Texas has 1.7 million acres of freshwater lakes, 4 million acres of saltwater, 80,000 miles of river and roughly 590,000 recreational water vessels.
Just like driving a car, boating requires knowledge and skills, and education ensures boaters understand the rules and stay safe on the water.
Who must take a boater education certification course?
Texas requires anyone born on or after September 1, 1993, to have taken a boater education course. That means anyone who is 31 years of age or younger needs to take the course, pass the course and carry the certification card with you while out on the water.
The boater education course is required in order to operate a vessel over 15 hp or a windblown vessel over 14 feet. Children under the age of 13 are prohibited from operating a personal watercraft (PWC) unless they are accompanied onboard by a person at least 18 years of age who is legally allowed to operate a PWC.
According to Boat Safe, nearly every state requires boaters to have some form of formal boat safety education. Most states will allow you to use your out-of-state certification; however, if you’re visiting another state, you are expected to follow the requirements in that state.
Where can you take a boater education course?
According to Kyle Lewis, project manager/program coordinator for the Brazos River Authority (BRA) at Lake Granbury, everyone should take a boater safety course, even if it’s not required, “It will provide you a refresher on navigation rules, safety equipment requirements, nighttime vessel lighting requirements and update you on any new law or regulation changes,” Lewis said. "Additionally, some insurance companies may even give you rate discounts, similar to a Driver Safety Course.”
The boater education course is online. Look for a course that is approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and recognized by the United States Coast Guard.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) provides a list of approved online education courses here. They also answer a variety of questions about boater education here.
Additional boater safety requirements
Just like driving a car, boat operators are subject to boating while intoxicated (BWI) laws. Open containers are legal on the water, but operators and passengers are subject to public intoxication laws. Boating while intoxicated (BWI) carries a state jail felony if any passenger is under the age of 15 and could also result in a fine.
Boater safety checks are periodically made by lake rangers or game wardens. When they make a stop, they are checking for specific items.
Not only do they want to see your boater education course card if you are 31 years old or younger, but they are also looking for additional boater safety requirements.
You need to have the following for all water vessels:
- At least one bright light in a location that is visible from all directions at all times from sunset to sunrise in all weather conditions
- A Type I, II, III or V wearable Personal Flotation Device (PFD) for each person on board at any time
- Vessels over 16 feet in length must have at least one Type IV throwable PFD
- Vessels with a motor must carry a whistle, horn, bell or equivalent sound-making device to signal for help in case of emergency.
- Current/up-to-date registration
- A driver cut-off switch that must be in use
- Visible certificate of number and the proper display of TX numbers
- An observer while towing a skier, tuber, etc.
High temperatures and longer days will soon be here. Now is the time to enroll in a boater education course and gather all the safety items you need to safely be out on the water.
In the end, boater education isn’t just about learning the rules; it’s about ensuring safety and enjoyment for everyone on the water.