Since January 1st, 2015, it is mandatory to place an 12″ orange flag at the highest point of watercraft while a person is being towed, as in water skiing, acquaplane or similar.
Water Ski Flag
New Requirement When Towing Persons
Our Solution Strictly Complies
Liberty Marine Center, with over 40 years’ experience in the field, has analyzed Senate Bill 2731 (read full text below) which specifies these changes to boating safety regulations.
We offer a fully compliant solution, including two versatile Flag Holder Models, the Flag Pole and the statutory Flag in its required color and size, either separately or as a kit.
Why Liberty Marine Center
Liberty Marine is a full service dealership providing customers with everything needed for boating.
- Crestliner fishing and pleasure and Misty Harbor pontoon boat sales
- Suzuki authorized outboard motor sales and service center
- Suzuki parts
- Mercury Mercruiser “Premier Dealer”
- Mercury and Mercruiser parts
- Pre ownede and brokerage boat sales
- Complete boat trailer sales and service
- Boating accessories
- Boat Storage – inside cold, inside heated, outside
Our Flag Holder Models
2″ Flag Holder Model A
Mounts just under tow swivel
2″ Flag Holder Model B
Mounts on any 2″ round support
In Detail: New Towing / Water Ski Orange Flag Requirement in Illinois
The new regulation’s official text about the orange flag pole in Illinois is as follows (modified text is crossed out, new text is underlined):
Public Act 098-0697
SB2731 Enrolled LRB098 17464 MLW 52568 b
AN ACT concerning transportation.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The Boat Registration and Safety Act is amended by changing Section 5-14 as follows:
(625 ILCS 45/5-14) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 315-9) Sec. 5-14. Towing of Persons. Water Skiing.
A. No person may operate a motorboat that has in tow or is otherwise assisting a person on water skis, an aquaplane, or a similar contrivance in or upon any waterway, unless the motorboat has a capacity of at least 3 persons and is occupied by at least 2 competent persons.
B. No person may operate a motorboat having in tow or otherwise be assisting a person on water skis, aquaplane or similar contrivance from the period of one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise. This paragraph B does not apply to motorboats used in duly authorized water ski tournaments, competitions, exhibitions or trials therefore where adequate lighting is provided.
C. All persons operating a motorboat having in tow or otherwise assisting a person on water skis, aquaplane or similar contrivance, must be careful and prudent in their operation and keep at a reasonable distance from persons and property so as not to endanger the life or property of any person.
D. No person may operate or manipulate any vessel, tow rope or other device by which the direction or location of water skis, aquaplane, or similar device may be affected or controlled in such a way as to cause the water skis, aquaplane, or similar device, or any persons thereon to collide with or strike against any person or object, except ski jumps, buoys and like objects normally used in competitive or recreational skiing.
E. The operator of any watercraft that is towing a person or persons shall display on the watercraft a bright or brilliant orange flag measuring not less than 12 inches per side. The flag shall be displayed at the highest point of the area surrounding the boat’s helm as to be visible from all directions, continuously, while the person or persons being towed depart the boat in preparation for towing and until reentry into the boat when the activity has ceased. Display of the flag for purposes other than the activity described in this Section is prohibited.
(Source: P.A. 90-412, eff. 1-1-98.)
Effective Date: 1/1/2015