Recreational boating has shot into popularity over the years. The National Marine Manufacturer’s Association has recorded a record figure of 310,000 new boats being sold in the middle of the pandemic in 2020 amid all the chaos and the world coming to a complete halt.
Boating has indeed been a passion of many, and most people even go beyond their dreams to buy one. However, when it comes to getting a license, they find it a hassle and often sell their boats despite the year-long planning for a dream vacation.
This blog will guide you to get your boating license in no time so that you can put your plans fast forward and start packing your bags for that getaway you have always been planning for. Whether you are going for a yacht, a jet boat, sailboat, kayak, fishing boat, or something more extravagant, you need to have a license that will get you beyond that line where plans remain a dream.
What Comes First?
Getting a boating license is dependent on State Boating Rules & Regulations. Most boats require a Boating Safety & Education Certificate (also known as a boating license) before you sail into the deep waters. The courses are not as comprehensive as those for a vehicle driver’s license, and there is usually no on-water education required for the driver.
The 3-Step Guide
1. Do Your Research
It is really easy nowadays to get this done, especially when you just need a quiet room to browse through the internet on your laptop and be prepared for the next steps. As mentioned earlier, different states have different boater education requirements, and you need to find out what your state requires.
A good starting point would be the National Association of Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), which has a ‘basic training requirements for each state’ webpage. Once you get hold of this information, the rest is about meeting the requirements.
2. Successfully Complete a Course Online or In-Person.
The boating education or license course is usually administered by a 3rd party, charging a course fee between $29 and $50, paid after successfully completing the course. On the other hand, the BoatUS Foundation offers this license at no cost in 35 states. The course is 3-hours long, but you do not need to complete it in one sitting.
The point of the course is to raise awareness. It covers basic boating terminology, so they are not that hard to pass. Once you pass, you get your license and the green signal to sail the waters.
3. Carry your Boater’s Card Whenever You Start Sailing
Do not forget to carry your boater’s card or license whenever you are out on the water. Failure to present one to the authorities could result in penalties and fines as with all licenses.
If you have just passed your test, you need to carry your temporary boater’s card during the 90-day window. You may also need to carry your course completion certificate as a supporting document.
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