Question | Data |
Commercial Vessels | |
Does your state/territory regulate commercial vessels on sole state waters? | Yes |
Other, please specify | Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry |
If you answered yes to the previous question, is your agency responsible for enforcing regulations on commercial vessels on sole state waters? | No |
Other, please specify |
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If you answered "No" to the previous question, which state agency is responsible? | Dept of Labor and Industry |
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? | Individual county sheriff's depts with DNR back up when available |
What agency is responsible for victim recovery? | Individual county sheriff's depts with DNR back up when available |
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? | Ages 12-17 to operate a motorboat over 25 HP |
Are only residents of your state required to complete a boating education course? | Other, please specify |
Other, please specify | Any boat operator 12-17 y/o resident or non res |
Education Exemptions | |
Are non-residents exempt from having to take a boating education course in your state? | No |
Other, please specify | Exempt if they have taken one in their own state |
Are U.S. Coast Guard licensed operators exempt from having to take a boating education course in your state? | No |
Other, please specify | |
Are any other persons exempt from having to take a boating education course in your state? Please list. | Adults or operators of non-motorized watercraft or boats 25 hp or less. |
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 | |
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 | If the child doesn't have a permit and HP over 25 |
Does your state require an adult to be on board when a minor is operating a PWC? | Other, please specify |
Other, please specify | Adult must be on board if child 13+ has no permit |
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 y/o |
Does your state have reciprocity for accepting out of state certification of minor boaters if the certification course meets NASBLA's Education Standards? | Yes - all NABLA approved courses are accepted, |
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 at least 12 (except for PWC - that age is 13) and to operate motors over 25 HP - person must be certifed. |
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. | 13 |
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? | Yes - all NABLA approved courses are accepted |
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? | until person turns 18. |
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? | No |
Other, please specify | |
Water Skiing | |
Does your state require an observer to be present when pulling a skier? | Other, please specify |
Other, please specify | Either observer or mirror |
Does your state require a mirror to be present when pulling a skier? | Other, please specify |
Other, please specify | Either observer or mirror |
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. | 60 minutes past sunset to sunrise the following day. |
Water Skiing | |
Does your state require a skier to wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved PFD? | No |
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. | Max tow rope length of 150 feet unless given a permit by the county sheriff |
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. | Boats built before Jan 1, 1982 - 84 dBA at 50 feet or 86 dBA stationary idle test. Boats built after Jan 1, 1982 - 82 dBA at 50 feet or 84 dBA stationary idle test. Also - No cutouts allowed. |
Is there a factory muffling alteration law in your state? | Yes |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, what is the law? | It is unlawful to equip, sell, or operate a motorboat that exceeds the dBA levels. It is also unlawful to have an altered muffler, muffler cutout, muffler bypass, or any other device designed or installed so that it can bypass the effectiveness of a muffling system. |
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? | There is no requirement for MSDs. You are just not allowed any discharge. Porta Pottys holding tank MSDs are ok as long as disposal is on shore facility. |
What are the penalties for illegal dumping/discharge of a Marine Sanitation Device in your state? | Max 1,000 and or 90 days 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? | rentals are required to distribute a copy of PWC laws and to provide instrution. Must also provide safety gear. |
Does your state prohibit PWC operation at any specific times? | Yes |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please list the times. | 1 hour before sunset to 9:30 AM the following day. |
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 observer or factory installed or factory authorized rear view mirrors. |
Personal Watercraft Restrictions | |
Is there a speed limit specific to PWCs other than slow/no wake zones in your state? | t's not a statewide speed limit, just various slow-no wake zones with 150 feet of shore, docks, swimmers, swim rafts, anchored boats, etc. |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please list the speed limit. | Slow no wake through emergent or floating vegetation, anchored or moored boats, non-powered boats, shore, docks, swim rafts. |
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. | Anywhere motor boats are restricted or restricted. |
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 wake jumping within 150 feet of the stern of the other boat. |
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? | PWC riders and passengers. Children under ten. |
What are the penalties for violating PFD regulations in your state? | $1,000 max and or 90 days 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? | 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? | Yes |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, how are their privileges impacted? | Up to an including loss of the motor vehicle. |
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? | No |
What percentage of law enforcement officers have access to hand held or portable BUI enforcement equipment in your state? | 1% |
Probable Cause | |
Does state law require probable cause for marine officers to stop a vessel? | Other, please specify |
Other, please specify | Articulable reason |
Does state law require probable cause for marine officers to board a vessel? | Other, please specify |
Other, please specify | Officers may not board |
Towing Distressed Vessels | |
Do marine officers utilize random safety inspections that include boarding the boat in your state? | No |
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? | No |
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? | |
Does your state have a written, formal marine law enforcement policy, operational procedure or executive order on the Good Samaritan law? | |
Does your state have a written, formal marine law enforcement policy, operational procedure or executive order on search and rescue? | |
Inter-agency Interacton | |
Does your state have a written, formal marine law enforcement policy, operational procedure or executive order on interaction with local agencies? | |
Does your state have a written, formal marine law enforcement policy, operational procedure or executive order on interaction with other state agencies? | |
Does your stat | |