Skier Down Flag Law in Illinois

Article Regarding Proposed Skier Down Flag Law

Illinois State Lawmakers are pushing a plan forward to enact a law where all boaters pulling a skier would be required to raise a flag when their skier has fallen. Not a big fan of the state rep pushing this forward and the accident she is citing to have prompted the move is a horrible example of why it should happen.

The whole thing stinks, a tuber makes an absolutely horrible decision to pull his kid across a highway of boats in a virtual rush hour and the entire waterskiing community could ultimately be affected.

Really would hate to be forced to do the flag thing, don't really see how it would add any element of safety and just think it's a bad idea all the way around.

Morfoot wrote: Why not concentrate on laws on boats following too close to people being towed.

Exactly. There are laws in place already to keep other boats far enough away, but that's also assuming the towboat doesn't get too far away from downed skier. A flag will not fix this.

Typical knee jerk reaction,we have to do something let's make it a law! While it was a terrible thing that happened, a flag would not have stopped or even helped. I cannot comment on the Lake County end but I do know in the McHenry County end of the chain, the laws in place now are not enforced. The only way to get stopped is when you don't have the user fee sticker displayed.We had better start writing our reps

the next level of this law would probably include a ski helmet with a M.O.B. light and gps tracking with auto deploy head to surface flares. these law makers should come visit the off shoreline here and see how many boats fly over or close to diver in the water flags .

Like I said Brian the laws they have on the books now are not enforced,their is one for drinking,drugs are last time I checked too but yet they come up with this?? It's just to feel good. Let's punish the innocent. We have noise limits too,never have seen anyone out checking,there are times we can't hear the tv and we are 100ft and across a road from the water. Illinois is dead set on driving everyone out with their goofy ideas.

quinner wrote: Really though I just don't get it, how does it add any element of safety?

Easy. All the FIB's that aren't going already will head to WI.

X2

If it came this way it really wouldn't affect most of my skiing anyway. I rarely tow in Illinois with enforcement on the water. That doesn't mean I wouldn't mind it though.

Hmmm, only raise it when a skier has fallen? Sounds a bit odd.
I like the flag law on Lake Springfield and other lakes in Illinois, but that law requires that you fly a flag any time you are pulling. My brother and I have found that the considerate boaters (the majority on Lake Springfield) see the flag and give you and your skier more room and try to stay away. I typically fly one when I tow for that reason and have had a good reception. To only raise it when a skier is down is contrary to most flag laws and may be confusing to people accustomed to abiding by them. I don't see where it is a real inconvenience when used at all times. Good skiers are easy to spot.
I had an idiot run over my tow rope at full speed while my daughter was in the water a few years back and there were only a few boats on the lake.

John B, it's actually illegal to have the flag up when towing in California. Else, people would just put it up and leave it up all day. Wouldn't mean much. I know that to be the case in Kansas as well. I haven't checked the other 11 states that have flag laws.

Andy, I think you can outlaw stupidity, that's kind of what this law attempts to do. But, I agree with you tht you can't eliminate stupidity. We put the flag out when we stop for a swim as well. Around here it's enforced antime someone is on the platform, or in the water. Also agree that it probably saves as many ropes as anything.

Side note, you will find out quickly how stupid your non-boating friends are. Give them a simple task to raise the flag, when the skier is in the water. Guarantee you find them drinking a beer, fiddling with the stereo, staring at girls in another boat. You'll have to tell them all day long "put the flag up." Then, give the flag to an 8 year old. They'll treat it like a life or death responsiblity, every time. So what did California do, they raised the age of those who can do flag duty to 12 years old. Go figure.

BKH

If I recall the guy that ran over the child had coke and alcohol in his system, don't think he was in any shape to see anything anyway.While I cannot imagine what the parents went thru,and feel bad for them, I question why they chose to go out when and where they did. Im sure it goes without saying if they had to do it all over---
"Encompassing more than 7,100 acres (29 km2) of water, 488 miles (785 km) of shoreline and 45 miles (72 km) of river, the Chain is the busiest inland recreational waterway per acre in the United States".

I'll bet no one even heard about this one,I guess when you do it to
yourself it's ok. Maybe every pier needs lights. Rumor has it this
guy,who did not survive,had something in his system too. And to think the 25mph night time law did not prevent this Pier on the left
is what he hit first.

I've heard that some law enforcement frowns on using the flag for swimming.

I forgot to say it's also up if you have a ski or other device in the water.

The flag is about towing...not swimming, I understand why people do it but it's better to swim where you don't need to warn others with the flag or it will start to get ignored.

Gary S wrote: If I recall the guy that ran over the child had coke and alcohol in his system, don't think he was in any shape to see anything anyway.While I cannot imagine what the parents went thru,and feel bad for them, I question why they chose to go out when and where they did. Im sure it goes without saying if they had to do it all over--- "Encompassing more than 7,100 acres (29 km2) of water, 488 miles (785 km) of shoreline and 45 miles (72 km) of river, the Chain is the busiest inland recreational waterway per acre in the United States".

Because it's the "busiest" is exactly why you need the flag.

Gary S wrote: Typical knee jerk reaction,we have to do something let's make it a law! While it was a terrible thing that happened, a flag would not have stopped or even helped. I cannot comment on the Lake County end but I do know in the McHenry County end of the chain, the laws in place now are not enforced. The only way to get stopped is when you don't have the user fee sticker displayed.We had better start writing our reps

Lake Oconee GA has 374 miles of shoreline and is typically deserted so not an issue, and I've never once seen any form of law enforcement craft, but gotta ask...what is a "user fee sticker"???

74Wind wrote: Gary S wrote: Typical knee jerk reaction,we have to do something let's make it a law! While it was a terrible thing that happened, a flag would not have stopped or even helped. I cannot comment on the Lake County end but I do know in the McHenry County end of the chain, the laws in place now are not enforced. The only way to get stopped is when you don't have the user fee sticker displayed.We had better start writing our reps Lake Oconee GA has 374 miles of shoreline and is typically deserted so not an issue, and I've never once seen any form of law enforcement craft, but gotta ask...what is a "user fee sticker"???

The user fee pays for the nearly $4,000,000 budget to maintain and provide patrol and emergency services to the chain. It is a user fee that to me seems more fair than passing the costs on to those taxpayers who may never ride in a boat and may not have extra money in their personal budgets to subsidize our boating habit.
Fox Waterway Agency budget