Virginia Administrative Code › Title 4 - CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES › Agency 15 - DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES › Chapter 450 - WATERCRAFT: COMMERCIAL PARASAIL OPERATIONS › Section 4VAC15-450-30 - Commercial parasailing activities

Current through Register Vol. 40, No. 24, July 15, 2024
Commercial parasailing operators shall comply with the
				  following provisions:
1. All
				commercial parasail operators shall have a valid Coast Guard License for
				carrying passengers for hire.
2.
				Vessels engaged in parasailing operations must be equipped with a rear
				launchplatform and direct launch and recovery hydraulic winch system used to
				pay out and reel in the towline.
3.
				Prior to leaving the dock, all passengers and parasail participants shall be
				required to view a parasail safety briefing video and/or be given a written
				parasail safety briefing handout. Briefing materials shall be consistent with
				information approved or provided by the Professional Association of Parasail
				Operators (PAPO).
4. Parasailing
				shall only be conducted from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour
				after sunset.
5. All parasail
				riders, when attached to the harness of a parasail canopy, shall wear a United
				States Coast Guard approved Type I, II, or III inherently buoyant noninflatable
				personal flotation device that is in serviceable condition and of the proper
				size. The rider must be secured in a seat harness attached to an ascending type
				of parachute that is connected to the towline.
6. All parasailing operations shall include,
				in addition to the operator of the vessel, an observer 18 years or older at all
				times to monitor the progress of an airborne parasail rider and
				parachute.
7. All parasailing
				towing vessels when operating more than 1,000 feet from shore shall be equipped
				with a VHF radio that is in working order and tuned to Channel 16.
8. Parasailing shall be prohibited when there
				are sustained winds in excess of 20 mph/17.5 knots and/or seas in excess of six
				feet in the area of operation.
9.
				Parasail operation towlines shall not exceed 1,200 feet in total length on the
				vessel's winch drum or exceed 1,000 feet of towline from boat to canopy yoke
				while conducting parasail flight operations. All commercial towlines must have
				a minimum diameter of 3/8 inches, be a maximum length of 1,200 feet, and have a
				minimum tensile strength of 4,800 lbs. An in-service date shall be logged
				whenever new line is installed.
10.
				Parasail operators shall inspect the towline in its entirety daily for damage
				and/or wear and, if necessary, shall immediately replace the line. A minimum of
				two feet shall be trimmed from the towline bitter end within a maximum period
				of seven days or every 400 flights or as may become necessary. The towline
				shall be kept clean and well maintained in accordance with manufacturers'
				specifications, requirements, and/or recommendations. A written log of such
				inspections and maintenance shall be kept at all times.
11. Parasail vessel operators shall at all
				times maintain a safe parasail chute distance from any surf-zone, shoreline, or
				fixed object when engaged in actual parasail operations. This includes all of
				the following:
(i) the canopy shall not be
				allowed to pass within three times the length of the towline from shore or any
				structure,
(ii) when the wind has
				an onshore component, the canopy's minimum distance from shore is a function of
				wind speed as follows: either 1,000 feet or a sliding distance based on wind
				speed (0-5 mph - 600 feet, 6-10 mph - 1,000 feet, 11-15 mph - 1,800 feet, 16-20
				mph - 2,400 feet).