Question | Data |
Commercial Vessels | |
Does your state/territory regulate commercial vessels on sole state waters? | Other, please specify |
Other, please specify | Yes but these regulsations are not comprehensive |
If you answered yes to the previous question, is your agency responsible for enforcing regulations on commercial vessels on sole state waters? | Other, please specify |
Other, please specify | State Parks does enforce regs on agency property |
If you answered "No" to the previous question, which state agency is responsible? | Department of Labor and Industries, Department of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Revenue, Department of Licensing and others |
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? | Other, please specify |
Other, please specify | Agency Marine Crew dive team maintains facilities |
What agency is responsible for Search and Rescue operations? | Local Law Enforcement agencies, Sheriff Departments and Police Departments having jurisdiction on the waters have Emergency Response and SAR responsibilities |
What agency is responsible for victim recovery? | Local Law Enforcement agencies, Sheriff Departments and Police Departments having jurisdiction on the waters have Emergency Response and victim recover |
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? | Operators of motorboats with 15 horsepower or greater, must be 12 years of age or older. Is being phased in beginning January 2008 starting with 12 to 20 year olds and increasing age each year until fully implemented in 2014. |
Are only residents of your state required to complete a boating education course? | Other, please specify |
Other, please specify | non residents may operate for 60 days |
Education Exemptions | |
Are non-residents exempt from having to take a boating education course in your state? | Other, please specify |
Other, please specify | non residents may operate for 60 days |
Are U.S. Coast Guard licensed operators exempt from having to take a boating education course in your state? | Other, please specify |
Other, please specify | exempt only when operating vessel under license |
Are any other persons exempt from having to take a boating education course in your state? Please list. | Many other exemptions see attached |
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 | X |
Other, please specify | non-profit internet course providers |
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 | minor must be 12 yoa and have a Boater Ed Card |
Does your state require an adult to be on board when a minor is operating a PWC? | Other, please specify |
Other, please specify | minor must be 14 yoa and have a Boater Ed Card |
Minimum Ages for Education Certification | |
Does your state certify minor boaters? | Other, please specify |
Other, please specify | must be 12 years of age |
What is the minimum age someone can be certified in your state? | 12 years of age |
Does your state have reciprocity for accepting out of state certification of minor boaters if the certification course meets NASBLA's Education Standards? | yes |
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. | must be 12 years of age, applies to motorboats with 15 or more horsepower |
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. | 14 years of age, when rental PWC operator must be 16 years of age |
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? | No |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please list the requirements. | |
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? | NASBLA approved and from States with Mandatory Boater Education |
Does your state honor NASBLA-approved course reciprocity for non-residents? | Yes |
Other, please specify | |
Wallet-Sized Certificates | |
Does your state issue wallet size boating certificate cards? | Yes |
Other, please specify | |
How long are education certificates/student wallet cards valid in your state? | Valid for life |
Challenge Exams | |
Does your state allow students to take a challenge exam to meet your state boating education requirement? | Yes |
Other, please specify | |
Online Courses & Proctoring | |
Does your state have any laws in place which expressly prohibit online boating safety courses? | No |
Other, please specify | |
Does your state require boating safety tests to be proctored? | Other, please specify |
Other, please specify | Rules provide for proctored and unproctored exams. |
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? | No |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please describe the time(s) when skiing is prohibited. | |
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. | Local regulations may limit hours and direction of skiing activities. |
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. | 90 dBs for vessel manf. before prior to 01/94 using stationary test; 88 dBs for vessel manf. on/after 01/94 using stationary test; 75 dBs using shoreline test. |
Is there a factory muffling alteration law in your state? | No |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, what is the law? | |
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 | |
Does your state require Y-valves to be locked/closed in waters of state jurisdiction? | |
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? | |
What are the penalties for illegal dumping/discharge of a Marine Sanitation Device in your state? | |
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? | A rental checklist is required to be reviewed & completed with person renting the vessel. |
Does your state prohibit PWC operation at any specific times? | Yes |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please list the times. | No PWC operation between hours of 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? | None. |
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? | Yes |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please list the restricted area or zone. | San Juan County does not permit PWCs except when transitting through county waters. |
Are limitations imposed on wake jumping with PWCs in your state? | Yes |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please describe the limitations. | No recklessly jumping the wake of nother vessel unreasonable or unnecessaryily close to the vessel when visibility is obstructed. |
Is there a kill switch or safety lanyard requirement for PWCs in your state? | Yes |
Life Jackets | |
Which persons in your state are required to wear a PFD and under what circumstances? | All persons on a PWC; any person 12 years of age or less on vessel under 19' in length. |
What are the penalties for violating PFD regulations in your state? | Infraction violation that must be witnessed by law enforcement officer. Fine amount: $87.00. |
Blood Alcohol Content | |
What is the BAC level at which a person is considered intoxicated in your state? | 0.00% |
Does your state have a lower threshold for BAC for minor boaters? | No |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, what is the BAC level for minors? | |
Boating Under the Influence | |
Does a BUI conviction impact an offender's automobile driving privileges in any way in your state? | No |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, how are their privileges impacted? | |
BUI Saturation Patrols & Checkpoints | |
Are BUI saturation patrols utilized in your state? | Yes |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, how are they used? | During specific events with high congestion of vessels. |
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? | No |
Test Usage in Criminal Evidence | |
Blood | |
Breath | |
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? | No |
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? | Yes |
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? | 0% |
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? | |
Other, please specify | |
Towing Distressed Vessels | |
Do marine officers utilize random safety inspections that include boarding the boat in your state? | |
Other, please specify | |
Are marine officers allowed to tow vessels in distress in your state? | |
Other, please specify | |
Are seaplanes "on the water" treated as vessels in your state? | |
Other, please specify | |
Liability Insurance | |
Does your state mandate liability insurance for boaters? | |
On-Water Pursuits | |
Does your state have a written, formal marine law enforcement policy, operational procedure or executive order on on-water pursuit? | |
Does your state have a written, formal marine law enforcement policy, operational procedure or executive order on interstate on-water pursuit? | |
Transporting Subjects, Accident Victims, Guests | |
Does your state have a written, formal marine law enforcement policy, operational procedure or executive order on transporting subjects? | |
Does your state have a written, formal marine law enforcement policy, operational procedure or executive order on transporting accident victims? | |
Does your state have a written, formal marine law enforcement policy, operational procedure or executive order on transporting guests? | |
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? | |
Does your state have a written, formal marine law enforcement policy, operational procedure or executive order on skin care safety for officers? | |
Does your state have a written, formal marine law enforcement policy, operational procedure or executive order on hearing safety for officers? | |
Does your state have a written, formal marine law enforcement policy, operational procedure or executive order on back safety for officers? | |
Towing Distressed Vessels | |
Does your state have a written, formal marine law enforcement policy, operational procedure or executive order on towing distressed vehicles? | |
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? | |
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? | Yes |
Does your state have a written, formal marine law enforcement policy, operational procedure or executive order on search and rescue? | Yes |
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? | Yes |