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New Boating Laws. Are you aware?
May 14, 2010
As of May first, North Carolina requires that all personal watercraft (PWC) and boat operators under age 26 must have proof of taking a boating course, if they are operating a vessel with an 10 HP engine or greater.
Since Lake Gaston is in both North Carolina and Virginia, if you live in Virginia and are boating in North Carolina you are only required to meet Virginia rules regarding a boating course.
In Virginia there is no current requirement for motorboat operators to have taken the course. However, all PWC operators 20 years old and younger must. This is the beginning of a phase-in of the course requirements for all Virginia boaters.
Beginning July 1, 2010, all Virginia PWC operators 35 and younger must complete a boating safety course. In July 2011, the age moves to 50 and operators of motorboats under the age of 20 are also required to complete the safe boating course.
In both states, no one under the age of 14 may operate a PWC.
On motorboats, both states require an available life jacket for each person on board plus a throwable ring buoy or seat cushion. There is a North Carolina law and a Federal law that requires children aged 13 and younger be wearing their life jacket unless they are below deck in an enclosed cabin.
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