ABA Boater Education Program
Boater education prevents
accidents and saves lives. Whether or not their state requires it, all
boaters have a responsibility to learn about boat operation,
communications, navigation, and life-saving techniques before taking
to the water. Statistics bear out what logic suggests—those without
boater education put themselves and others at risk.
Of the approximately
7,700 accidents reported each year, the U.S. Coast Guard found that
nearly 70 percent are caused by operator error as opposed to boat or
environmental factors. (Estimates suggest less than 10% of minor
boating accidents are reported.) Not only do incompetent boaters cause
more accidents, the accidents they cause are more severe. According to
the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), boating fatalities
are second only to highway fatalities. Sadly, more than 80 percent of
recreational boat operators involved in fatal boating accidents have
not taken any type of boater education course. An untrained boater
would likely not know the proper steps to take in a life-threatening
situation, such as capsizing/man overboard, fire, sinking/flooding, or
collision.
The lack of education in
personal watercraft operators is a cause for concern as well; a 1997
study estimated that 84% of PWC operators (including renters) had
received no boating instruction whatsoever. PWC injuries account for
36% of all reported boating injuries.
With 12.7 million boats
registered in the U.S., Steve Hall, president of the National State
Boating Law Administrators and boating law administrator for Rhode
Island recognizes, “The waterways are increasingly more congested and
operators must know the rules of the water to have a safe and
enjoyable day boating. If boaters would learn and practice safe
boating tactics, the number of accidents would be greatly reduced.”
Many organizations offer
a variety of boater education courses in a variety of formats
(including on-line, video, and classroom). Here are just a few:
In the 1990s, the NTSB
placed boating safety on its “10 Most Wanted List” for safety
improvements, and put forth several recommendations focused on
reducing the number and severity of boating accidents. The
recommendations regarding education included implementing minimum
standards for demonstrating operator knowledge of safety boating rules
and skills, and requiring PWC rental businesses to provide safety
instruction training to customers.
In the past few years,
numerous states have enacted legislation along these lines, and more
changes are in the works. Yet still, many states have no educational
requirements for boaters. If there are educational standards and age
limits for driving an automobile and piloting a plane, why not have
standards for operating a boat?
State Boating
Requirements/Laws
If you have state-specific questions regarding
education requirements contact that states' education specialist through the
state links to the left. Information contained here is believed to be correct
but is not intended to provide a legal opinion.
Source: The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators
Current as of June 20, 2006
|
State |
Requirement |
|
Alabama |
All persons born after April
28, 1954 who operate a motorized vessel on Alabama waters must be
certified. |
|
Alaska |
No requirement |
|
Arizona |
No requirement |
|
Arkansas |
Effective January 1, 2001,
Arkansas residents born on or after January 1, 1986 and of legal age to
operate a motorboat, must have successfully completed an approved
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Boating Education Course and carry
proof while operating a motorboat on Arkansas waters. |
|
California |
The only requirement for
boating education is for those people that are convicted of a moving
violation while boating. These people are required to complete and pass
a course approved by NASBLA and the Department of Boating and Waterways. |
|
Colorado |
As of Jan. 1, 1998, anyone
operating motorboats -- any vessel propelled by machinery, including
personal watercraft B on Colorado waters must be at least 16 years old.
Teens 14 and 15 years old can operate a motorboat if they first complete
a state approved boating safety course. |
|
Connecticut |
No resident of the state,
person owning real property in the state, or person owning a vessel in
the state, shall operate on the waters of the state, a vessel which is
required to be registered, documented or numbered, unless such person
has obtained a Safe Boating Certificate or a Certificate of Personal
Watercraft Operation. |
|
Delaware |
Effective January 1, 1994,
successful completion of a boating safety course is mandatory for
persons born on or after January 1, 1978, to operate a boat. (Personal
watercraft are boats also!) |
|
District of Columbia |
Anyone operating a vessel on
District of Columbia waterways is required to have a Boating Safety
Certificate. The Boating Safety Certificate is issued to individuals who
successfully complete the Boating Safety course. |
|
Florida |
Effective October 1, 2001, a
person 21 years of age or younger may not operate a vessel powered by a
motor of 10 horsepower or greater unless such person has in his or her
possession aboard the vessel photographic identification and a
boater safety identification card. |
|
Georgia |
Those less than 12 years of
age may not legally operate a Class 1, 2, or 3 boat or Class A boat powered by a
motor of more than 30 horsepower and they may not legally operate a PWC.
