Ticket For Rider Going Around Buoy?

Received a "Speed & Distance" operating citation today. DNR official said our rider cut around a 300 foot buoy and into the "protected" space. Said the rider constituted an extension of the boat, so that means the boat went into an area it shouldn't have, hence the citation.

He couldn't tell us where it said that in the state boating regulations, told us we'd need to ask his boss. Is this legit?

I've ridden for a lot of years, and I've frequently had riders (including myself) go into the "off limits" areas close to shore by cutting out, or ducking outside a buoy to avoid hitting it after a landing. I've never heard of anyone getting a ticket for it.

Anyone heard of this?

Wow, sorry but I have never heard of that (even though I have done that as well) we've even been pulled over and warned that the automatic flag option on my friends Xstar is against the law for a rider down flag (and we had an observer pushing the button) definitely some random rules of the water out there...

Don't ride around the bouys... Ollie them!

I know I've heard the person you are towing is an extension of you --- mainly comes into play with tubers (they have no control) so if you're whipping them around and getting too close to shore/other boats you can be ticketed it.... when its a skiier/wakeboarder its kind of a grey area to me, they have enough control (most of the time) to keep out of harms way.

What state are you in? I know that in FL, all tickets require that the statute is listed along w/ the infraction. Easy solution would be to google the statute and see if there is mention of the protected space, what constitutes a boat, etc. If you want to message me I'll help you out.