similar contrivance from the period of one-half hour after
16sunset to one-half hour before sunrise. This paragraph B does
17not apply to motorboats used in duly authorized water ski
18tournaments, competitions, exhibitions or trials therefor
19where adequate lighting is provided.
20    C. All persons operating a motorboat having in tow or
21otherwise assisting a person on water skis, aquaplane or
22similar contrivance, must be careful and prudent in their
23operation and keep at a reasonable distance from persons and

 

 

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1property so as not to endanger the life or property of any
2person.
3    D. No person may operate or manipulate any vessel, tow rope
4or other device by which the direction or location of water
5skis, aquaplane, or similar device may be affected or
6controlled in such a way as to cause the water skis, aquaplane,
7or similar device, or any persons thereon to collide with or
8strike against any person or object, except ski jumps, buoys
9and like objects normally used in competitive or recreational
10skiing.
11    E. The operator of any watercraft that is towing a person
12or persons shall display on the watercraft a bright or
13brilliant purple flag measuring not less than 12 inches per
14side. The flag shall be displayed at the highest point of the
15area surrounding the boat's helm as to be visible from all
16directions, continuously, while the person or persons being
17towed depart the boat in preparation for towing and until
18reentry into the boat when the activity has ceased. Display of
19the flag for purposes other than the activity described in this
20Section is prohibited.
21(Source: P.A. 90-412, eff. 1-1-98.)
 
22    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect January
231, 2015.