Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Who May Operate a Vessel or a PWC
Who May Operate a Vessel - Effective May 1, 2010
A person younger than 26 years old may operate a vessel with a motor of 10
horsepower or greater on North Carolina waters only if he or she:
- Completes and passes a boating safety course that is approved by the
National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and
accepted by the Wildlife Resources Commission or…
- Is accompanied on board by and under the direct supervision of a person
who is at least 26 years old or…
- Is accompanied on board by and under the direct supervision of a person
who is at least 18 years old and who has passed an approved boating safety
course.
Anyone operating a vessel with a motor of 10 horsepower or greater must:
- Carry on board his or her boater education certification card or other proof
of compliance with the new law (see below) and…
- Make the card or other proof available upon request by an enforcement
officer.
Who May Operate a PWC - Effective May 1, 2010
A person younger than 14 years old may not operate a PWC legally.
A person 14 or 15 years old may operate a PWC only if:
- He or she is accompanied on board the PWC by a person who is at least 18
years old and who is in compliance with the requirements for operating a
vessel (see “Who May Operate a Vessel”) or…
- He or she has on his or her person identification showing proof of age and
a boating certification card showing proof of passing a boating safety course
approved by NASBLA and accepted by the Wildlife Resources Commission.
It is unlawful for the owner of a PWC to knowingly allow a person under the
age of 16 to operate a PWC unless they meet the above requirements.
It is unlawful for a person who has temporary or permanent responsibility for
a person under the age of 16 to knowingly allow that person to operate a PWC
unless they meet the above requirements.
A personal watercraft livery (rental agency) must give instructions on safe PWC
operation before allowing anyone to operate a leased PWC.
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