Furthermore, to prevent the occurrence of boat accidents. In Ohio, anyone who was born on or after January 1, 1982, must receive a boating education and a license before operating a powerboat that is 10 horsepower or more. Taking the time to know state requirements before you travel will not only keep you boating safely and legally, it will also give you additional peace of mind as you explore your next cruising destination. The Captain taking the "CON" is more of a military term, specifically relating to submarines that have a conning Tower versus a bridge. As a result of their blunder, they must take the boating safety course and successfully complete it before they can continue boating. The forms provided above are current based on the date of writing. We've added a "Necessary cookies only" option to the cookie consent popup. But it must be valid. No person under the age of 16 may operate a vessel that is engaged in tubing or water-skiing. But if you're certified to operate a boat in Florida, can you throttle up in California? 5. Usually, this force is outside the control of the captain or pilot of the boat. Source: 2000 North American Safe Boating Campaign. However, a rowboat is often much smaller than the other boats listed here, and youll have an easier time navigating smaller bodies of water with them. In Minnesota, you must attend a boating course between the ages of 12 to 17 years old if operating a motorboat that is over 25 horsepower. This class is above and beyond what is taught in a basic boating course which provides an introduction to boating safety. Sail means that youre controlling a sailing boat. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. As for boat operators under the age of 13, they must have a Boater Education Card in order to operate any kind of sailboat, PWC, or motorboat. My current boat is a 30 foot cutte. AceBoater.com has a practice test you can take to see whether youd pass your exam and earn your license. I believe pilot is the word you want, but as an alternative not yet mentioned, you can use skipper. Patrick Gibbs Lives in Everett, WA Upvoted by Quora User David has announced the passing of Papa Jim. Long live the legend You don't drive a boat you conn it - YouTube 0:00 / 11:20 You don't drive a boat you conn it beaversword 67 subscribers Subscribe 3 Share 160 views 7 months ago. It's important to be aware of changing education and operating requirements in the states you visit. In Maine, it is required that you must be 12 years of age to operate a motorboat with a horsepower of more than 10 unless supervised by a licensed person who is at least the age of 16. Boat safety courses typically feature review exams at the end of each chapter or section. If you plan to skipper your boat outside the state in which you reside, check state and local boating requirements to ensure you're on the right side of the law. It allows you to ensure that fumes in the compartment will not build up. When operating a motorboat, you dont right away sit on the drivers seat and start the engine. Therefore, when we use the phrase to drive a boat, it implies that something else not the captain or navigator is forcing the boats direction.