California law requires a person to be 16 years of age or older and in possession of his/her California Boater Card to legally operate a vessel powered by a motor of 15 hp or more, including personal watercraft (PWCs).
Massachusetts law requires all motorboat operators who are 12 through 15 years of age to complete an approved boating course in order to operate a motorboat without adult supervision. Also, all PWC operators who are 16 or 17 years of age or older must complete an approved boating course.
Pay the one-time fee of $34.95 – free unlimited retries of the final exam. Study the California Boating Safety Course and pass the final exam. Download your Certificate of Completion. Upload your Certificate of Completion on the state website to obtain your California Boater Card.
Do you need a Boating License in South Carolina? South Carolina law requires any boat operator under the age of 16 who is unaccompanied and operating a boat or PWC of 15 hp to pass a boater safety course and to carry a boater education card.
The Boat Massachusetts course is available in two formats: a full in-person format that runs approximately 10-12 hours in length, generally over the course of several days, or a fully online education course. All full in-person classes are free of charge. There is an associated fee for the online program.
Additionally, the state requires that all motorboats (with the exception of personal watercraft) be equipped with an anchor, manual bailer, and line. A paddle or an oar is required on boats less than 16 feet in length. Motorboats towing skiers must also be equipped with a boarding ladder.
Q: How much time will it take to complete an approved boating safety course including the exam? A: Approved online courses run a minimum of three hours to complete. Classroom and home study courses vary in length, with most classes no more than eight hours.
California boating law requires that all boats 16 feet or more in length, except canoes and kayaks must carry one wearable life jacket (Type I, II, III or V) for each person on board and one throwable (Type IV) device in each boat. PFDs must be readily accessible.
within 30 daysOnce DBW has received your application, proof of education and payment, you will receive a 90-day temporary boater card by email. You should receive your official boater card by mail within 30 days from the time the application was approved.
1. Personal Flotation Device (PFD) ALL boats, regardless of size, plying South Carolina waters must have a Coast Guard approved life jacket or vest available for each person on board. All children under the age of 12 must wear the life jacket, not the popular swimming pool 'floaties,' at all times when on the boat.
Successfully complete the online test, and you will receive a State of South Carolina boating safety certificate by mail. You pay $39.95—one time only, after you pass the final test. SCDNR will accept any internet based boating safety course approved by National Association of Safe Boating Law Administrators.
In South Carolina, it is not against the law to drink an alcoholic beverage while you are operating a boat. There is no “open container law” on boats in South Carolina, and in fact you can operate your boat and consume alcohol at the same time.