1. Passengers must be able to swim and carry an individual buoyancy aid belt of red, green, yellow, or orange color. The buoyancy aid should be smooth, soft, and free from any attachments or materials that could cause injury in case of a fall.
2. The individual buoyancy aid belt has the capability to keep the person wearing it afloat on the water's surface. The use of inflatable life vests is prohibited.
3. The vessel is a speedboat, equipped with sufficient power to tow the floating ring with the passengers. Specifically, the vessel carries an additional metal fuel container with a safety cap and a capacity of at least three (3) liters or a reserve tank of equivalent content.
4. The towing rope is of appropriate diameter, length, and material for safely towing the inflatable marine recreational device.
5. The point of attachment of the rope from the vessel to the floating ring is in excellent condition and able to withstand the force created by the speed of the vessel, which must not exceed twenty-five (25) knots.
6. Conducting a marine recreational tow is prohibited under adverse weather conditions, as well as before sunrise and after sunset, unless otherwise specified in the present regulations and the already issued approvals granted according to the procedure of Article 36 of General Port Regulation No. 20 (Government Gazette 444/26-4-1999), as it was in force before the implementation of paragraph 3 of Article 74 of Law 4504/2017, or approved or will be approved according to paragraph 3 of Article 74 of Law 4504/2017. Renting marine recreational equipment is prohibited when: a) wind intensity exceeds five Beaufort or thirty-eight kilometers per hour; b) visibility is limited. Additionally, lessors must have a portable digital anemometer at the place of their operation, and its indications are taken into account for the implementation of paragraph a) of Article 1. The operator of the speedboat used for the marine recreational tow must check the weather before and during the entire duration of the tow.
7. The vessel carries two (2) people, one of whom is the operator who possesses the qualifications specified in paragraph II of Article 23 of General Port Regulation No. 20. Specifically, the operator must: a) hold a water skiing instructor license of any category from the General Secretariat of Sports (GSS) or have a degree in Physical Education and Sports Science with a specialization in water skiing or hold a water skiing instructor license whose validity was certified under the provisions of General Port Regulation No. 37 (Government Gazette B' 101/2004), and the holder of the license has previously practiced with the permission of the Port Authority the profession of the lessor or provided services to lessees of marine recreational means towed by speedboats. The validity of the instructor's license is determined by its issuer. b) hold a speedboat operator's license. In case the application does not concern the leasing of marine recreational means towed by speedboats, this provision comes into effect on January 1, 2020. The same qualifications are required for the assistants involved in water skiing, parasailing, kiteboarding, towable tubing, or any similar activity (involving towing by speedboat).
8. The obligations of the operators and owners of high-speed vessels apply similarly to the high-speed vessels used for performing sea towing. Specifically:
1.High-speed vessel operators must: a) Prohibit the boarding of individuals who do not know how to swim or those under the influence of alcohol or toxic substances. b) Prohibit the boarding of individuals whose number exceeds the capacity stated on the prescribed certificate of seaworthiness. c) Prohibit passengers from standing or sitting on the gunwale of the vessel. d) Operate the vessel with great care, avoiding dangerous maneuvers, prioritizing navigation safety, and preventing pollution of the sea and coasts. e) Carry on board the original high-speed vessel operator's license, the original certificate of seaworthiness, and a copy of the insurance policy, which must be presented upon request by competent Port Authorities. f) Carry the required equipment for their category, such as rescue and firefighting gear. All equipment must be suitable for immediate use, and none of the equipment should be past its expiration date. g) In case the high-speed vessel does not have a fuel gauge, carry an additional suitable fuel container with a safety cap and a capacity of at least three liters, or have an additional tank with equivalent capacity. h) Comply with the specific regulations of the port, decisions, orders, and instructions issued by the Port Authorities in the waters they navigate, including those related to anchoring, mooring, or prohibition of movement for specific reasons, especially during designated quiet hours. i) In the event of an accident involving another vessel or individual, they must remain at the scene and provide any necessary assistance. They are also required to report the accident immediately to the Port Authority. j) Prohibit navigation: i) Within a distance of less than one hundred meters from the outer part of the buoys mentioned in Article 26. ii) Within a distance of less than two hundred meters from the usual point where swimmers reach, in unmarked sea areas. iii) At a speed exceeding five knots within a distance of less than two hundred meters from the shoreline in areas where there are no swimmers, regardless of the circumstances. iv) When adverse weather conditions prevail.
2.High-speed vessel owners must: a) Ensure the good maintenance and proper appearance of their vessels. b) Comply with their obligations regarding vessel inspections. c) Clearly display on the stern of their vessels the name, port, and registration number in the Small Craft Registration Book (B.E.M.S.), or logbook, or ship register. d) Ensure that the vessel is equipped with the required certificate of seaworthiness and the vessel's insurance. The certificate of seaworthiness and a copy of the insurance policy must be valid, kept on board, and presented upon request by Port Authority personnel. e) Prohibit the use of their vessels by individuals who do not hold a high-speed vessel operator's license, according to Article 3, or individuals under the influence of alcohol or toxic substances. f) Equip their vessels with the required gear for their category, such as rescue and firefighting equipment. All equipment must be suitable for immediate use, and none of the equipment should be past its expiration date.
3.In the case of leasing a high-speed vessel, the lessor must comply with the obligations of paragraph 2, and the lessee must comply with the obligations of paragraph 1.
