Welcome Montana Boaters!

This handbook is published by Boat Ed, the official provider of Montana's boating safety materials. Although this handbook is a convenient reference tool, students wanting to receive official Montana boating safety certification would benefit from studying Boat Ed's comprehensive boat safety course.

All boating safety course material has been developed in conjunction with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and is the same material used in their classroom courses. Take the official Montana boating safety course.

In This Handbook

Boating Basics includes: vessel length and capacity, fueling, float plans, navigational rules, U.S. Aids to Navigation, weather and other boating emergencies, and personal watercraft (PWC) basics.

It's the Law includes: registering information, registration fees, display of numbers, legal operating age, required equipment, unlawful operation, boating under the influence, reporting accidents, enforcement, environmental restrictions, and laws governing PWC and vessels towing skiers.

Montana enforcement officers patrol our waterways to make your boating experience safe and pleasant. Cooperate with them by following the suggestions outlined in this handbook as well as the rules of common courtesy while operating your boat.

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