We cannot go back and change the past, but we can make laws governing boating safety that can save lives in the future.
When boating laws change in Georgia on Tuesday, July 1, 2014, all persons born on or after January 1, 1998, who operate any motorized vessel on the waters of the state must complete a boat education course approved by the department prior to such operation.
There are a couple of obvious exemptions for:
- a person licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard as a master of a vessel;
- a person operating on a private lake or pond;
- a non-resident who has in his or her possession proof that he or she has completed a NASBLA approved boater education course or equivalency examination from another state.
Updates in Georgia’s boating laws stem from actions taken after the untimely deaths of Kile Glover, and Jake & Griffin Prince on Lake Lanier.
Click Here for Governor Deal Signing Senate Bill 136
Youngsters at the helm must know Georgia’s new safety regulations before operating a vessel on public waters, including:
- life jacket safety
- the 100-foot law
- minimum age limits for boat operators
- boating under the influence
- simple rules of navigation.
There are several ways you can take a boating education course, including classroom, home study and online. Some are free and some are not. Read the information below and click on the handy links to find the course that is best for you.
Classroom Courses:
- DNR Law Enforcement: (click here, select Boat Education and your County to obtain a local phone number to call about classes scheduled in your area.)
- US Coast Guard Auxiliary 7th District (Courses may include some cost to cover materials – ask for full details from class contact person before enrolling)
–Lake Lanier Flotilla 29 Boating Education Courses. Find a Class
–Lake Allatoona Flotilla 22 Boating Education Courses. Find a Class - US Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 10-10 7th District, St Simons Island, GA . Schedule of classes listed on website and links to the national site where the entire years schedule is listed for our Flotilla. We are the only Flotilla offering the “Suddenly in Command” class for free anywhere on the east coast and the only Flotilla offering the comprehensive “Boating Skills and Seamanship” course in Georgia.
- United States Power Squadrons, public boating courses, advanced courses and seminars.
- Atlanta Sail & Power Squadron, Check this website for boating safety classes, seminars, and on the water training around Lake Lanier and Lake Allatoona.
- Golden Isles Sail and Power Squadron. Check this website for boating safety classes, seminars, and on the water training near the southern Georgia Coast.
- Tybee Light Sail and Power Squadron. Check this website for boating safety classes, seminars, and on the water training near the Savannah/Richmond Hill coast.
- Muscogee Sail and Power Squadron, Check this website for boating safety classes, seminars, and on the water training near West Point, Harding, Oliver and Goat Rock.
Home Study Courses:
- Boat-Ed Go online or Call 1-800-460-9698 to order book, test and VHS tape ($24.95 + $5 shipping).
- United States Power Squadron-America’s Boating Course ($34.95 plus S&H will give you a 224-page manual and CD for home study AND a “pin” number if you prefer to take the course online).
On-line Courses:
- Boat-Ed 1-800-830-2268 ($29.50 No Pass, No Pay)
- Boater Exam ($29.95 No Pass, No Pay)
- Boat US Foundation 1-800-336-2628 (Free Course)