4.The leasing of a high-speed vessel is prohibited: a) When adverse weather conditions prevail. b) Before sunrise and after sunset. c) When the vessel's engine malfunctions or ceases to function.
5.Departure from and return to the shore with the leased high-speed vessel is permitted only within the defined corridor of Article 27, at the lowest possible speed according to the vessel's construction type. The purpose is to ensure the safety of swimmers until the point at sea where the provisions of paragraph 1, subparagraph i) do not apply.
9. Passengers on the towed ring must be at least sixteen (16) years old and not exceed the number of positions with corresponding handholds. For younger individuals, boarding is allowed with the consent of the parent or legal guardian, provided that the minor knows how to swim.
10. The route of the vessel towing the ring must be free of shallows, rocks, anchored or passing vessels to prevent accidents.
11. Each high-speed vessel is allowed to tow up to four single-seater marine inflatable devices or two double-seater marine inflatable devices or one triple-seater or one quadruple-seater or one quintuple-seater or one sextuple-seater marine inflatable device. In the case of towing more than one marine inflatable device, the towlines of these devices must have the same length.
12. Conducting (towing) the marine ring is prohibited within: a) One hundred meters from the outer part of the buoys mentioned in Article 26. In cases where specific characteristics of the area, such as small coves, allow for a decision by the committee mentioned in Article 35, this distance may be set below one hundred meters but not less than fifty meters, and the relevant decision will be recorded on the lease permit. b) Two hundred meters from the usual point where swimmers reach in unmarked sea areas. c) In any case, within a distance of less than two hundred meters from the shoreline in sea areas where there are no swimmers. In cases of specific characteristics of the area (e.g., small coves), after a decision by the Committee mentioned in Article 35, this distance may be set below two hundred meters. The corresponding notation will be made on the permit.
13. Departure from and return to the shore with the high-speed vessel used by the lessor when towing a marine inflatable device is allowed only within the defined corridor of Article 27 and at the lowest possible speed, as specified in the vessel's construction type, to ensure the safety of swimmers until the point at sea where the provisions of paragraph 6 do not apply.
14.1Every high-speed vessel used for towing rented marine recreational devices, except for marine parachutes, must have a minimum overall length of five meters, a minimum weight with the engine and equipment of six hundred kilograms, and its engine must have the following minimum power in horsepower, depending on its type:
a) Outboard engine 100 HP, or b) Inboard engine 140 HP, or c) Inboard-outboard engine 160 HP.
14.2 High-speed vessels used for towing marine recreational devices must have the required certificates of seaworthiness for their category, and their details are listed in the approval for the lease of marine recreational devices, along with the marine recreational devices being towed. Holders of more than one approval for the lease of marine recreational devices are allowed to use the same high-speed vessel for towing, provided that the committee of Article 35 has previously approved this use.
14.3 In each high-speed vessel towing a marine recreational device, a mirror of sufficient size is placed forward of the main position of the tiller. The exact position of the mirror is determined by the vessel's operator to have a complete and continuous visual image of the towed marine recreational device and the individuals being towed.
14.3 The operator of a high-speed vessel used for towing marine recreational devices must, in any case, comply with the instructions of the manufacturer of the towed marine recreational devices regarding their safe use.
14.4 In the high-speed vessel towing a rented marine recreational device for private use, there must be at least two persons on board. The operator of the vessel must know how to swim, possess a license to operate a high-speed vessel, and meet the qualifications of subpara. aa) of para. 1 of Article 3 of the joint decision No. 2131.4/64444/2021 of the Ministers of Finance, Development and Investments, Environment and Energy, Shipping and Island Policy, "Determination of the procedure, terms and conditions, supporting documents, fees, and penalties for the approval of the lease of marine recreational devices." The second person must be at least eighteen years old and know how to swim. Specifically, in the case of performing water skiing, the operator of the high-speed vessel is responsible for determining the age of the second person on board, and that person must be at least eighteen years old and know how to swim. In the case of having more than two persons on board, all passengers must know how to swim.
15.In the high-speed vessel towing a marine recreational device for private use, there must be at least two persons on board. The operator of the high-speed vessel must know how to swim, possess a license to operate a high-speed vessel, and meet the qualifications of subpara. aa) of para. 1 of Article 3 of the joint decision No. 2131.4/64444/2021 of the Ministers of Finance, Development and Investments, Environment and Energy, Shipping and Island Policy, "Determination of the procedure, terms and conditions, supporting documents, fees, and penalties for the approval of the lease of marine recreational devices." The second person must be at least eighteen years old and know how to swim. In particular cases where water skiing is performed, and the operator of the high-speed vessel does not meet the qualifications of subpara. aa) of para. 1 of Article 3 of the joint decision No. 2131.4/64444/2021 of the Ministers of Finance, Development and Investments, Environment and Energy, Shipping and Island Policy, "Determination of the procedure, terms and conditions, supporting documents, fees, and penalties for the approval of the lease of marine recreational devices," they must have a license to operate a high-speed vessel for at least five years. In the case of the preceding paragraph, the operator of the vessel must carry, throughout the duration of the towing, a responsible declaration of the person being towed, as defined in Article 8 of Law No. 1599/1986, stating that they know how to water ski. If more than two persons are on board the high-speed vessel towing the marine recreational device for private use, all passengers must know how to swim.

