Safe Boating Classes

Launching a boat and taking off into open water is fun and exhilarating. It’s a chance to get away from the pressures of work and school and enjoy the freedom of the great outdoors.

The thing is, even on the water there are some basic boating and water safety rules that apply. It’s important to know what the rules are and follow them, for your safety and the safety of others who are out there for the same reason as you – to have fun.

So what’s the easiest way to learn the rules? Take a boater education class. Classes cost as little as $13 and last about six hours. They can be taken in a classroom, online or at home.

You’ll get a cool certificate when you pass the course. And you may even qualify for lower boater insurance rates. Best of all – you’ll know how to play it safe on the water.

Why should you take a boater education class before operating a boat in Texas?

First off, you’ll know more than you did about playing it safe on the water. And you’ll earn a cool certificate to show off to your friends.

Second, you may be legally required to:

• Anyone born on or after September 1, 1984 and under the age of 18 must complete a boater education course before operating a boat.
• Boater certification from TPWD is required to legally operate:
  • Any vessel over 10 horsepower.
  • Any wind-blown vessel over 14 feet.
  • All personal watercraft.
• Some violations of the Texas Water Safety Act require completion of a course.

Courses must be approved by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). A certificate will be awarded upon successful completion of the course.

And third, you could save some bucks. Many boat insurance companies offer discounts upon successful completion of the boater education course.

Source: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department