Safety Manuel for participating Water Ski and Wakesports (Jan 2022)

Introduction

The safety aspects of waterskiing, wakeboarding, wakesurfing and boating in Hong Kong’s sometimes crowded waters cannot be over emphasized. A little common sense and courtesy for your fellow water users will prove invaluable. Here are just a few reminders for particpants, drivers, observers and passengers alike.

Hand Signals

Hand signals provide communication between the participants and the boat driver

Participants

  1. Towed Water Sports prohibited in speed restricted zones
  2. Do not participate in shallow water, minimum safe depth is 2m
  3. Do not participate directly towards jetties/boats, always ski parallel leaving plenty of space, always play safe

A. Equipment

Boat equipment required by law:
  1. Life jackets for each passenger
  2. Life buoy(s) & 18 meter buoyant rope
  3. Bucket & fire extinguishers
  4. Boat must be licensed & insured

B. Participant’s equipment:

  1. Participants must wear qualified ski vests (flotation jackets)
  2. Ski-gloves are advisable to improve grip and avoid blisters
  3. Wet suits are recommended in winter
  4. Helmets should be worn when ski jumping or racing

Drivers/Observers/Passengers

Boat Drivers
  • The driver must hold or be under the supervision of a person or persons on the boat in possession of an Operator’s certificate for pleasure vessels and suitable for the vessel in which he/she is command i.e. Operator Grade 2: Vessels of 15m (49.2 ft) or less; Operator Grade 1: Vessels of unlimited length
  • At no time should the driver overload the vessel with passengers
  • If the athlete is in the water and the boat is less than 3 meters away from the athlete, the engine should be turned off.
  • The driver should look ahead at all times and give a wide berth to other boats and obstacles
  • Use a rear-view mirror
  • Be alert to the observer’s instructions
The Observer
It is compulsory in HK for an observer to be onboard the boat when someone is participating
  • Watch the participant, keeping the driver informed in the event that the participant falls
  • Notify the driver of the participant’s hand signals
  • Assist the driver in staying clear of other boats, obstacles and participants
  • Retrieve the rope from the water as soon as the participant finishes so as not to cause a hazard to other vessels
Passengers
  • Boat seats are made to sit in
  • Never sit on the bow, gunwale, mid-deck or transom whilst the boat is in motion
  • Never stand up in the boat when the motor is in gear
  • No more than the licensed number of passengers should be onboard
  • To ensure weight is evenly distributed and the balance of the boat, passengers should sit evenly on two sides of boat as instructed by the boat driver and instructor.
Falling Tips
  • Falls in towed water sports are generally not dangerous. Tucking in the limbs and body with hands covering the head will reduce the chances of bodily strains or sprains. Remember the faster the boat is travelling the harder the potential fall.
  • On every fall participant must use the approved signal to show he/she is all right. If this signal is not seen, the boat driver and others should come to the rescue or assistance immediately.
Driving Tips
  • When the athlete falls in the water, it is inappropriate and dangerous to back the boat for picking up. The driver will observe and evaluate his/her condition, then drive the boat to approach the athlete. To ensure immediate assistance to athlete who may get injured or in danger, as well as in threat from other boats nearby, it is suggested to retrieve him/her from the water swiftly and safely first and the board afterwards. At the same time, people on boat can throw him/ her a rope to reduce their physical exertion.
  • Even with an observer and a mirror there are many occasions when the driver should glance around at his/her participants. In fact, the driver’s head and eyes should be moving constantly, checking the participants and the immediate surrounding water, especially when there is heavy boat and participating traffic in the same area.
  • Participants, drivers and observers are recommended to save alcoholic drink until completing towed water sports.
Please also refer to updated Marine Department Notice  https://www.mardep.gov.hk/en/publication/materials/pdf/hps_speed_limit.pdf 
Ref. OFFICIAL SAFETY MANUAL AND POLICY HANDBOOK by IWWF

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