Question | Data |
Commercial Vessels | |
Does your state/territory regulate commercial vessels on sole state waters? | Yes |
Other, please specify | |
If you answered yes to the previous question, is your agency responsible for enforcing regulations on commercial vessels on sole state waters? | Yes |
Other, please specify | |
If you answered "No" to the previous question, which state agency is responsible? | |
White Water | |
Does your state regulate vessel operation in white water areas? | Yes |
Other, please specify | |
Does your state regulate commercial white water operations? | Yes |
Other, please specify | |
Search & Rescue | |
Does your agency have a dive team? | No |
Other, please specify | |
What agency is responsible for Search and Rescue operations? | Sheriff Departments |
What agency is responsible for victim recovery? | Sheriff Departments |
Boating Education Requirements | |
Does your state require mandatory boating safety education for some segment of the population? | Yes |
Who is required to complete a boating education course in your state? | Personal Watercraft operators 12 through 17 years old |
Are only residents of your state required to complete a boating education course? | No |
Other, please specify | |
Education Exemptions | |
Are non-residents exempt from having to take a boating education course in your state? | No |
Other, please specify | |
Are U.S. Coast Guard licensed operators exempt from having to take a boating education course in your state? | |
Other, please specify | |
Are any other persons exempt from having to take a boating education course in your state? Please list. | We have reciprocity with a number of states if their PWC education program is similar to ours. |
Exams and License/Certificate Issuance | |
Is issuance of a license/certificate dependant upon passing an exam in your state? | Yes |
Other, please specify | |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, what is the passing score in your state? | 80% |
Providers of Education Courses | |
State Agency | X |
US Coast Guard Auxiliary | X |
US Power Squadrons | X |
Public School System | |
Private Company | |
Other, please specify | |
Minors, Powerboats Personal Watercraft | |
Does your state require an adult to be on board when a minor is operating a motor-powered vessel other than a PWC? | Other, please specify |
Other, please specify | persons under 16 need on board supervisor |
Does your state require an adult to be on board when a minor is operating a PWC? | Other, please specify |
Other, please specify | yes, unless they have passed the PWC safety course |
Minimum Ages for Education Certification | |
Does your state certify minor boaters? | Yes |
Other, please specify | |
What is the minimum age someone can be certified in your state? | 12 |
Does your state have reciprocity for accepting out of state certification of minor boaters if the certification course meets NASBLA's Education Standards? | No, Meeting NASBLA's standards are only one condition of reciprocity. |
Mandatory Boat Operator Licensing | |
Does your state require mandatory boat operator licensing? | No |
Other, please specify | |
Minimum Ages for Non-PWC Vessels | |
Does your state set a minimum age requirement to operate a motor powered vessel other than a PWC? | Yes |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please list the required age and any other details such as horsepower rating. | 16 |
Does your state set any minimum age requirements to operate a PWC? | Yes |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please list the requirements. | 18 unless completed PWC education course |
Minimum Ages for Non-Powered Vessels | |
Are there any minimum age requirements in your state to operate non-powered vessels such as sailboats, canoes or kayaks? | Yes |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please list the requirements. | those under 16 operating a sailboat must be supervised by an adult |
Education Reciprocity | |
Do you accept out-of-state boating education certificates in your state? | Yes |
Other, please specify | |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, which type of certificates do you accept? | those as describe previously for the PWC program |
Does your state honor NASBLA-approved course reciprocity for non-residents? | Other, please specify |
Other, please specify | already explained under PWC |
Wallet-Sized Certificates | |
Does your state issue wallet size boating certificate cards? | Other, please specify |
Other, please specify | Just for the PWC course |
How long are education certificates/student wallet cards valid in your state? | They do not expire |
Challenge Exams | |
Does your state allow students to take a challenge exam to meet your state boating education requirement? | No |
Other, please specify | |
Online Courses & Proctoring | |
Does your state have any laws in place which expressly prohibit online boating safety courses? | Other, please specify |
Other, please specify | We have proctored tests |
Does your state require boating safety tests to be proctored? | Yes |
Other, please specify | |
Water Skiing | |
Does your state require an observer to be present when pulling a skier? | Yes |
Other, please specify | |
