Boaters Safety.....

[DGF]

Boehr,

At what age is a boaters safety license not required? Is there a limit as to what type of boat can be operated besides a row boat or canoe (ie. Trolling motor vs. gas powered)? Thanks for your help.

[boehr]

It does depend on the vessel. First, I must say that I would recommend all kids take a marine safety class, and some adults. :)

This is the general short version.

A person less than 12 years of age shall not operate a motorboat unless they are under the direct supervision of a person on board the motorboat who is 16 years of age or older, the motorboat they are operating is powered by a motor or motors totaling no more than 35 horsepower.

A person 12 through 15 years of age may operate a motorboat only if that person complies with either of the following, they are accompanied by at least 1 person 16 years of age or older, or they are in possession of a boating safety certificate issued after they have satisfactorily completed a department approved course in boating safety.

A person 12 through 15 years of age operating a motorboat shall present the boating safety certificate issued to him or her upon the demand of any peace officer.

This does not apply to the operation of a motorboat that is powered by a motor or motors totaling no more than 6 horsepower.

Now PCW's (jet skis) are completely different.

A person under the age of 14 shall not use a personal watercraft. A person who is 12 or more and less than 14 years of age before January 1, 1999 may use a personal watercraft on the waters of this state if before January 1, 1999 he or she obtained a boating safety certificate. A person who was born after December 31, 1978 shall not operate a personal watercraft upon the waters of this state unless he or she first obtains a boating safety certificate.

[DGF]

Thanks Boehr! That's exactly what I was wondering.