The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries requirements for online boating safety courses changed effective January 1, 2009 and the NEW Boat Virginia Online Course meets those requirements. The old Boat Virginia course and test does not meet those requirements and was discontinued on December 31, 2008.

• Take the NEW Boat Virginia Online Course!
• Or, you can order the Boat Virginia Video Course

The course material below remains as a resource for all who boat on Virginia's waters—particularly experienced boaters who need a refresher, but not a boater education certificate.

Chapter 3: Operating Your Boat—Safely
Summary

You've completed the material of Chapter 3 of the online boating safety course!

You should now:

• Be able to cast off and dock under different wind and current conditions
• Know three major responsibilities of a vessel operator
• Know what to do when encountering another vessel
• Be able to use and interpret sound signals
• Know types of night navigation lights and how to interpret them
• Know what to do when encountering Lateral System buoys and markers
• Understand dangers inherent in boating near dams, locks and bridges and effects of tides and currents on vessels
• Be able to anchor correctly
• Be able to operate PWC safely and courteously
• Be strongly aware that power is required for steering control of PWC
• Understand how ignition safety switches work

If you haven't already completed the Chapter 3 review exercise, follow this link to take the Review Questions for Chapter 3: Operating Your Boat—Safely. Or, go through the interactive Flash animation below.