Under Florida law, when towing a water-skier, the boat must have either:

• An observer onboard whose sole responsibility is to watch the person being towed and communicate with the boat operator, or
• A wide-angle rearview mirror installed on the vessel to allow the operator to keep the skier in view at all times.

The observer and the operator must be two different people if an observer is used

. Additionally, every person being towed on water skis or other aquaplaning devices is required to wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved, non-inflatable personal flotation device (PFD), such as a Type I, II, or III life jacket

. Other important legal requirements include:

• Displaying a divers-down flag when a person is in the water preparing to ski or returning to the boat

• Water skiing is only allowed from ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset; it is prohibited at night

• It is illegal to tow a skier dangerously close to fixed objects or other vessels

• The boat operator must be familiar with Florida boating laws and hold a boating safety education card if born after January 1, 1988

In summary, the essential items onboard a boat towing a water-skier in Florida are:

• An observer or a wide-angle rearview mirror
• USCG-approved non-inflatable life jackets for all skiers
• A divers-down flag (to signal skier in water)
• Communication device (recommended for safety)

These requirements ensure the safety of the skier, boat operator, and others on the water