§ 8-20.4. Parasail ride vessel concessions.

(a)

Parasail ride vessel concessions shall operate only in locations designated as "multi-use" areas by section 8-32 of this Code after having received permission from the Galveston Beach Patrol for operations from a particular site.

(b)

A parasail ride vessel concession shall ferry participants from shore to the parasail vessel by means of personal watercraft (PWC) maintaining a headway speed until at least fifty (50) yards offshore.

(c)

A parasail ride vessel concession shall have a parasail vessel with a winch located on its stern. Parasail riders shall begin and end their parasail ride from the parasail vessel.

(d)

Before being issued a concessionaires agreement from the park board of trustees to operate a parasail ride vessel concession, concessionaire shall submit proof in a form acceptable to the park board of trustees and to the Galveston Beach Patrol of successful completion of a boating safety course approved by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Operators of both the PWC and the parasail vessel used in said concession must be at least eighteen (18) years old, and have completed a boater safety course approved by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

(e)

A parasail vessel shall maintain a minimum distance of one hundred (100) yards from shore at all times while providing rides.

(f)

Parasail ride concessionaires shall not operate rides from the beachfront or operate the parasail rides except between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

(g)

Parasail ride concessionaires shall obey all relevant federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations, to include with particularity those of the United States Coast Guard and the Texas Water Safety Act.

(h)

All operators and participants of the parasail ride concession shall wear United States Coast Guard approved life jackets at all times.

(i)

Parasail concessionaires shall clearly designate points of ingress and egress by uniform buoys, which are a minimum of twelve (12) inches in diameter and international orange. Ingress and egress channels shall be designated by two (2) parallel and straight buoy lines running perpendicular from the shoreline to fifty (50) yards offshore. The distance between the two (2) buoy lines shall be no less than ten (10) yards in width. Adjacent buoys in the buoy lines shall be equidistantly spaced no more than fifteen (15) feet apart. Both ingress and egress buoy lines shall be located outside of the "no swimming areas." Buoy lines and course buoys may only be in the water during hours of operation of the concession and all buoys, ropes, and anchors shall be removed at the end of each working day. The ingress and egress channel shall be clearly designated by vendor provided signage which shall be constructed of permanent material two (2) feet by two (2) feet in size. A concessionaire shall keep the ingress-egress channel clear of swimmers and waders. Ingress-egress channels may be shared with personal watercraft rental or tow ride vessel concessionaires if approved by the Galveston Beach Patrol.

(j)

Personal watercraft used by the parasail ride concessionaire shall be equipped with a governor which limits the speed of the vessel to thirty (30) miles per hour.

(k)

A concessionaire shall not operate during conditions deemed unsafe by the Galveston Beach Patrol. All decisions made by the Galveston Beach Patrol shall be final. Concessionaires shall not rent or provide parasail rides on days the Galveston Beach Patrol has designated as "red flag" days due to dangerous surf, high winds, or strong currents.

(l)

All signage shall be the responsibility of the concessionaire and shall meet the city's zoning standards and comply with the City Code, section 19.55.1, "Rules for Beach Temporary Concessionaires."

(Ord. No. 01-031, § 14, 6-14-01; Ord. No. 07-026, § 7, 4-12-07; Ord. No. 09-037, § 2, 5-28-09)