Get your kids ready for boating season with a free online boating safety course.
It’s hard to imagine long, sunny days at the lake or river, but this will become a reality! Get your children educated and certified to experience a safe and fun season on the water.
The State of Ohio requires anyone born after 1981, operating a boat greater than 10 horsepower, to have boater education.
Operator age limits in Ohio for personal watercraft (jet skis, etc.) follow:
- Under 12 years not permitted
- 12-15 years need a supervising adult 18+ on board
- 16-year-olds may operate alone as long as they have an education card/certificate
In West Virginia, a boater safety course is required for anyone born after 1986.
- 12 to 14-year-olds must complete a boating safety course to operate alone unless the vessel’s motor is 10 horsepower or less, or accompanied by a person 18 or older.
The Boat U.S. Foundation offers the only free online boating safety course at boatus.org. Students learn to operate and maintain their boats, legal requirements for boating and what to do in emergencies. This ensures boating will remain safe and fun!
Your child can complete the course at his or her own pace on a desktop, laptop, tablet or mobile phone. It’s not just for kids! Adults, even those not required by law, can register for the course as a refresher or earn their own certification.
Allow four to eight hours for each course. The state-approved Ohio and West Virginia courses consist of six lessons, each containing a 10-question quiz. The final exam asks 75 randomly pulled questions. After studying and passing the online course, print out your own certificate of completion for free.
Free Ohio Division of Parks & Watercraft boating safety course
Free West Virginia Division of Natural Resources course
For younger children, the Ohio State Parks & Watercraft Division offers free printables to “Help Sara Boat Safely,” providing educational boat safety activities for kids.
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