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Has anyone heard of a boating certificate needed to operate in Florida? Suppose to be a new thing.

"Updated" Boating Safety Education Requirements
Anyone born on or after January 1, 1988 who operates a vessel powered by 10 horsepower or more must pass an approved boater safety course and have in his/her possession photographic identification and a boating safety education identification card issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
The following operators are exempt:
A person licensed by the U. S. Coast Guard as a master of a vessel.
A person operating on a private lake or pond.
An operator who is accompanied onboard by a person who is least 18 years old and possesses the required Boating Safety Education Identification Card, provided that person is attendant to and responsible for the safe operation of the vessel.
An operator who is accompanied onboard by a person who is exempt from the educational requirements, provided that person is attendant to and responsible for the safe operation of the vessel.
A non-resident who has in his or her possession proof that he or she has completed a NASBLA-approved boater safety course or equivalency examination from another state.
A person who is operating a vessel within 90 days after the purchase of that vessel, provided they have available for inspection aboard that vessel, a bill of sale meeting all the requirements as established in Chapter 328.46(1), Florida Statutes.

A non-resident who has in his or her possession proof that he or she has completed a NASBLA-approved boater safety course or equivalency examination from another state.

So this is all provided that you were born after 1988? So I don't need jack?

chugbug wrote:A non-resident who has in his or her possession proof that he or she has completed a NASBLA-approved boater safety course or equivalency examination from another state.

So this is all provided that you were born after 1988? So I don't need jack?

You are REQUIRED to have it but it's not a bad idea to have some sort of safety course. A lot of people get hurt every year because of lack of instruction. Not saying you're one of them but it ain't a bad idea.

I had one way back when. Just wondering if you'd get a ticket for not having it. I agree. A little boater training would go a LONG way.

As I read it, If you were 23 or older on December 31 2009, the new reg does not apply.

I took the Coast Guard Auxiliary's course last year with my teenage son. Glad he is legal to drive the boat.

It was a long day. Seemed like the content was geared to about an 8th-grade level. I guess that's about where it needs to be.

Sir reel wrote:As I read it, If you were 23 or older on December 31 2009, the new reg does not apply.

All my kids and some grands are older than that.

Not saying I can't use the instruction....!

There should be a special course for the Econfina area!

RHTFISH wrote:There should be a special course for the Econfina area!

There is, " Hammer down until it sounds expensive."