It's the Law: Before Going Out

Who May Operate a Vessel

• All those born on or after January 1, 1986, are required to pass an approved boater education course before they legally may operate any vessel powered by a motor of more than 10 horsepower.
• Anyone operating a personal watercraft, regardless of age, must have passed an approved boater education course.
• The boater education course must be one that is approved by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.
• Operators who are required to have passed a boater education course must carry on board their certificate of completion. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management will issue certificates of completion to boaters passing approved courses.

• Operators of vessels other than personal watercraft are exempt from the requirements for mandatory boater education for any of the following reasons.
• They are supervised on board by a person 18 years of age or older who has met the education requirements or …
  
• They hold a valid commercial vessel operator's license or …
  
• They are not a resident of Rhode Island and meet the requirements of their state of residence or …
  
• They have been a resident of Rhode Island for 60 days or less or …
  
• They are operating a rented vessel and have successfully completed the requirements for renters (renters of vessels powered by a motor of more than 10 horsepower must watch an instructional video and pass a written examination prior to operation).
• There are no exemptions for personal watercraft operators. All PWC operators must have passed an approved boating safety course in Rhode Island or their state of residence.