America

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Americas Boating Course

• Texas State Boating Regulations

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Play TPWD-required videos at some point during
the class

• It Never Happens to You
• https//www.youtube.com/watch?v-qZJXEPh6PA
• Stop Zebra Mussels from Spreading
• https//www.youtube.com/watch?vh2IIHvWB3A0

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Texas BoatingRegulations
Registration

• After purchasing you have 20 days to register and
  title your boat. (All outboards must also be
  titled)
• All motorboats and sailboats 14 feet or longer
  must be registered and display numbers and Texas
  decal. Canoes and Kayaks are exempted.
• It is illegal to operate a motorboat, sailboat 14
  feet or longer or PWC without a valid
  registration certificate on board.
• Coast Guard Documented vessels must also register
  with Texas and display stickers on each side of
  the bow.
• Display of Registration (TX) Number not required
  if current USCG Documentation remains in effect.

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3/11
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Texas Education

• A TPW certified boating course and photo I.D. is
  required for any person born on or after Sept. 1,
  1993, to operate a vessel of 15 or more
  horsepower or a sailboat over 14 feet.
• Children under 13 are specifically prohibited
  from operating a PWC unless accompanied by an
  adult (18 years or older who can lawfully operate
  the PWC).

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Texas Safety Regulations

• Children under 13 years must wear an approved PFD
  when underway in a motorboat under 26 feet in
  length.
• Motorboats towing skiers must have an observer 13
  years of age or older, or be equipped with a 4 by
  4 inch mirror.
• All Coast Guard rules for Sound Producing
  Devices, Lights, Distress Signals, Fire
  Extinguishers, (PFDs) and other equipment must
  be followed.
• All PFDs must be readily accessible
• Coast Guard Inland Rules of the Road must be
  followed.

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In Texas, It Is Unlawful To

• Operate beyond a reasonable and prudent speed.
  (Must be able to stop in visible distance ahead)
• Cause a hazardous wake or wash
• Circle swimmers or fisherman
• Moor to any aid to safe operations (navigational
  aid)
• Anchor in a channel where traffic is impeded
• Operate in a swimming or other restricted area
• Operate in a no wake zone at other than headway
  speed

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Unlawful To (Continued)

• Water ski from 1/2 hr. after sunset to 1/2 hr.
  before sunrise
• Operate any vessel with disregard for the rights
  and safety of others
• Swim within 200 yards of sightseeing or excursion
  boat
• Operate within 50 feet of a diver down flag
  (within 150 feet except at headway speed)
• Operate while intoxicated (.08 or higher)

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Texas PWC Regulations
Personal Watercraft are boats and must adhere to
all boating laws.

• Specific requirements for PWCs
• Everyone on board or being towed behind a PWC
  must wear a US Coast Guard approved type I, II,
  III, or V PFD at all times. Inflatable PFDs are
  not to be worn on PWCs.
• PWC may not be operated at night (sunset to
  sunrise).
• No one under the age of 13 years may operate any
  PWC unless accompanied by an adult 18 years or
  older.

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TEXAS PERSONAL WATERCRAFT

• A PWC may not be operated within 50 feet of
  another PWC, boat, platform, person, object or
  shore except at bare headway speed.
• A PWC may not recklessly or unnecessarily close
  or jump the wake of another vessel.
• The Registration Certificate must be onboard
  whenever the boat is being operated.
• If equipped, the ignition safety switch must be
  attached to the operators body, clothing or PFD.
  

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REPORTABLE BOATING ACCIDENTS

• Include accidents requiring medical treatment
  beyond
• first aid.

• Include accidents that had a death or missing
  person.

• Include accidents that cause more than 2000
  total damage.

• Must file a report to TPWD within 30 days on
  boating accidents involving injury, death or
  property damage
• exceeding 2000.

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