Question | Data |
Commercial Vessels | |
Does your state/territory regulate commercial vessels on sole state waters? | No |
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? | |
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? | 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? | No |
Other, please specify | |
What agency is responsible for Search and Rescue operations? | County EMS |
What agency is responsible for victim recovery? | County EMS |
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? | PWC operators between 14 and 16 years of age if they want to operate on their own. |
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 |
Other, please specify | We accept all NASBLA approved courses. |
Are any other persons exempt from having to take a boating education course in your state? Please list. | No |
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? | 70% |
Providers of Education Courses | |
State Agency | X |
US Coast Guard Auxiliary | X |
US Power Squadrons | X |
Public School System | X |
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? | No |
Other, please specify | |
Does your state require an adult to be on board when a minor is operating a PWC? | Other, please specify |
Other, please specify | No minor may operate under 14 years old. 14 to 16 |
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? | No minimum |
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. | |
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. | No one under 14 years of age may operate a PWC. Persons 14 years old up to 16 years of age may operate if they are accompanied by an adult 18 or older or have a certificate of competency from a NASBLA approved boating education course and some form of ID. |
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? | Any NASBLA approved course |
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? | No time limit |
Challenge Exams | |
Does your state allow students to take a challenge exam to meet your state boating education requirement? | Other, please specify |
Other, please specify | Not for Stateinstructed course. Online course may |
Online Courses & Proctoring | |
Does your state have any laws in place which expressly prohibit online boating safety courses? | Other, please specify |
Other, please specify | Lake Norman has a law but not enforced by State. |
Does your state require boating safety tests to be proctored? | Other, please specify |
Other, please specify | State course only. |
Water Skiing | |
Does your state require an observer to be present when pulling a skier? | Other, please specify |
Other, please specify | or mirror, or if skier is wearing PFD |
Does your state require a mirror to be present when pulling a skier? | Other, please specify |
Other, please specify | or observer, or if skier is wearing PFD |
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. | from 1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise. |
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. | If pulled by PWC skier must wear PFD. PWC must be equipt with mirrors or observer. |
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? | 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? | No |
Other, please specify | |
Does your state require Y-valves to be locked/closed in waters of state jurisdiction? | No |
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? | NA |
What are the penalties for illegal dumping/discharge of a Marine Sanitation Device in your state? | NA |
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? | No |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, how much instruction is required? | |
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? | No person shall operate a personal watercraft towing another person on water skis, a surfboard, or similar device unless: (1) The personal watercraft has on board, in addition to the operator, an observer who shall monitor the progress of the person or persons being towed, or the personal watercraft is equipped with a rearview mirror; and (2) The total number of persons operating, observing, and being towed does not exceed the number of passengers identified by the manufacturer as the maximum safe load for the vessel. |
Personal Watercraft Restrictions | |
Is there a speed limit specific to PWCs other than slow/no wake zones in your state? | Yes |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please list the speed limit. | No person shall operate a personal watercraft on the waters of this State at greater than no |
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. | See #66 |
Are limitations imposed on wake jumping with PWCs in your state? | |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please describe the limitations. | A personal watercraft must at all times be operated in a reasonable and prudent manner. Maneuvers that endanger life, limb, or property shall constitute reckless operation of a vessel as provided in G.S. 75A |
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? | No person shall operate a personal watercraft on the waters of this State, nor shall the owner of a personal watercraft knowingly allow another person to operate that personal watercraft on the waters of this State, unless: (1) Each person riding on or being towed behind the vessel is wearing a type I, type II, type III, or type V personal flotation device approved by the United States Coast Guard. Inflatable personal flotation devices do not satisfy this requirement No person may use a recreational vessel unless each child under 13 years old on board is wearing an appropriate PFD approved by the Coast Guard unless: Each child not wearing such a PFD is below decks or in an enclosed cabin. The vessel is not underway. (Vessels that are anchored or tied to shore are not underway.) This law does not apply to commercial vessels. |
What are the penalties for violating PFD regulations in your state? | Class three misdemeanor with $25.00 fine plus cost of court. ($135.00 currently) |
Blood Alcohol Content | |
What is the BAC level at which a person is considered intoxicated in your state? | .08 BAC |
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? | N/A |
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? | Officers from outside the area are called in and large numbers of boats are used to check as many boats for BUI as possible. Mobile breath test stations are utilized with officers assigned to transport subjects to each location. |
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 | X |
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? | No |
Other, please specify | |
Do marine officers utilize random BUI inspections that include boarding the boat in your state? | Yes |
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? | No |
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? | 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? | No |
On-Water Pursuits | |
Does your state have a written, formal marine law enforcement policy, operational procedure or executive order on on-water pursuit? | Yes |
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? | Yes |
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? | |