MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Wildlife and Fisheries

By: Senator(s) Hall

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 59-21-87, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT NO OBSERVER SHALL BE REQUIRED IN A SKI BOAT EQUIPPED WITH A WIDE ANGLE, REARVIEW MIRROR; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 59-21-87, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

59-21-87. (1) No person shall operate a motorboat on any waters of this state while towing a person on water skis, or on an aquaplane or similar device, without an observer in the boat in addition to the operator. The observer shall be above ten (10) years of age. This subsection does not apply to a motorboat equipped with a wide angle, rearview mirror. * * * This subsection does not apply to a person engaged in a professional exhibition or a person participating in an official regatta, motorboat race, marine parade, tournament or exhibition.

(2) No person shall operate or manipulate any motorboat, 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 person thereon, to collide or strike against any object or person, except slalom buoys, ski jumps or like objects used normally in competitive or recreational skiing.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1999.