Final answer:
A competent observer must be in a position to monitor the towed person during water sports for safety reasons.
Step-by-step explanation:
In addition to the operator, a competent observer must be in the boat in a position to observe the towed person or waterskier. A competent observer is a person who has the ability to watch the person being towed and alert the operator to any issues or emergencies that may arise. This is a critical safety measure in water sports to ensure that the person being towed is safe and that the operator can focus on driving the boat safely without having to look behind at the skier or towed individual.