They may legally operate a Class A boat which is either non-motorized or powered by a
motor of 30 horsepower or less only if they are accompanied by a
competent adult. Those 12 or 13 years of
age may legally operate a non-motorized Class A boat without
restrictions. However, they may legally operate a Class A boat powered
by a motor of 30 horsepower or less or a PWC only if they have
passed a boating safety course approved by the Department of Natural
Resources, or are accompanied by a competent adult, or are under direct
supervision of a competent adult. They may not legally operate a
Class 1,2, or 3 boat or a Class A boat powered by a motor of more than
30 horsepower.
Those 14 or 15 years of
age may legally operate a non-motorized Class A boat without
restrictions. They may legally operate any other boat or PWC only if
they have passed a boating safety course approved by the Department
of Natural Resources, or are accompanied by a competent adult, or are
under direct supervision of a competent adult.
Those 16 years of age or
older may operate any boat or PWC on the waters of Georgia if they have
proper identification onboard. |
|
Guam |
No requirement |
|
Hawaii |
Effective September 1, 2004,
tow-in surfers that utilize personal watercraft, also called thrill
craft in Hawaii, are required to complete a mandatory education course.
Complete bill (link)
www.state.hi.us/dlnr/dbor/rules/amendment13250_13256.htm
Effective January 2005, all
personal watercraft operators are also required to complete a mandatory
education course.
Complete bill |
|
Idaho |
Idaho requires specific
education to rent a personal watercraft, requires the rental business to
deliver the education to each person who will ride the rental, and
requires each person "driving" the craft to carry a verification wallet
card when they ride. Idaho also requires
violators of the BUI code to successfully complete a boating safety
course. This also applies to repeat offenders of any other state boating
code. |
|
Illinois |
No one under 10 years of age
may operate a motorboat. Children ages 10 and 11 may operate a motorboat
only if they are accompanied on the motorboat and are under the direct
supervision of a parent or guardian or a person that is at least 18
years of age designated by a parent or guardian. People who are at least
12 years of age and less than 18 years of age may operate a motorboat
only if they are accompanied on the motorboat and are under the direct
supervision of a parent or guardian or a person that is at least 18
years of age designated by a parent or guardian. The motorboat operator
should be in possession of a Boating Safety Certificate issued by the
Department of Natural Resources, Division of Education, or a valid
certificate issued by another state, a province of Canada, the U.S.
Coast Guard, or the U.S. Power Squadron. Persons age eighteen and over,
nothing is required. |
|
Indiana |
Effective January 1, 1996,
all motorboat or PWC operators must have a valid driver’s license to
operate on all Indiana public waters.
Motorboat or PWC operators who are at least age 15, and don't have a
driver's license, may operate a motorboat or PWC only if they
successfully complete a course and have onboard an I.D. issued by
the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. |
|
Iowa |
An owner or operator of a
vessel propelled by a motor of more than ten horsepower shall not permit
any person under twelve years of age to operate the personal watercraft
vessel unless accompanied in or on the same personal watercraft vessel
by a responsible person of at least eighteen years of age who is
experienced in motorboat operation. Commencing January 1, 2003, a A
person who is twelve years of age or older but less than eighteen years
of age shall not operate any personal watercraft vessel propelled by a
motor of more than ten horsepower unless the person has successfully
completed a department=approved watercraft safety course and obtained a
watercraft safety certificate or is accompanied in or on the same vessel
by a responsible person of at least eighteen years of age who is
experienced in motorboat operation. A person required to have a
watercraft safety certificate shall carry and shall exhibit or make
available the certificate upon request of an officer of the department.
