02-13-2013, 07:10 PM
A number of state and local boating laws, regulations and policy changes have taken effect for 2013 throughout the United States. Sea Tow Services International, Inc. and the Sea Tow Foundation remind boaters to review the boating laws in their home waters and in the states where they plan to go boating this year, in order to familiarize themselves with any new regulations or requirements.
For example, as of Jan. 1, 2013, Illinois boaters now must clean and remove all plants and animals from boats before transporting them as part of a statewide effort to stop aquatic nuisance species.
And, effective Jan. 1, on Lake Mead and Lake Mohave, boats that do not meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules for gasoline spark-ignition marine engines are prohibited.
Requirements for completing approved boating education courses also vary from state to state. In Florida, for example, any boater born on or after Jan. 1, 1988, who is operating a boat powered with a motor of 10-hp or more, is required to pass a boating education course. However, in New Jersey, all powerboaters, regardless of their age or the size of the boat's motor, are required to pass a boating safety course - even if they are just visiting the state.
The minimum age to operate a boat also differs from state to state. In New York, the minimum age to operate a vessel alone is 10 years old for a powerboat and 14 for a personal watercraft, as long as the operator has a boating education certificate. In Texas, the age requirement is 13 years old for boats with motors over 15-hp, once they satisfy the boater education requirement. In California, a personal watercraft or other powerboat operator must be at least 16 years old to operate alone.
"Boating isn't like driving a car," said Sea Tow Foundation Executive Director Gail R. Kulp, CAE. "The laws can vary greatly as you cross from one state into another and, unlike the highways, there isn't always signage on the water to let you know that you have drifted into another state with different rules and regulations."
Ignorance of the law is no excuse, so it pays to refresh your knowledge of the boating laws in states where you plan to go boating before you go on the water, as well as to learn about any regulation changes for 2013.
To help, the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) offers boaters information about the laws and policies for recreational boating safety within the 50 U.S. states and territories. NASBLA provides training, model acts, education standards and publications as part of the group's ongoing effort to reduce boating related deaths, injuries and property damages and ensure a safe, secure and enjoyable boating experience. To find the boating laws in your state and the states in which you plan to boat, you can visit their website at www.nasbla.org.
About the Sea Tow Foundation
In 2007, Sea Tow Founder and CEO Capt. Joe Frohnhoefer created the Sea Tow Foundation - a 501©(3) nonprofit organization - to promote safe boating practices. The Foundation's goal is to reduce accidents, fatalities and property damage related to recreational boating. For more information, please visit www.boatingsafety.com.
About Sea Tow<br />
Now celebrating its 30th Anniversary Year, Sea Tow Services International Inc. is the nation's leading on-water assistance provider. Established in 1983 by Founder & CEO Capt. Joe Frohnhoefer, Sea Tow now serves members in more than 100 locations throughout the United States, Europe, Australia, U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. For a full list of membership benefits, how to become a Sea Tow member, or to inquire about becoming a Sea Tow franchise owner, please visit seatow.com.
In addition to providing peace of mind on the water 24/7 to Sea Tow members and other boaters, Sea Tow also offers innovative, free boating safety and information services to the public, including the Sea Tow App for smartphones, Sea Tow's Automated Radio Check Service, and the nonprofit Sea Tow Foundation's Life Jacket Loaner Station program. For more information, visit www.seatow.com and www.boatingsafety.com.
Media Contact<br />
Louisa Beckett<br />
Turnkey Communications & PR, Inc.<br />
(772) 232-6457; 954-599-9355<br />
louisa@turnkeywords.com
Cindy McCaffery<br />
Sea Tow Services International, Inc.<br />
(631) 765-3660 x3161<br />
cindymccaffery@seatow.com
For example, as of Jan. 1, 2013, Illinois boaters now must clean and remove all plants and animals from boats before transporting them as part of a statewide effort to stop aquatic nuisance species.
And, effective Jan. 1, on Lake Mead and Lake Mohave, boats that do not meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules for gasoline spark-ignition marine engines are prohibited.
Requirements for completing approved boating education courses also vary from state to state. In Florida, for example, any boater born on or after Jan. 1, 1988, who is operating a boat powered with a motor of 10-hp or more, is required to pass a boating education course. However, in New Jersey, all powerboaters, regardless of their age or the size of the boat's motor, are required to pass a boating safety course - even if they are just visiting the state.
The minimum age to operate a boat also differs from state to state. In New York, the minimum age to operate a vessel alone is 10 years old for a powerboat and 14 for a personal watercraft, as long as the operator has a boating education certificate. In Texas, the age requirement is 13 years old for boats with motors over 15-hp, once they satisfy the boater education requirement. In California, a personal watercraft or other powerboat operator must be at least 16 years old to operate alone.
"Boating isn't like driving a car," said Sea Tow Foundation Executive Director Gail R. Kulp, CAE. "The laws can vary greatly as you cross from one state into another and, unlike the highways, there isn't always signage on the water to let you know that you have drifted into another state with different rules and regulations."
Ignorance of the law is no excuse, so it pays to refresh your knowledge of the boating laws in states where you plan to go boating before you go on the water, as well as to learn about any regulation changes for 2013.
To help, the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) offers boaters information about the laws and policies for recreational boating safety within the 50 U.S. states and territories. NASBLA provides training, model acts, education standards and publications as part of the group's ongoing effort to reduce boating related deaths, injuries and property damages and ensure a safe, secure and enjoyable boating experience. To find the boating laws in your state and the states in which you plan to boat, you can visit their website at www.nasbla.org.
About the Sea Tow Foundation
In 2007, Sea Tow Founder and CEO Capt. Joe Frohnhoefer created the Sea Tow Foundation - a 501©(3) nonprofit organization - to promote safe boating practices. The Foundation's goal is to reduce accidents, fatalities and property damage related to recreational boating. For more information, please visit www.boatingsafety.com.
About Sea Tow<br />
Now celebrating its 30th Anniversary Year, Sea Tow Services International Inc. is the nation's leading on-water assistance provider. Established in 1983 by Founder & CEO Capt. Joe Frohnhoefer, Sea Tow now serves members in more than 100 locations throughout the United States, Europe, Australia, U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. For a full list of membership benefits, how to become a Sea Tow member, or to inquire about becoming a Sea Tow franchise owner, please visit seatow.com.
In addition to providing peace of mind on the water 24/7 to Sea Tow members and other boaters, Sea Tow also offers innovative, free boating safety and information services to the public, including the Sea Tow App for smartphones, Sea Tow's Automated Radio Check Service, and the nonprofit Sea Tow Foundation's Life Jacket Loaner Station program. For more information, visit www.seatow.com and www.boatingsafety.com.
Media Contact<br />
Louisa Beckett<br />
Turnkey Communications & PR, Inc.<br />
(772) 232-6457; 954-599-9355<br />
louisa@turnkeywords.com
Cindy McCaffery<br />
Sea Tow Services International, Inc.<br />
(631) 765-3660 x3161<br />
cindymccaffery@seatow.com