Does your state require a mirror to be present when pulling a skier? | No |
Other, please specify | |
Does your state prohibit water skiing during any specific time of the day/night? | Yes |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please describe the time(s) when skiing is prohibited. | sunset to sunrise |
Water Skiing | |
Does your state require a skier to wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved PFD? | Yes |
Are self-propelled skis allowed to be used in your state? | Yes |
Does your state require the use of a skier down flag? | Yes |
Describe any other water skiing restrictions in your state. | Can't be towed with 20 feet of the vessel if in a non-standing position |
Motorboat Noise | |
Is there a maximum noise level for motorboats in your state? | Yes |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please give the levels and standard used. | Engines manufactured before Jan. 1 1993 90dBa, manufactured after Jan. 1, 1993 88dB(a) by SAE J2005 Maximum sound level of 75dB(a) by SAE J1970 |
Is there a factory muffling alteration law in your state? | Yes |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, what is the law? | R651-222-5. Muffler Bypass or Alteration Prohibited. (1) No person shall operate or give permission for the operation of any motorboat upon the waters of this state that is equipped with an altered muffler, muffler cutout, muffler bypass, or other device designed or installed so that it can be used to continually or intermittently bypass; or reduce or eliminate the effectiveness of any muffler or muffler system installed on a motorboat. (2) Rule R651-222-5 (1) shall not apply to a motorboat equipped with a muffler cutout, muffler bypass, or other device designed or installed so that it can be used to continually or intermittently bypass; or reduce or eliminate the effectiveness of any muffler or muffler system installed on a motorboat, (a) if the mechanism has been permanently disconnected or made inoperable, where it cannot be operated in the manner described in Rule R651-222-5 (1), or (b)the muffling systems operated by the bypass meet the requirements in R651-222-3. |
Is boat noise governed by local ordinance in your state? | No |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, what is the local ordinance? | |
Marine Sanitation Devices | |
Does your state prohibit Y-valve through-hull discharge in waters of state jurisdiction? | Other, please specify |
Other, please specify | Prohibits any type of pollution discharge |
Does your state require Y-valves to be locked/closed in waters of state jurisdiction? | Yes |
Other, please specify | |
Marine Sanitation Devices | |
What are the penalties for misuse or failure to equip a vessel with a Marine Sanitation Device in your state? | Class B Misdeamenor, Max $1,000 or 6 months in jail |
What are the penalties for illegal dumping/discharge of a Marine Sanitation Device in your state? | Class B Misdeamenor, Max $1,000 or 6 months in jail |
Personal Watercraft Operation | |
Does your state require users to wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved PFD when operating a PWC? | Yes |
Does your state require PWC rental operators to provide any instruction or education in PWC operation prior to use? | Yes |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, how much instruction is required? | Owner or agent of livery must advise renter off all rules which he must obey. (This applys to all boats not just PWCs.) |
Does your state prohibit PWC operation at any specific times? | Yes |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please list the times. | sunset to sunrise |
Personal Watercrafts and Skiers | |
Does your state allow PWCs to pull water skiers? | Yes |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, are there any restrictions? | same law as traditional boats |
Personal Watercraft Restrictions | |
Is there a speed limit specific to PWCs other than slow/no wake zones in your state? | No |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please list the speed limit. | |
Is PWC operation restricted within any area or zone in your state? | No |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please list the restricted area or zone. | |
Are limitations imposed on wake jumping with PWCs in your state? | Yes |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please describe the limitations. | All vessels are required to stay 150 feet from others when above a wakeless speed. |
Is there a kill switch or safety lanyard requirement for PWCs in your state? | No |
Life Jackets | |
Which persons in your state are required to wear a PFD and under what circumstances? | *Persons less than 13 years of age while outside the cabin of vessel 19 feet or more *All persons on board a PWC *All persons on rivers, except on designated flatwater sections |
What are the penalties for violating PFD regulations in your state? | Class B Misdeamenor, Max. $1,000 or 6 months in jail |
Blood Alcohol Content | |
What is the BAC level at which a person is considered intoxicated in your state? | 0.08 |
Does your state have a lower threshold for BAC for minor boaters? | Yes |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, what is the BAC level for minors? | "not a drop" Minors cannot have any alcohol in their system |
