Water-skiing and wake-boarding permit conditions
This document sets out the Conditions of a Water Skiing and Wakeboarding Permit and is for reference purposes.
A Permit will be issued under Section 27 of the Broads Authority Act 2009 and will authorise the Permit Holder to navigate an Authorised Vessel for the purpose of towing a water skier (or wakeboarder) in the zones and at the times specified in Appendix 1, provided that this is in accordance with the conditions.
A Permit will be issued on the basis that the Authorised Vessel has a block area of no more than 13m2, has a planing hull, and does not have permanent covered accommodation.
The following Permit definitions apply:
"Authorised Vessel" means a vessel described in Part 1 of the Schedule
"Authorised Person" means the persons named in Part 2 of the Schedule
"Kill Cord" means a device to automatically stop the engine of the Authorised Vessel if the person navigating the Vessel leaves the helm
The "Authority" means the Broads Authority
The "Permit Holder" means the person named above
The "2009 Act" means the Broads Authority Act 2009
Conditions
1. This Permit runs from to unless cancelled earlier by the Authority under Condition 20 of this Permit.
2. This Permit is personal to the Permit Holder and is not transferable.
3. This Permit does not permit anyone other than the Permit Holder and the Authorised Persons to navigate the Authorised Vessel.
4. The Permit Holder and any Authorised Person must:-
(a) Throughout the period of this Permit each maintain a policy of insurance in respect of any liability referred to in paragraph 2 of Schedule 3 to the 2009 Act in the sum of £2,000,000.
(b) On written request from an Officer of the Authority to do so, produce to the Authority evidence of the insurance cover referred to in Condition 4(a).
5 (a). The Permit Holder and any Authorised Person must throughout the period of this Permit:-
(i) Each be a member of both the Eastern Rivers Ski Club and the British Water Ski Federation.
(ii) Except where Permit Condition 5 (b) applies, only tow water skiers or wakeboarders who are members of such clubs.
(b) Condition 5(a)(ii) does not apply in respect of water skiers and wakeboarders who are towed up to a maximum of 4 occasions in the period covered by this Permit.
6. The Permit Holder and any Authorised Person must throughout the period of this Permit each hold a current British Water Ski Boat Driver Award or similar award or qualification approved by the Authority following consultation with the British Water Ski Federation.
7. (a) Whilst in use for the purpose of water skiing or wakeboarding the Authorised Vessel must display in the approved position a set of registration marks at a minimum height of 225mm (9 inches) and of a type, colour and material approved by the Authority.
(b) For this purpose, "approved position" means on each side of the bow and at the after end of the vessel so as to be visible from astern.
8. The Authorised Vessel must not be used pursuant to this Permit if, following its issue, either:-
(a) A material change is made to it or to its systems which in either case may affect the generation of wash or noise from the vessel, unless that change has been approved by The Authority; or
(b) A change is made to the vessel that either increases its block area to more than 13m2 or involves the provision of a planning hull or permanent covered accommodation.
9. The Authorised Vessel must have completed and passed a Wash and Noise Test of a type approved by the Authority and complying with the pass criteria set out in Appendix 2 to this Permit.
10. (a) The Authorised Vessel must be subjected to an annual test (which complies with the methodology set out in Appendix 3 of this Permit) carried out by a person approved by the Authority which verifies that:
(i) The steering system of the vessel is in good condition and fit for purpose and,
(ii) The Kill Cord functions correctly.
(b) The Permit Holder must produce to the Authority on request details of the test carried out under condition 10(a).
11. The Permit Holder and any Authorised Person must not permit the use of ballast or excessive weight in the vessel or carry passengers in excess of the manufacturer's recommendations.
12. The Permit Holder and any Authorised Person must not cause an Authorised Vessel to make any sustained wave, against a bank, of more than 300mm (12 ins) in height from trough to crest.
13. (a) The Permit Holder must:-
(i) Maintain and keep up to date a log book issued by the Authority in respect of the use by the Permit Holder and any Authorised Person of the Authorised Vessel under this Permit.
(ii) Keep the log book on the Authorised Vessel whilst being used by the Permit Holder and any Authorised Person under this Permit.
(iii) Produce the log book on request to any officer of the Authority.
(iv) Return the log book to the Authority at the end of the period covered by this Permit or upon its cancellation if earlier.
(b) Any Authorised Person whilst navigating the Authorised Vessel under this Permit must produce the log book on request to any officer of the Authority.
14. The Permit Holder and any Authorised Person must navigate the Authorised Vessel with care and caution.
15. The Permit Holder and any Authorised Person must not navigate the Authorised Vessel unless there is also on board at least one person to provide assistance during towing.
16. The Permit Holder and any Authorised Person must not at any time navigate the Authorised Vessel so as to tow more than two persons.
17. The Permit Holder and any Authorised Person must ensure that any water skier or wakeboarder being towed remains in or on the water at all times during towing.
18. The Permit Holder and any Authorised Person must:-
(a) Use tow-ropes of equal length when towing two water skiers; and
(b) Ensure that two water skiers do not cross in front of, or behind, each other; and
(c) Not navigate the Authorised Vessel without attaching the Kill Cord to their person in a way which ensures that it will operate effectively.
19. The Authority may cancel this Permit, or amend its conditions, if:-
(a) The Permit Holder or any Authorised Person is convicted of an offence under Section 29 of the 2009 Act; or under any byelaw made by the Authority; or
(b) Condition 4 of this Permit has not been observed.
Appendices
Water Ski/ Wakeboard Zones and times