Mr. Piotrowski asked about what is required on boats at night when there is a need to tow one in, especially during special events. Mr. Kamerzel commented that the common sense approach is to potentially look at a regulation that a boat being towed be required to display an all-around white light or have a hand held light ready for display. The reality is, if a motorboat is proceeding to tow a boat that is displaying a light and can t recognize a tow line or a boat behind it and makes a turn to go behind it legally and all of a sudden there s a boat behind with no lights, there is potential for collision. Mr. Martin said chances are they would not have the right equipment. Mr. Piotrowski said that during special events, some boats drain all their energy using lights and radios and then find themselves stranded.
Patrol boats are usually available to assist.
Mr. Simmons added that this issue is problematic in that who is at fault. You are either going to penalize the individual who is doing the towing for improper lights or you are going to penalize the person who is disabled. The person who could assist will not because he does not have the proper tow lights. The boater will either be in violation or leave a stranded boater on the water. Mr. Simmons said he would be concerned in making a regulation on something like this.