Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Who May Operate a Vessel

• There is no minimum age or education requirements for operation of vessels other than personal watercraft.
• Those 13 years of age and younger may not operate a personal watercraft (PWC) under any conditions.
• Those 14 and 15 years of age may operate a PWC only if they have passed a boating safety course approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA). These operators must carry their proof of course completion on board whenever they operate a personal watercraft.
• Those 16 years of age and older may operate a PWC without boating safety course requirements.