Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Who May Operate a Vessel
The following operator age and boater education requirements
apply to operation of vessels on Oklahoma’s public waters.
A child under 12 years of age may not operate,
under any circumstances, a vessel powered by a motor or combination
of motors over 10 horsepower, a personal watercraft (PWC), or a
sail-powered vessel 16 feet or more in length.
A child 12 years of age or older but not yet 16 years
of age may operate a vessel powered by a motor or combination
of motors over 10 horsepower, a personal watercraft (PWC), or
a sail-powered vessel 16 feet or more in length only
if all of the following conditions are met.
- He or she has successfully completed an approved boating safety
education course or passed a proctored equivalency examination
and has received a Boating Safety Education Certificate and …
- He or she is supervised by a competent person who is at least
18 years of age.
- If the vessel is other than a personal watercraft: The
supervising person must be on board and in position to take
immediate control of the vessel.
- If the vessel is a personal watercraft: The person must
supervise visually within 500 yards of the PWC.
All vessel operators must carry on board one of the following:
- The original Boating Safety Education Certificate as proof
the operator meets the boater education requirements or …
- A photo ID that clearly shows the operator is 16 years of age
or older.
Non-residents who have successfully completed another state’s
boating safety education course or equivalency examination that
is approved by the Department of Public Safety are exempt from
Oklahoma’s boater education requirement. Also exempt are
children operating a personal watercraft in a “no wake” zone
while under the supervision of an adult.
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Boating Safety Education Certificate
Persons who require boating safety certification must carry
their certificate on board. Be aware that it is unlawful
to alter, forge, counterfeit, or falsify any Boating Safety
Education Certificate. |
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