A violation of this subsection is a simple misdemeanor as provided in
section 462A.13. However, a person charged with violating this
subsection shall not be convicted if the person produces in court,
within a reasonable time, a department= approved certificate. The cost
of a department certificate, or any duplicate, shall not exceed five
dollars. |
|
Kansas |
Any person born on or after
January 1, 1989 must complete an approved boater safety education course
in order to operate a motorboat or sailboat on public waters in Kansas.
This requirement does not apply to a person operating a motorboat or
sailboat accompanied by and under the direct and audible supervision of
a person over 17 years of age who either: possesses a certificate of
completion of an approved boater safety education course, or is legally
exempt from the requirement. This requirement does not apply to anyone
21 years of age or older, regardless of their date of birth.
In addition, anyone ages
12-15 who wants to operate a personal watercraft alone is required to
successfully complete a boating safety course. |
|
Kentucky |
Safe Boating Certification
is mandatory for children from 12 through 17 years old who operate a
personal watercraft or motorboat of over 10 horsepower, unless they are
accompanied by an adult (18 years or older) or a person with a safe
boating certificate. |
|
Louisiana |
No person born after January
1, 1988 , shall operate a motorboat powered by a motor in excess of ten
horsepower unless he has successfully completed a NASBLA-approved
boating safety class. A person who has completed an approved boating
safety class shall be in possession of evidence of such completion when
operating such a boat. |
|
Maine |
Anyone 14 years of age or
older must complete a safety course in order to operate a Personal
Watercraft (PWC). |
|
Maryland |
The Boating Safety Education
Law requires that any person born on or after July 1, 1972 must have in
their possession a certificate of boating safety education while
operating a numbered or documented vessel on Maryland waters. |
|
Massachusetts |
Youth ages 12 through 15 are
required to pass a state and nationally approved boating education
course and obtain a state Safety Certificate, before they can operate a
motorboat without adult supervision. Persons 16 years of age and older
may operate a motorboat on Massachusetts’ waters without any education
requirements. Exception for boaters who operate a PWC (personal
watercraft): youth 16 and 17 years old must pass a state and nationally
approved boating education course and obtain a state Safety Certificate.
Youth under 16 years of age are not allowed to operate a PWC. Persons 18
years of age and older may operate a PWC without any safety education
requirements. |
|
Michigan |
Boaters under 16 years of
age must meet certain requirements before they can legally operate a
boat with a motor larger than 6 horsepower. These requirements are:
1. Persons12 years
of age - must be directly supervised by someone 16 years old or older.
The boat must not have a motor power totaling more than 35 horse power.
2. Persons 12 to 16
years of age - must possess a boating safety course certificate or be
directly supervised by someone at least 16 years of age.
3. If a person is
at least 14 years old or born after December 31, 1978, he or she must
possess their boating safety certificate to operate a personal
watercraft.
4. The boating
safety certificate must be carried and presented upon the demand of a
peace officer.
Persons 12 but less than
14 years of age can operate a Personal Watercraft if all of the
following are met:
1. The person operating
must have a boating safety certificate.
2. The parent or legal
guardian must have a boating safety certificate.
3. The parent or legal
guardian must accompany the child on the PWC.
4. The lanyard cut-off
switch must be attached to the parent or legal guardian.
|
|
Minnesota |
12 - 17 years of age: over
25 hp , must have a Watercraft Operator's permit. PWCs: age 13 with no
permit may operate with adult on board. 13 year olds with a Watercraft
Operator’s Permit may operate with an adult observing from shore. 14
years of age, must have Watercraft Operator's permit to operate alone. |
|
Mississippi |
Effective July 1, 1997 any
person born after June 30, 1980 must complete a Boating Safety Course to
operate a boat. Persons under 12 years of age must be accompanied by a
person 21 or older on board the boat in order to operate the boat. Also, anyone 12 years of age and under must wear a PFD at all
times while the vessel is underway. Anyone riding or operating a PWC
must wear a PFC at all times. |
|
Missouri |
Beginning January 1, 2005,
operators of vessels on the lakes of the state born after January 1,
1984 must take a NASBLA-approved boating safety education course. and
possess a boating safety identification card issued by the Missouri
State Water Patrol on board with them.
