WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH—Aside from money, nothing can stop a 30-year-old from buying a boat and launching it into the water with no experience.
In North Carolina, those of age don’t even need to maintain a valid driver’s license. It is only required that individuals “provide proof” that their age meets or exceeds 30-years-old.
“There is no course, no type of training whatsoever that you have to receive when you buy a boat,” New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Jerry Brewer.
This requirement, or lack thereof, includes boats, or personal watercraft with a motor of 10 horsepower or more.
The specific law, passed in 2009, established a date that has not since been updated. Individuals born after Jan. 1, 1988 may operate a vessel if they complete a boater’s education course.
Major Chris Huebner at N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission said individuals operating a vessel born after the established date could be at risk of receiving a citation.
“The people can be warned or they can be given a citation,” Huebner said.
Failing to have completed an education course could have serious consequences.
“If somebody was involved in a boating accident and they didn’t have that boater education, that could be used in court or civilly, but that’s up to the (District Attorney),” Huebner said.
Boater’s safety day
The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Coast Guard Station Wrightsville Beach and N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will host its first ever “boater’s safety day” on Saturday, Feb. 24.
At the Wrightsville Beach boat ramp at 109 Causeway Drive, 30 spots will be reserved for vehicles that register ahead of time.
Brewer said that for new or untrained boaters, this free informational session will be a good opportunity to learn without any spring or summer crowding at the boat ramp.
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission regularly offers free boater education courses, but this is the first local multi-agency effort of the kind. Most boater education sessions do not involve hands-on training, and the “boater’s safety day” Saturday will offer instruction on loading and unloading vessels from a boat ramp.
Sergeant David Jordan at N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission said the informational session does not substitute for the required boater’s safety course for those aged 30 years and younger.
For a comprehensive list of boating guidelines in North Carolina, check out the Vessel’s Operations Guide. Interested boaters must call 910-798-4228 to register before Saturday’s class.
