Last weekend, a woman from Yonkers water skiing in a lake near Newton, Connecticut, was killed when her line got tangled in the propeller of the boat towing her.
The victim was taken to a hospital in Danbury Hospital where she was pronounced dead.
While the full details of how this accident unfolded were not reported, the tragedy reinforces the importance of following important safety precautions while water skiing - a popular sporting activity during the summer.
Connecticut authorities have issued safety regulations related to boating in Connecticut waterways, including rules addressing water skiing safety such as:
- Water skiers or any other person being towed behind a vehicle are required by law to wear a USCG-approved personal flotation device while being towed (subject to a few narrow exceptions for expert skiers);
- The operator of the boat towing a person in the water must have a responsible observer at least 12 years of age to assist the operator and monitor the progress of the waterskier, and use hand signals for communication.
- The maximum length of a towline measured from the tow post to the skier's tow handle is 100 feet.
- Water-skiing is forbidden between 1/2 hour after sunset until sunrise or when visibility is restricted to less than 100 yards.
- Water-skiing in a narrow channel or river less than 200 feet wide is prohibited.
Here is a link to view additional water skiing safety tips from the California Department of Boating and Waterways.
