Kansas Boating Handbook Table of Contents

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• Boater Education

It's The Law

It's The Law: Before Going Out

• Registering Your Vessel
  • Assigned Numbers and Registration Decals
  • Where to Register
  • Registration Fees
• Hull Identification Number
• Who May Operate a Vessel

It's the Law: Required Equipment

• Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)
• Navigation Lights
• Fire Extinguishers
• Ventilation Systems
• Mufflers and Noise Level Limits
• Backfire Flame Arrestors
• Sound-Producing Devices
• Visual Distress Signals (VDSs)
• Other Equipment and Regulations
  • Diver-Down Flags
  • Skier-Down Flag
  • Capacity Plates
  • Marine Events
  • Local Regulations

It's the Law: On the Water

• Unlawful Operation
• Obstructing Navigation
• Homeland Security Restrictions
• Alcohol and Drugs
• Boating Accidents and Casualties
• Enforcement
• Discharge of Waste
• Discharge of Oil and Other Hazardous Substances
• Discharge of Trash

It's the Law: Specifically for PWCs

• Requirements Specific to PWCs

It's the Law: Specifically for Skiing

• Requirements for Towing Skiers
• Hand Signals for Skiers

Boating Basics

Boating Basics: Before Going Out

• Vessel Length Classes
• Vessel Capacity
• Fueling a Vessel
• Fuel Selector Switch on a PWC
• Preventing Theft
• Filing a Float Plan
• Pre-Departure Checklist
• Sample Float Plan

Boating Basics: On the Water

• Encountering Other Vessels
• Navigation Rules
• Nighttime Navigation
• U.S. Aids to Navigation System
  • Lateral Markers
  • Non-Lateral Markers
• Weather Emergencies

Boating Basics: Specifically for PWCs

• Steering and Stopping a PWC
• Ignition Safety Switches
• Reboarding a Capsized PWC
• Courtesy When Encountering Other Vessels
• Environmental Considerations
• Other PWC Considerations

Good to Know

• Kansas Required Equipment Checklist
• Kansas Pumpout Station Locations
• PDF Version of this Handbook (prints well)