Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources
A Special Message to the Boaters of Minnesota
Minnesota has over 4,000 square miles of water, an area
larger than the states of Rhode Island and Delaware combined.
We have 12,000 lakes, innumerable ponds and marshes, and
25,000 miles of streams and rivers which, if linked together,
would circle the globe. Some of these more inaccessible waters
are used by a few hardy souls, while others, such as Lake
Minnetonka near Minneapolis, are used by thousands for many
recreational purposes.
There are over 900, 000 watercraft registered with the Department
of Natural Resources License Center in St. Paul. Considering
the large number of participants in Minnesota, water-based
recreation is a relatively safe pastime. Still, over a ten
year period, an average of 54 persons died in water accidents
each year in the state. In addition, many more people are
injured and hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of property
damage results from boating mishaps.
Your water fun depends on you, your equipment and other
people who, like you, enjoy spending leisure time on, in,
or near the water. Let's look at your responsibilities:
- As a boat operator, you are the "captain of the
ship." You are legally obligated to know the federal,
state and local regulations that apply to your watercraft
and the waters where you go boating.
- It is also your obligation to have the safety equipment
required by law, to keep it in good condition and on board,
and know how to properly use these devices.
- You must have a complete knowledge of your boat, its
handling and the boating rules of the road.
- Another responsibility of the boat operator is the boat's
passengers. You are responsible for your actions, and those
of your passengers from the time you leave the dock to
the time you return.
- Water users have a final responsibility which is frequently
overlooked. This is an obligation to recognize that other
people who enjoy our lakes and rivers have interests which
may be similar to or directly opposite their own. For example,
not all people enjoy water skiing or personal watercraft.
This course is designed to assist you in attaining two primary
objectives: (1) to help you qualify for a Minnesota Watercraft
Operator's Permit, and (2) to help you become a better informed
and safer operator. Good luck and welcome aboard!
Stay up to date on new boating laws!
Be sure to stay abreast of new boating laws and requirements.
For state boating law information, contact the Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources:
For federal boating laws, call the U.S. Coast Guard’s
Boating Safety Infoline at 1-800-368-5647. Information in
this website does not replace what is specifically legal
for boating in Minnesota, which is found in Minnesota statutes
and rules, and federal laws.
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