Detailed bill. |
|
Montana |
Youth 13 and 14 years of age
must either be accompanied by someone 18 years of age or older or must
possess a valid Montana motorboat operator's certificate or proof of
passing an approved course. This applies to motorboats over 10
horsepower only. |
|
Nebraska |
As of March 15, 2003, a law
was passed that requires any motorboat operator (including personal
watercraft) under age 16 years of age must complete a boating safety
course and be in possession of a course certificate when operating the
boat. You must be at least 14 years of age to operate a motorboat
(including personal watercraft) in Nebraska.
Starting January 1, 2004
this law will apply to any operator under age 18. |
|
Nevada |
Effective January 1, 2003,
all boat operators born on or after January 1, 1983 will be required to
complete an approved boater education course. This applies only to those
operating a vessel with a motor larger than 15 hp on Nevada's interstate
waters. |
|
New Hampshire |
No person born on or after
the dates provided in this section shall operate a motorized vessel with
any type of power motor in excess of 25 horsepower on the public waters
of this state without first obtaining a certificate of boating safety
education. Only NASBLA-approved New Hampshire and other state
certificates are accepted. No certificates issued by private companies
are recognized.
Date of Birth
Certificate Required
January 1, 1983 January 1, 2002
January 1, 1977 January 1, 2003
January 1, 1973 January 1, 2004
January 1, 1967 January 1, 2005
January 1, 1963 January 1, 2006
January 1, 1957 January 1, 2007
Everyone January 1, 2008 |
|
New Jersey |
As of June 1, 2008, no
person may operate a sailboat or powerboat longer than 12 feet without
successfully completing an approved boat safety course taught by an
approved boat safety instructor. The mandatory boat safety course
required shall be successfully completed:
Before June 1, 2005 for all
person born on or after December 31, 1968.
Before June 1, 2006 for all persons born on or after December 31, 1958.
Before June 1, 2007 for all persons born on or after December 31, 1948.
Before June 1, 2008 for all other persons. |
|
New Mexico |
As of January 1, 2007, all
persons born after January 1, 1989 who operate a motorboat must have
completed a NASBLA-approved safe boating education course. Children age
12 and under are required to wear a Coast Guard approved Personal
Flotation Device while the vessel is underway. |
|
New York |
In order to operate a vessel
in New York State (NYS) without adult supervision individuals must be at
least 18 years of age or have successfully completed a safe boating
course and be between the ages of 10 and 18.
Individuals less than 18
years of age who have not successfully completed a boating safety course
may only operate a vessel while under the direct supervision of an
individual who is 18 years or age or older. If the vessel being operated
is a pwc the individual who is over 18 must have a boating safety
certificate.
As of January 1, 2006,
all personal watercraft operators must be 14 years of age or older and
must successfully complete a boating safety education course to operate
a Personal Watercraft in the State of New York.
Until January 1, 2009,
those operators age ten (10) through thirteen (13) that have a boating
safety certificate may continue to operate a PWC if they are accompanied
by someone over 18 years of age holding a safety certificate of their
own. Accompanied for this section of law shall mean the adult must be
within 500 feet, on another PWC or vessel, and within sight of the
PWCbeing operated by the youth.
