Boating education teaches boaters to be safe, knowledgeable, and responsible.
To maintain U.S. Coast Guard recognition the state's course must be a minimum of eight hours in length, although most classes are about nine hours. Courses are organized and conducted by volunteer instructors in many communities across the state. These dedicated instructors believe that boating education holds the key to the future of boating. The course covers navigation, trailering, equipment requirements, personal watercraft, safety tips, drugs and alcohol, self rescue, and marine theft. This requirement does not apply to anyone 21 years of age or older, regardless of their date of birth.