Tow sports include a range of diverse activities that require different skill levels. Surprisingly, tow sports that require the least amount of skill, such as water tubing and banana boating can actually be more dangerous due to the lack of control riders have.
Water skiing, which includes wakeboarding, barefooting, trick skiing and other similar forms, requires responsible co-operation between several people: a boat driver, a spotter, and the skier or rider. Many elements are at play in safety: the skier, other nearby water users, safe handling of the tow boat and tow rope, and safety of other passengers who may be aboard the boat.

Why tow sports can be risky for children and youth?
Water skiing is an exciting pastime that families can enjoy together. Yet poor technique and lower body weight can contribute to a higher incidence of water skiing injuries to children. The most common accident scenarios include falls into water, collisions with other skiers or objects, being struck by a boat propeller, or becoming entangled in tow
lines. Common injuries include rectal, vaginal, and tympanic membrane (eardrum) injuries. Inflatables pose a particular risk precisely because no skill is required, which (a) leads caregivers to falsely think young children can ride safely despite inexperience, and (b) prevents the riders from being able to practice any self-protective
measures. Many injuries are caused by tow boat drivers misjudging distances, causing the inflatable and its riders to swing uncontrollably into boats, piers, and other objects. Multiple rider inflatables also pose a risk because the riders strike against each other when the inflatable jumps or turns, which can cause serious head injuries.

Recommendations for water ski equipment rental and operation
Skiers/Riders
● All skiers and riders must be able to swim well.
● All skiers and riders must understand and be able to use the common hand signals.
● Use of a personal flotation device (PFD) should be required for children and youth at all times.
● Beginners should only ski in enclosed, calmer waters without other users nearby.
● In cool waters, a wetsuit should be worn, and even in warmer waters a half body suit is recommended to help minimise abrasion injuries.
● Girls should be advised to always wear at least a half suit to prevent injury through water enema.
● Renters should have previous adequate training which they can demonstrate by answering questions regarding techniques and rules.
● Water recreation helmets and grip gloves are recommended for children and youth by instructors when nessecary.
● Inflatable riders should never attempt to grab the tow rope.
Tow boat drivers
● Tow boat drivers must have the proper license according to the Greek legislation (Article 22 paragraph 2i of the General Regulation of the Port Authority No. 20). Specifically they should have:

Coach licence of any category on waterskiing issued by the General Secretariat of Sports and at least 2 years speedboat driver license or
Coach licence on waterskiing issued by the University of Physical Education and Sport Science and at least 1 year speedboat driver license or
a valid license of trainer in waterskiing, which had been certified based on the provisions General Regulation of Port authority. No. 37 (FEK 101 / 2004) and the owner of the license must have previously exercised, with the permission of the Port Authority, this profession (speedboat driver for tow sports). The validity of the instructor license is determined by the issuer.
● Drivers should team with a spotter, whose duty is to at all times monitor the skier, the tow rope, and the area for dangers.
● Motor propeller strikes are the leading cause of serious injury to water-skiers.
● The driver should not allow other passengers to sit on the sides of the boat.
● Water should be a minimum of 1 metre deep, and the skier should never be released in shallow waters.
● Drivers should observe more conservative speed limits when towing children, not in excess of 25 knots.
● Drivers towing inflatables should maintain conservative speeds to take slow wide turns.
●Drivers should never attempt to let an inflatable wake jump or to “whip” the riders with sharp turns.

What safety factors to look for in choosing and maintaining equipment for your operation?
Equipment (including boat, tow rope, skis, bindings and medical and communications equipment) should be checked daily. Tow lines should be washed down with clean water daily to prevent wear from sea or lake water elements. Wet suits should be cleaned and disinfected with a nonallergenic cleanser between users.

Staff Preparedness
● Always have at least 2 staff member present – one to speak with clients and handle training, and the other to assist in launch and landing activity and to monitor the water at all the times.
● Be sure that your staff members are trained in CPR and first aid.
● Have a rescue boat or PWC available so that skiers and riders in danger can be reached quickly if no water rescue service is in the immeidate vicinity.
● Be sure all staff members, whether on shore or in water, can communicate with each other via VHF radios or a similiar device.
● All staff members should be able to clearly communicate the risks and safety rules to clients. A language barrier could pose a problem should an accident occur, both in terms of immediate medical care and liability for having failed to properly communicate the rules.
● Staff should very regularly check reliable sources regarding wind and surf conditions.

*Source : European Child Safety Alliance, Eurosafe; 2008.- With the support of the European Commission