The required boating
safety certificate must be carried by the minor at all times while
operating the boat. |
|
North Carolina |
Under current NC state law,
no one under 12 years of age can operate a PWC (does not apply to
motorboats or other vessels). If youths are at least 12 but less than 16
years old, they can operate a PWC if either: (1) they are accompanied by
a person at least 18 years of age on the PWC, or (2) the operator
possesses an I.D. showing proof of identification and age plus a boating
safety card/certificate as proof of satisfactory completion of a NASBLA
approved boating safety course. |
|
North Dakota |
No person of twelve through
fifteen years of age may operate a motorboat (includes personal
watercraft, i.e. Jet skis, etc.) propelled by over a ten horsepower
motor unless the operator is accompanied by a person eighteen years of
age or older or the operator has taken and passed a boating course
approved by the Department. |
|
N Mariana Islands |
No requirement |
|
Ohio |
No boat operator born on or
after January 1, 1982 shall operate a powerboat of more than 10
horsepower, unless they have completed a NASBLA-approved course if
passed a proctored or non-proctored proficiency exam provided by the
Division of Watercraft. |
|
Oklahoma |
Effective January 1, 2007,
all persons who are 12-15 years of age who wish to operate a vessel
exceeding 10 horsepower or a sail powered vessel that is 16 feet or
greater in length will be required to successfully complete a
NASBLA-approved course. This applies to all persons regardless of their
state of residence, but Oklahoma will recognize certificates from any
state that shows they have successfully completed a NASBLA-approved
course. All persons are required to have the certificate in their
possession when they operate the vessel. |
|
Oregon |
The law was passed in 1999,
and requires operators of powerboats greater than 10 horsepower, and
youths 12-15 operating any size powerboat, take a NASBLA-approved
boating safety course and/or pass an equivalency exam to demonstrate
basic boating knowledge. Upon passing the exam, the boater needs to
apply for a boater education card that is to be carried when boating.
Boaters 45 and younger must
now carry a boater education card when operating powerboats (including
personal watercraft or any motorized watercraft) greater than 10 hp. Law
enforcement officers are issuing citations for non-compliance with the
Mandatory Education Law. The citation fines have increased to $94.
Youth 12-15 also need a
boater education card when operating boats 0-10 hp alone. When operating
over 10 hp, a card-holding adult (16 or older, 18 for personal
watercraft) must be on-board to supervise.
When do I need my card?
2003 - 30 and younger
2004 - 40 and younger
2005 - 45 and younger
2006 - 50 and younger
2007 - 60 and younger
2008 - 70 and younger
2009 - All boaters |
|
Pennsylvania |
A person 11 years of age or
younger may not operate a personal watercraft or a boat propelled by a
motor greater than 25 horsepower.
A person 12 through 15
years of age may not operate a personal watercraft if there are any
passengers onboard 15 years of age or younger.
Persons born on or after
January 1, 1982 may not operate a motorboat greater than 25 horsepower
without possessing a Boating Safety Education Certificate. |
|
Puerto Rico |
Anyone born after July 1,
1972 must take a NASBLA and State approved 24 hour, classroom-proctored
Boating Course and pass an exam with a minimum of 80% in order to
operate any type of motor operated vessel in Puerto Rico. Internet
courses as well as any other courses offered by the U.S. Coast Guard or
the U.S. Power Squadron are not accepted unless they comply with the 24
hour requirement. |
|
Rhode Island |
No person born on or after
January 1, 1986 shall operate a vessel that is fitted with propulsion
machinery of more than ten (10) horsepower on the waters of this state
unless the person shall have successfully completed a boating safety
education program as approved by the director of the department of
environmental management.
Any person operating a personal watercraft as defined in § 46-22-2(6) on
the waters of this state shall have successfully completed a boating
safety education program as approved by the director of the department
of environmental management. |
|
South Carolina |
No person may operate a
personal watercraft, specialty propcraft, or vessel if he is younger
than sixteen years of age, unless accompanied by an adult, eighteen
years or older, who is not under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a
combination of them. However, a person younger than sixteen years of age
may operate a personal watercraft, specialty propcraft, or vessel
without being accompanied by an adult if one or more of the following
applies:
1. The person
completes a boating safety program as administered by the Department of
Natural Resources; or
2. The person
completes a boating safety program approved by the
Department of Natural Resources; or
3. Anyone
operating a vessel with less than fifteen horsepower engine will not be
required to take the boating safety program. |
|
South Dakota |
No requirement |
|
Tennessee |
Anyone born after January 1,
1989, operating boats on Tennessee waters, must have on board the
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA)- issued wallet size boating
education certificate if operating a boat alone. For Tennessee residents
only. Non-residents in this age category must show a certificate of
completion from any NASBLA-approved course. |
|
Texas |
Boaters younger than 18
years of age must complete a TPWD-approved course and be certified with
TPWD to operate any vessel over 10 horsepower, wind-blown vessel over 14
feet and all personal watercraft. |
|
Utah |
Persons 12 through 15 years
of age may operate a PWC alone provided the operator completes a boating
education course approved by the Utah Division of Parks and Recreation
and has in his possession the certificate issued by the course provider,
and is under the direct supervision of a responsible person who
is at least 18 years old.
