NASBLA Public Library

This act was originally adopted by the membership of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) on Oct. 29, 2003. However, an original provision prohibiting the use of a tow rope of 20 feet or less would have precluded the popular sport of wakesurfing. In response, during 2004, the NASBLA Committees on Law Enforcement and Boats and Associated Equipment revised the language and narrowed the act to apply to teak surfing and body surfing – water sports that pose potential dangers to the participant both because of proximity to the boat’s propeller and because of the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning. The amended act was approved by the membership on Sept. 15, 2004.

In April 2005, the NASBLA Boats & Associated Equipment and Law Enforcement committees reviewed proposed revisions to this model act as part of a larger NASBLA Model Act Review and Standardization Project, and subsequently approved this version.

In May 2007, the NASBLA Boats & Associated Equipment Committee added Section 6 [Operator Responsibility] to regulate the use of “kite tubes” and other towed devices that pose an extraordinary risk to users.

Some states add a provision to this legislation requiring new vessels and used vessels when sold to have carbon monoxide labels on the watercraft to better inform boaters of the dangers of carbon monoxide. The committee recommends those states which add this provision use American Boat and Yacht Council/National Marine Manufacturers standardized labels.

In February 2020, the NASBLA Enforcement and Training Committee accepted a charge to examine and update the 2007 model act based on new equipment and technologies in towed watersports activities. The act was adopted by membership September 28, 2021.