Rules for towing sports on Lake Hopatcong

May 13, 2024| Safety

By: Larry Orlans

Some of the most popular activities on Lake Hopatcong—water skiing, wakeboarding, tubing, and wake surfing—are all considered towing sports and fall under the regulations for water skiing. In addition to all state and federal boating laws, there are specific regulations for towing sports on Lake Hopatcong.  Below are some important things to remember when engaging in towing sports on our lake. 

• Towing activities may be engaged in from sunrise to sunset only. In addition, on weekends and legal holidays, between May 15 and September 15, there are restricted areas of Lake Hopatcong where these activities are not permitted, between the hours of 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM. These areas are Byram Cove, between Raccoon Island and Prospect Point, Woodport Cove, between Prospect Point and Halsey Island, and Henderson Cove. See map below.

• The vessel that is being used for the towing must display a state of New Jersey-approved water skiing flag, which is unlike the square flag used in all other 49 states. New Jersey requires an orange TRIANGULAR pennant, 12 inches on each side. This flag MUST BE DISPLAYED at least 4 feet above the highest point on the towing vessel so that it can be seen from every direction. It should always be displayed during the towing activity, while the skier is in the water, and while the tow line is in the water and should be REMOVED from display at the end of the towing activity. 
• The person, or persons, being towed must be wearing a USCG-approved life jacket, whether they are a skier or a passenger on a tube.
• If a personal watercraft is being used as the towing vessel, it must be a 3 seater to accommodate the operator, the observer, and the skier.
• There is no age requirement for the person delegated as the observer, but the law states that person must be competent.
• The operator and the persons being towed should agree on a set of hand signals to be used to communicate with each other while underway.

• The tow line used must be between 35 and 85 feet in length, with the exception of those used for wakeboarding and wake surfing, which permit a shorter length. If pulling more than one skier or tube, be sure that the two tow lines are of exactly the same length, to prevent the longer line from choking a person on the shorter line if the lines cross.
• When retrieving a fallen skier, or bringing anyone onto your boat from the water, remember to ALWAYS turn off your engine while doing so. The propeller might still be turning, even if the engine is in neutral while running.
• Always remember that our wonderful lake is shared by many people. When conducting these fun activities, be considerate of other boaters, watch your wake at all times, and keep your distance from the shoreline and any structures.

Regulations

Specific Lake Hopatcong regulations concerning towing and other activities can be found on the NJ State Police Marine Services Bureau website under New Jersey Boating Regulations (page 47. Title 13. Chapter 82 [pdf-781kb]). All state and federal boating laws still apply. (page 35. NJ State Police Boating Safety Manual). 
 

This post is part of our Spring Safety Series. Larry Orlans is a U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Boating Safety Instructor and Auxiliary Operations Officer for Flotilla 15-10.