boating license

[coolguy147]

well i have been dying to go out boating by my self leagly lol dont ask. im not sure how and where to get a effective legal boating license.

any help? does it cost anything?

 

[cbavier]

Re: boating license

coolguy: Where are you? What size of boat? There is no such thing in Michigan as a boating license to operate a boat unless it's a ship. I think you need to take a USCG or Power Sqadron safety course before considering going out. You obviously have never owned a boat before or are you just trying to stir up conversation.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: boating license

Florida offers the free safe boating certificate. it is an open book test and is free. there are suppose to be books at the tax collectors office, but i have never found any there. contact the FWC and they will send you the book, study it fill of the test, send it back, and they will issue you the certificate. free. http://myfwc.com/boating/safety/ID_card.htm



here is a list of inclass courses, some are near you, but the cost, +-$40.00.
http://myfwc.com/boating/safety/classroom_courses.htm

 

[coolguy147]

Re: boating license

u know i had that same exact book but im not sure where it went. its on the second link the ugy and his son with the 90hp merc. i had that same exact book. what do i do with it if i can find it? just fill in the mutiple choice and bam im done?


i have a 20ft pontoon but i would like to be able to drive other items like a jet ski or a john boat even a runabout etc etc.

what about drving somebody elses boat with there permission? anything illegal about that?

 

[QC]

Re: boating license

Where are you? The answer to your questions totally lies within that IMPORTANT question . . .

 

[coolguy147]

Re: boating license

florida

and i took the test from the first link a long time ago from the website of the boat u.s foundation i got a 81% on it haha but im going to print it out again and then mail it 2moro

 

[cribber]

Re: boating license

The USCG Boaters Safety Course is not mandatory in Florida but highly suggested... you can take it if nothing more than for the discount you can get on insurance. The state then gives you an ID card that is good for life. Like I said, not mandatory at this time but ya never know when the laws will change. I got mine thru the local Power Squadron for a nominal price since they do all the paperwork for ya. My course was part of the package the dealer provided when I bought my boat.

 

[coolguy147]

Re: boating license

no thats not true u have to have a card if ur under the age of 21 and using a motor over the 10hp. and have to be 14 to drive a jet ski

 

[cribber]

Re: boating license

Thanks for the clarification!!! My comments were for us over 21s... and I tend to forget our up and coming boaters!!! My oops...

 

[MrPhotographer06]

Re: boating license

i'm 16, 17 in june, and i can drive one legaly in SC

It's the Law: Before Going Out
Who May Operate a Boat or PWC
Persons 16 years of age or older may operate any boat or PWC without restrictions.

Persons younger than 16 years of age may operate:

A boat or PWC powered by less than 15 horsepower without restrictions
A boat or PWC powered by 15 horsepower or more only if one of the following conditions is met.
They are accompanied by an adult at least 18 years old who is not under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
They have passed a boating safety course approved by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
It is unlawful for a person to cause or allow a child over whom they have permanent or temporary responsibility to operate a boat or PWC illegally.

 

[coolguy147]

Re: boating license

they dont clarify age on boats just pwc and that u can drive one with out linecse if ur under the age of 21

 

[mthieme]

Re: boating license

License ????
uh-oh.

 

[dkennedy]

Re: boating license

well i have been dying to go out boating by my self leagly lol dont ask. im not sure how and where to get a effective legal boating license.

any help? does it cost anything?

http://www.boat-ed.com/ go to this site and it let you choose the state your in and you pay like $15 or something i dnt remember and once you pay it gives you all the course material then when your ready you can take some practice test then the real test and if you pass u get a temporary certificate and in like a week or 2 it sends ur real license and all of this is done online

i got mine at 15 and im 17 now and im a licensed captain

 

[coolguy147]

Re: boating license

but u see i found a website that lets me get that certifacate for free. now all i have to do is mail it in

 

[dkennedy]

Re: boating license

but u see i found a website that lets me get that certifacate for free. now all i have to do is mail it in

well good for you but just so ur warned u better make sure its a legit license because alot of sites will just screw u over and honestly wuts the harm in paying 10 dollars i dnt think anyone is too poor to pay $10 for something if they really want it just be careful with free websites

 

[coolguy147]

Re: boating license

i got the website from a link from myfwc.com

 

[DJ]

Re: boating license

I'm not sure which way I would go on this one.

Motor Vehicle drivers licenses do not seem have any effect on getting bad drivers off of the road. Here in AZ, upwards of 25% of the drivers here do not have one.

Boaters, being a smaller population, would be easier to enforce. Plus, boating is considred a "luxury" by a vast majority of citizens. Anti licensing efforts would be hugely ignored.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: boating license

Yes, in Florida anyone can get a FREE, boating certificate, that is good for life. you do not have to pay these online sites. the reason is the state wants to educate the drivers, atleast of the minimums, and rules of the road. as i said above you get the book read it, there is a test in the back. fill it out, and mail it. if you pass and who would not, on an open book test, you receive your certificate in about a week - 10 days. i Florida, you must be 21 to operate a PWC, or have a certificate. if under 18, no one can rent a PWC. under 14 cannot operate a PWC.

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: boating license

As regards to "safe boating," I think the requirement of a license of sorts is a good one! In Vermont, anyone born after 1974 is required to take the Safe Boating course to operate a boat legally (as a Vermont resident). At the very least, it may save a life or two to have a newbie hear boat and water safety at least once.

At the same time, an extraordinarily large number of boating accidents which involve injury or death are alcohol related. So I know that the stupid-human-factor reaches beyond mere education. Like the older man a few years ago here in Vermont: alcohol involved, had 11 people on a small sailboat. It capsized; two young children (brother and sister) died. Tragic.

Then there are those who, sober, could use a safety course, even if born before 1974. I know a man personally who had 5 people in a 12' tinny last summer and was swamped by a ski boat wake. Fortunately no injuries, but the boat had no flotation and sunk, and was lost.

In Vermont, there are also laws which require life jackets all the time while on board for children up to 12 years, and life jackets while underway (but not while anchored) up to age 16, as well as other restrictions.

DJ said: "I'm not sure which way I would go on this one.
Motor Vehicle drivers licenses do not seem have any effect on getting bad drivers off of the road. Here in AZ, upwards of 25% of the drivers here do not have one."

Wow. That scares me a little. The only ones I hear about in Vermont who drive without licenses are "DLS" - Drivers License Suspended, usually due to DUI or multiple infractions (again, usually including DUI).

I wonder what the statistic is here?

One last thing- requiring the Safe Boating thing is handy. I don't have to say "no" to most of the people who ask to operate my boat I just ask, "Do you have the Vermont Safe Boating certificate?" They say "no," I purse my lips, they turn away- end of conversation!

 

[coolguy147]

Re: boating license

well im a alright experinced boater. i dont drive fast boats so im not yet ready in that field but i a got a big pontoon boat which is i guess u can say safe?