Question | Data |
Commercial Vessels | |
Does your state/territory regulate commercial vessels on sole state waters? | Other, please specify |
Other, please specify | Not yet, but a "dinner cruise" is being proposed |
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 | Don't know yet, haven't gotten that far. |
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? | No |
Other, please specify | |
Does your state regulate commercial white water operations? | No |
Other, please specify | |
Search & Rescue | |
Does your agency have a dive team? | Yes |
Other, please specify | |
What agency is responsible for Search and Rescue operations? | Depends. Most counties have their own S&R teams; but we are recognized as the State's S&R agency through our Emergency Management Assistance Compact. |
What agency is responsible for victim recovery? | Again, most county Sheriff offices have recovery teams, but our Agency's team is available for statewide operations if a county does not have a team |
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? | Anyone born on or after January 1, 1986 |
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? | Other, please specify |
Other, please specify | We will accept another state's approved course. |
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 | Only if they are born before 1986. |
Are any other persons exempt from having to take a boating education course in your state? Please list. | N-A |
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 | BE is in some public schools but not all. |
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 | Under 12(10hp or more)direct visible&audible-17yr |
Does your state require an adult to be on board when a minor is operating a PWC? | Other, please specify |
Other, please specify | 12 or 13 yrs have to have 18yr old, under 12 - 21y |
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? | If they can pass the test, they can be certified. |
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? | No |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please list the required age and any other details such as horsepower rating. | To operate a motorboat powered by 10hp or more: A person under 12 must have BE and be under direct visible and audible supervision of a parent, guardian or person over 17 years. |
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. | 14yrs to operate by themselves as long as they are BE certified. Persons 12 or 13 years must have BE and have a person at least 18yrs on board. Under 12 must have BE and have a person at least 21yrs on board and in a position to take immediate control of the PWC. |
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 courses. |
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? | Life of the individual. |
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? | No |
Other, please specify | |
Does your state require boating safety tests to be proctored? | No |
Other, please specify | |
Water Skiing | |
Does your state require an observer to be present when pulling a skier? | |
Other, please specify | |
Does your state require a mirror to be present when pulling a skier? | |
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. | 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before 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? | No |
Describe any other water skiing restrictions in your state. | |
Motorboat Noise | |
Is there a maximum noise level for motorboats in your state? | No |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please give the levels and standard used. | |
Is there a factory muffling alteration law in your state? | Yes |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, what is the law? | The use of dry stack headers or pipes extending directly from the engine of a motorboat which does not have any type of muffler is prohibited |
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? | Yes |
Other, please specify | |
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? | Fined $100 to $1,000 and/or up to 3 months in jail. Also may be assessed an administrative civil penalty not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) per violation |
What are the penalties for illegal dumping/discharge of a Marine Sanitation Device in your state? | Same as #56. |
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? | Operators must view a PWC instructional video (approved by AGFC) and the livery shall provide the operator written boating regulations. |
Does your state prohibit PWC operation at any specific times? | Yes |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please list the times. | Prohibited between 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before 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? | Must have onboard an observer at least 12yrs or older and the PWC must be able to ride 3 or more persons. Mirrors are not allowed in lieu of an observer. |
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. | Some sole state waters prohibit PWCs. |
Are limitations imposed on wake jumping with PWCs in your state? | Yes |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please describe the limitations. | Unsafe PWC operation shall include but not be limited to: becoming airborne or completely leaving the water while crossing the wake of another vessel within 100ft of the vessel creating the wake. |
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? | Anyone 12yrs old or younger must wear a PFD at all times. The only exception is when they are within the enclosed area of a houseboat or cruiser, or within the area enclosed by railings on a party barge, cruiser or houseboat - while the boat is NOT underway. |
What are the penalties for violating PFD regulations in your state? | $100 to $250 |
Blood Alcohol Content | |
What is the BAC level at which a person is considered intoxicated in your state? | .08 for adults; .02 for minors (under 21) |
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? | 0.002 |
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? | A BUI conviction will count as a previous offense in order to determine the number of previous offenses for the purpose of suspending or revoking a person's driving privileges under the Omnibus DWI Act. |
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 | X |
Breath | X |
Urine | X |
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? | 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? | Yes |
What percentage of law enforcement officers have access to hand held or portable BUI enforcement equipment in your state? | I can only speak for this Agency's officers and that percentage would be 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? | Other, please specify |
Other, please specify | Yes, but we typically don't "board" boats. |
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? | No |
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? | No |
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? | Yes |
Does your state have a written, formal marine law enforcement policy, operational procedure or executive order on the use of first aid? | Yes |
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? | 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 |
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