Persons 16 through 17 years
of age may operate a PWC alone provided the operator completes a boating
education course approved by the Utah Division of Parks and Recreation
and has in his possession the certificate issued by the course provider.
A person who is less than
18 years of age who does not meet the above requirements may not operate
a PWC unless accompanied onboard and directly supervised
by a responsible person who is at least 18 years old.
A PWC may be operated by
a person 18 years old or older without age or supervision restrictions.
A motorized boat (other
than PWC) may be operated by a person under 16 years old only if the
operator is under the onboard and direct supervision of a
responsible person who is at least 18 years old. Persons age 16 and over
may operate a motorboat without age restiction.
Sailboats may be operated
by a person under 16 years old only if the perso is under the direct
supervision of a responsible person who is at least 18 years old.
Persons age 16 and over may operate a sailboat without age restriction.
**It is illegal for the
owner or person in control of a vessel to allow someone who does not
meet the age and/or education requirements to operate the vessel. |
|
Vermont |
Any person born on or after
January 1, 1974 must attend and pass an approved boater safety education
course and carry their certification with them when operating any power
boat on the waters of Vermont. |
|
Virginia |
Those 14 and 15 years old
may operate a PWC only if they have passed a boating safety course
approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators
(NASBLA). These operators must carry their proof of course completion
onboard whenever they operate a PWC. |
|
Virgin Islands |
PWC operators under 18 must
successfully complete a boating safety course. |
|
Washington |
The Boating Safety Education
Bill has been passed and requires all boat operators totake a NASBLA
approved boater safety education course and possess a card as proof of
passing the course in order to operate a boat in Washington State. The
program will be phased in beginning in 2008 as follows:
January 1, 2008 - All boat
operators 20 years old and younger;
January 1, 2009 - All boat operators 25 years old and younger;
January 1, 2010 - All boat operators 30 years old and younger;
January 1, 2011 - All boat operators 35 years old and younger;
January 1, 2012 - All boat operators 40 years old and younger;
January 1, 2013 - All boat operators 50 years old and younger;
January 1, 2014 - All boat operators 60 years old and younger;
January 1, 2015 - All boat operators 70 years old and younger;
January 1, 2016 - All boat operators over 12 years of age will be
required to have a card.
Persons born before
January 1, 1955 are exempt.
State Parks is planning
to start making cards available early in 2006 for persons who have
already taken a NASBLA approved, Commission Approved courses.
For more information
about this law and the available boating safety courses, see the
Washington Parks Website |
|
West Virginia |
Beginning on January 1,
2001, no person born on or after December 31, 1986, may operate a
motorboat or personal watercraft on any waters of this state without
first having obtained a certificate of boating safety education from
this or any other state. |
|
Wisconsin |
Persons 16 or
older have no education or certification requirement to operate a
recreational boat or vessel on Wisconsin waters. Children ages 12-15 may
operate a boat or vessel if they are accompanied in the boat by a parent
or guardian or a person at least 18 years of age designated by a parent
or guardian. If the 12-15 year old is in possession of a certified
boating safety course completion certificate issued by Wisconsin DNR or
another State’s agency, the person my operate a boat or vessel alone.
|
|
Wyoming |
No requirement |
Boating safety
should be a concern for everyone on the water. Regardless of whether
or not your state requires boater education, regardless of whether
you’re a boat owner or are just “along for the ride”, education in
boat operation, navigation, and life-saving skills is important in
both preventing accidents, and minimizing them if they occur.
Other Boat Education Resources:
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