Bill > H3536

This bill establishes regulations for parasailing, which is defined as an activity where a person is towed by a vessel, ascends above the water, and remains suspended under a canopy or parasail. Key provisions include requiring a second person in the towing vessel to observe the towed individual, prohibiting parasailing from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise, and mandating the use of a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device. The bill also exempts professional exhibitions approved by a director and prohibits operating a parasailing vessel in a way that could cause collisions with structures like bridges or piers, or within two miles of an airport unless federally permitted. For commercial parasailing, which involves offering the activity for payment, additional requirements are imposed, such as obtaining liability insurance of at least $1 million per occurrence and $2 million annually, ensuring the vessel operator has a valid U.S. Coast Guard license to carry passengers for hire, equipping the vessel with a VHF marine radio and weather forecasting device, adhering to specific wind and visibility conditions (e.g., sustained winds not exceeding 20 mph, gusts not exceeding 25 mph, visibility of at least 0.5 mile, and no lightning storms within 7 miles), maintaining a weather log, and using parasailing equipment that is no more than 10 years old and in good condition. Violations of these commercial parasailing regulations can result in fines or imprisonment.