Don't worry; no one will know your score but you. But if you come out with 100%, you should definitely brag. 

Boater education is vital no matter the waterway. The Lone Star State has roughly 1.7 million acres of freshwater lakes and roughly 80,000 miles of river spread across its landscape. On those waterways are boaters with widely varying skill levels. Refreshing your knowledge of boat laws is important for the newbie as well as the experienced skipper to help ensure everyone enjoying the fun under the sun returns home safely. 

And, anyone born on or after September 1, 1993, who wishes to operate certain vessels on the public waterways of Texas is required to take a boater education certification course. Courses teach necessary safety equipment, navigation rules, how to operate your boat and state laws for boating.

Laws aren't in place to be confusing or complicated. These things are put in place to keep everyone safe and secure while they are out on the water.

So let's see what you know. 

How many of these 10 questions will you get right? 

• The Texas Water Safety Act states a boat operator is ______ responsible for the wake caused by a boat until _________. 
  • The Texas Water Safety Act states a boat operator is always responsible for the wake caused by a boat until it flattens out.
    That means a watercraft operator can be held responsible for injury to people (think swimmers, fishermen, etc.) or damage caused by a wake to another person's property, whether that's a floating dock or a moored watercraft.
     
• No Wake Zones are the area where boats and personal watercraft must __________________.
  • No Wake Zones are the area where boats and personal watercraft must operate at a slow headway speed that does not create a wake or swell.
    This zone includes areas within 100 feet of the shoreline or any boathouse, dock or other lakeshore facility, including an occupied watercraft or an area where people are swimming or diving on a BRA reservoir.
     
• Violators of a No Wake Zone could cost the watercraft operator $____?
  • The Class C citation would cost a boater up to $500.
     
• True or False: You can tie a boat or watercraft to a buoy.
  • False. You cannot tie a boat or watercraft to a buoy unless it is specifically a mooring buoy, per the Texas Water Safety Act.
     
• Mid-channel markers are strategically placed on a lake to indicate _________________.
  • Mid-channel markers are strategically placed on a lake to indicate the center or the deepest part of the lake.
    Boaters may pass these buoys on either side, and they are lighted for navigational assistance in low-light conditions.
     
• The operator of a boat involved in an accident must file a report if: 
  a. A person dies
  b. A person is injured
  c. Property damage to any property is $500 or more
  d. Any of the above.

  • d. Any of the above. 

• Buoys with crossed diamonds on them indicate areas that __________.
  • Buoys with crossed diamonds on them indicate areas that are off-limits to all vessels.
    Areas with buoys like this could surround zones where visitors are permitted to swim, are located near the dam, or in areas where there is a water intake or spillway.
     
• True or False: Operators of personal watercraft can jump all the wakes of another vessel.
  • False. Per state law, it is unlawful for anyone to operate a personal watercraft and jump the wake of another vessel recklessly or unnecessarily close.
     
• What forms of identification must a person carry on board?
  • Persons subject to this law must have a picture identification card and a boater education certification card issued by the department in their possession.
     
• On recreational vessels underway, those under __ years old must wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket unless they are below decks or in an enclosed cabin. Adults must have a properly fitted life jacket that is ____.
  • Texas State law states that on recreational vessels underway, children under 13 years old must wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket unless they are below decks or in an enclosed cabin. Adults must have a properly fitting life jacket that is easily accessible.

So how did you do?

With people flocking to the water mostly seasonally, it's important to remember to take the time to freshen up on watercraft laws. It's not just a lawful matter, but a practice that can help ensure everyone enjoys the reservoir or the river gets home safely. 

No matter what, always remember to Watch Your Wake.

Take an online Boater Education course here.