Boating Under the Influence | |
Does a BUI conviction impact an offender's automobile driving privileges in any way in your state? | Yes |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, how are their privileges impacted? | Same impact as if they were driving a car DUI |
BUI Saturation Patrols & Checkpoints | |
Are BUI saturation patrols utilized in your state? | No |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, how are they used? | |
Are BUI checkpoints utilized in your state? | No |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, how are they used? | |
Alcohol Testing for BUI | |
Does your state allow blood tests to determine BAC or BUI? | Yes |
Does your state allow breath tests to determine BAC or BUI? | Yes |
Does your state allow urine tests to determine BAC or BUI? | Yes |
Test Usage in Criminal Evidence | |
Blood | |
Breath | X |
Urine | |
Field Sobriety Tests | |
Does your state require field sobriety tests to be conducted on shore? | No |
Other, please specify | |
Can refusal of a test be used against a boater in criminal prosecution in your state? | Yes |
Other, please specify | |
Do marine officers utilize random BUI inspections that include boarding the boat in your state? | No |
Negligent Operation of a Vessel | |
Does your state allow officers to issue citations for negligent operation of a vessel? | |
Portable BUI Equipment | |
Does your state allow the use of hand held or portable BUI enforcement equipment? | Yes |
Does your state allow the use of hand held or portable BUI enforcement equipment to be used for probable cause? | Yes |
Does your state allow the use of hand held or portable BUI enforcement equipment to be used for evidentiary purposes? | No |
What percentage of law enforcement officers have access to hand held or portable BUI enforcement equipment in your state? | In our agency 100%. |
Probable Cause | |
Does state law require probable cause for marine officers to stop a vessel? | No |
Other, please specify | |
Does state law require probable cause for marine officers to board a vessel? | No |
Other, please specify | |
Towing Distressed Vessels | |
Do marine officers utilize random safety inspections that include boarding the boat in your state? | Yes |
Other, please specify | |
Are marine officers allowed to tow vessels in distress in your state? | Yes |
Other, please specify | |
Are seaplanes "on the water" treated as vessels in your state? | No |
Other, please specify | |
Liability Insurance | |
Does your state mandate liability insurance for boaters? | Yes |
On-Water Pursuits | |
Does your state have a written, formal marine law enforcement policy, operational procedure or executive order on on-water pursuit? | No |
Does your state have a written, formal marine law enforcement policy, operational procedure or executive order on interstate on-water pursuit? | No |
Transporting Subjects, Accident Victims, Guests | |
Does your state have a written, formal marine law enforcement policy, operational procedure or executive order on transporting subjects? | Yes |
Does your state have a written, formal marine law enforcement policy, operational procedure or executive order on transporting accident victims? | No |
Does your state have a written, formal marine law enforcement policy, operational procedure or executive order on transporting guests? | Yes |
Officer Safety | |
Does your state have a written, formal marine law enforcement policy, operational procedure or executive order on requiring officers to wear Coast Guard-approved PFDs? | Yes |
Does your state have a written, formal marine law enforcement policy, operational procedure or executive order on skin care safety for officers? | No |
Does your state have a written, formal marine law enforcement policy, operational procedure or executive order on hearing safety for officers? | No |
Does your state have a written, formal marine law enforcement policy, operational procedure or executive order on back safety for officers? | No |
Towing Distressed Vessels | |
Does your state have a written, formal marine law enforcement policy, operational procedure or executive order on towing distressed vehicles? | No |
First Responders, First Aid, Good Samaritans, Search and Rescue | |
Does your state have a written, formal marine law enforcement policy, operational procedure or executive order on being a first responder at an accident? | No |
Does your state have a written, formal marine law enforcement policy, operational procedure or executive order on the use of first aid? | No |
Does your state have a written, formal marine law enforcement policy, operational procedure or executive order on the Good Samaritan law? | No |
Does your state have a written, formal marine law enforcement policy, operational procedure or executive order on search and rescue? | No |
Inter-agency Interacton | |
Does your state have a written, formal marine law enforcement policy, operational procedure or executive order on interaction with local agencies? | Yes |
Does your state have a written, formal marine law enforcement policy, operational procedure or executive order on interaction with other state agencies? | No |
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