Abstract: A signaling device for raising a warning flag or pennant deployed on a motor boat to indicate that a water skier towed by the boat has fallen is disclosed which reliably raises a flag either manually when triggered by the motor boat operator or passenger, or automatically when the tow rope is released, thereby indicating to other boats in the vicinity that the water skier has fallen into the water. The heart of the device is a gear motor assembly operated by a DC motor, which is used to drive a flag pole containing a flag between lowered and deployed positions. Movement of the gear motor assembly is limited to ninety degrees by two micro switches, which remove power to the motor when an extreme position is reached.

Abstract: A device for use on ski boats is disclosed which provides a warning to other boats in the area that a downed water skier is in the water by using a motorized electrical device to raise a flag, either automatically when a skier falls and the tow rope is released, or manually when triggered by the motor boat operator or passenger. The device electrically raises the warning flag, and maintains it in an upright position until the skier grasps the tow rope handle, or until the operator releases the manual trigger switch, at which time the flag is returned to a lowered position by a spring. The system of the present invention may be used with one or more water skiers, and uses a positive switch indicator rather than depending on the degree tension in the tow rope.