ABOUT US

1. Rules of the Road
1.1 Boats going down river should keep to the southern half (right).
Boats going up river should keep to the northern half (right).
1.2 Two powerboats meeting head on shall alter course to “starboard” (right).
1.3 Two powerboats crossing: the vessel, which has the other on her starboard side,
shall give way.
1.4 Power and sailing vessels; the powerboat shall give way.
1.5 Vessels overtaking shall keep well clear of an overtaken vessel.
1.6 Vessels in narrow channels; every powerboat shall, when it is safe and practicable,
keep to that side of the fairway (e.g. entrance to harbour) which lies on her starboard
side.

2. Safety
2.1 Boat owners must have their boat registered with the Club’s Boats and Safety
Officer and immediately advise of any changes. A copy of current boat insurance
must be produced annually to the Safety Officer or at any time on the Safety Officer’s
request.
2.2 All boats shall display a registration number as determined by the Committee
2.3 All boats must carry a minimum of £1m Third Party Insurance Cover.
2.4 All boats operating from the Club must have at least one person in the boat who
holds the club’s “Certificate of Knowledge of the Upper Tay and Water Ski Safety”.
2.5 No person shall operate a boat or water ski in a reckless or negligent manner.
2.6 All powerboats towing water skiers shall be occupied by two competent persons:
thus enabling the driver to concentrate on navigation and the water ahead, whilst the
second person is responsible for watching the skier and relaying his signals to the driver.
2.7 All persons in the boat must wear either a wet suit, dry suit or a buoyancy aid.
2.8 No person operating a powerboat towing a skier shall allow any person to ride or sit
on the gunwales or decking of the vessel while underway.
2.9 All powerboats towing skiers shall be operated in a careful and prudent manner and
at a reasonable distance from persons and property so as not to endanger the life
or limb or the property of any person, with special attention to anglers.
2.10 All skiers must wear a buoyancy aid.
2.11 No boat shall follow a skier within 100 metres.
2.12 It is the responsibility of a boat which has dropped a skier to ensure that the ski
rope does not present a hazard to any other craft, either by signaling its presence or
coiling in the rope.
2.13 A skier who falls into the water must raise his or her hand to signify OK, and if boats
are in the immediate vicinity raise their ski or otherwise show their presence in the
water
2.14 All boats must carry a fire extinguisher.

3. Local Rules
3.1 The first person into the Clubhouse to start a skiing session must phone the
Harbourmaster to establish if any commercial traffic movements are expected. If any
such movements are expected then a note of the times should be entered on the
“Harbour Traffic Board” on the door to the clubhouse.
3.2 Ship on passage. Coasters can only stop with difficulty and in doing so may go
aground. Keep well out of the path of a ship on passage - hug the appropriate bank for
at least half a mile ahead of the ship. Under no circumstances cross the path of a
ship within half a mile.
3.3 Ship turning at harbour mouth. Coasters in a narrow river are very difficult to
handle. Perth harbour mouth is especially difficult. Keep well clear of a turning vessel.
Coasters will give one long blast when coming out of the harbour, but at all times it is
the responsibility of the speed boat to keep clear.
3.4 Skiers should take off down river from the ramp and in no circumstances must take
off at an angle greater than 45 degrees to the southern bank.
3.5 Skiers shall land at the steps. On releasing the skier, the boat shall continue until
the end of the dropped rope has passed the end of the launching ramp then turn into
the centre of the river to immediately retrieve the rope. Boats must keep a distance
of at least 10 metres from the pontoon when under way.
3.6 Boats launching from the Club must not ski up river of Queens Bridge.
3.7 It is not permitted to ski within the harbour.
3.8 Jetskis, PWC’s etc may not be launched or operated from the Club.

4. Vehicles and Trailers
4.1 Towing vehicles and trailers must be removed from slipways and approaches
immediately after launching.
4.2 Ski Club Members have a right to use car-parking spaces on the river frontage after
5 p.m. on weekdays and at all times at the weekend. Other spaces can also be
used provided that they are not required by the Industrial Unit tenants. At all times
ensure that you do not cause an obstruction to the Industrial Unit entrances.

5. Visitors
5.1 Club Members are responsible for informing their visitors who drive or ski with them
the rules of the Club and for ensuring that their visitors observe all Club Rules and act
in a responsible manner.

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Rules For Safe Water Skiing
DO be a good swimmer and always wear a life jacket.
DO check your equipment always, wing nuts, bindings, splinters and sharp metal.
DO understand and use approved signals between skier and observer and driver.
DO keep clear of solid obstacles - jetting, boats, mooring buoys, rocks, banks etc.
DO watch the water ahead of you at all times.
DO avoid falling forward - sit down, or if falling sideways, curl yourself into a ball.
DO always throw away the handle on falling.
DO come in slowly to land and run parallel to shore.
DO hold up your hand or ski to signal all is well after falling.
DO use an approved life jacket when jumping.
DO recovers skis quickly, they will assist you to keep afloat.
DO NOT shout “Hit it” to the driver until rope is taut and your ski tips are up.
DO NOT wrap rope around any part of the body (fingers, hand or foot)
DO NOT place any part of the body through the bridge (neck, arm or leg).
DO NOT ski in shallow water.
DO NOT ski at night.
DO NOT ski directly ahead of, or to the side of another boat.
DO NOT attempt fast landing directly towards shore - sit down if coming in too fast.
DO NOT ski in unknown waters.
DO NOT jump from a boat whilst it is moving.
Ski Boat Driver
DO have a competent observer at all times in the boat watching the skier.
DO make sure observer understands water ski signals.
DO wait for the skier’s signal and his ski tips above the water before starting.
DO give him a smooth and steady pull on take-off.
DO steer clear of other boats and floating obstacles.
DO shut off your motor before taking aboard a skier.
DO return immediately to pick up the skier.
DO always carry an extra life-jacket in the boat.
DO NOT turn sharply and put the skier in the water, gradual wide turns are the rule.
DO NOT take the skier aboard without shutting off the engine first.
DO NOT drive the boat through swimming or restricted areas.
DO NOT operate boat sitting on the side, sit in the seat.