Americas Boating Course Texas State Boating Regulations Boating

America’s Boating Course • Texas State Boating Regulations Boating is fun… we’ll show you how 1 >>

Play TPWD-required videos at some point during the class It Never Happens to You https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=-q. ZJXEPh 6 PA Stop Zebra Mussels from Spreading https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=h 2 IIHv. WB 3 A 0 Boating is fun… we’ll show you how 2

Texas Boating Regulations Registration • After purchasing you have 20 days to register and title your boat. (All outboards must also be titled) • All motorboats and sailboats 14 feet or longer must be registered and display numbers and Texas decal. Canoes and Kayaks are exempted. • It is illegal to operate a motorboat, sailboat 14 feet or longer or PWC without a valid registration certificate on board. • Coast Guard Documented vessels must also register with Texas and display stickers on each side of the bow. • Display of Registration (TX) Number not required if current USCG Documentation remains in effect. Boating is fun… we’ll show you how 3 >>

Boating is fun… we’ll show you how 4 3/11

Texas Education • A TPW certified boating course and photo I. D. is required for any person born on or after Sept. 1, 1993, to operate a vessel of 15 or more horsepower or a sailboat over 14 feet. • Children under 13 are specifically prohibited from operating a PWC unless accompanied by an adult (18 years or older who can lawfully operate the PWC). Boating is fun… we’ll show you how 5 >>

Texas Safety Regulations • Children under 13 years must wear an approved PFD when underway in a motorboat under 26 feet in length. • Motorboats towing skiers must have an observer 13 years of age or older, or be equipped with a 4 by 4 inch mirror. • All Coast Guard rules for Sound Producing Devices, Lights, Distress Signals, Fire Extinguishers, (PFD’s) and other equipment must be followed. • All PFD’s must be readily accessible • Coast Guard Inland Rules of the Road must be followed. Boating is fun… we’ll show you how 6 >>

In Texas, It Is Unlawful To: • Operate beyond a reasonable and prudent speed. (Must be able to stop in visible distance ahead) • Cause a hazardous wake or wash • Circle swimmers or fisherman • Moor to any aid to safe operations (navigational aid) • Anchor in a channel where traffic is impeded • Operate in a swimming or other restricted area • Operate in a no wake zone at other than headway speed Boating is fun… we’ll show you how 7 >>

Unlawful To (Continued) • Water ski from 1/2 hr. after sunset to 1/2 hr. before sunrise • Operate any vessel with disregard for the rights and safety of others • Swim within 200 yards of sightseeing or excursion boat • Operate within 50 feet of a diver down flag (within 150 feet except at headway speed) • Operate while intoxicated (. 08 or higher) Boating is fun… we’ll show you how 8 >>

Texas PWC Regulations Personal Watercraft are boats and must adhere to all boating laws. Specific requirements for PWC’s: • Everyone on board or being towed behind a PWC must wear a US Coast Guard approved type I, III, or V PFD at all times. Inflatable PFD’s are not to be worn on PWC’s. • PWC may not be operated at night (sunset to sunrise). • No one under the age of 13 years may operate any PWC unless accompanied by an adult 18 years or older. Boating is fun… we’ll show you how 9 >>

TEXAS PERSONAL WATERCRAFT • A PWC may not be operated within 50 feet of another PWC, boat, platform, person, object or shore except at bare headway speed. • A PWC may not recklessly or unnecessarily close or jump the wake of another vessel. • The Registration Certificate must be onboard whenever the boat is being operated. • If equipped, the ignition safety switch must be attached to the operator’s body, clothing or PFD. Boating is fun… we’ll show you how 10 >>

REPORTABLE BOATING ACCIDENTS • Include accidents requiring medical treatment beyond first aid. • Include accidents that had a death or missing person. • Include accidents that cause more than $2000 total damage. • Must file a report to TPWD within 30 days on boating accidents involving injury, death or property damage exceeding $2000. Boating is fun… we’ll show you how 11 >>