According to federal law, every person on board any recreational boat needs to have a USCG-approved personal flotation device (PFD) (Type I, II, III, or V). If your boat is longer than 16 feet, you also need a throwable Type IV PFD that's easy to…
Summer boating is the highest-risk period on the water. US Coast Guard (USCG) statistics show peak fatalities in July and August caused by high traffic, alcohol use, and inexperienced operators. To ensure your safety and that of your passengers: In this guide, we explore summer…
Most people get their boating license in 3–8 hours of online course time, plus 2–4 weeks for the physical card to arrive. You can print a temporary card the moment you pass the final exam, and that temporary card is valid for legal operation in most…
In most states, it's illegal to operate a vessel without a boater education card, and the boating without license penalty includes fines of $100 to $500, even for a first offense. You could also have your boat impounded and your boating privileges suspended, along with…
If you're planning to rent a motorized boat in the US, you'll generally be required to have a boater education card. That's true even if you're not a boat owner yourself, as most rental companies have a boating license boat rental requirement. The simplest way…
