BOATING EDUCATION

Utah’s Boating Program aims to educate boaters about the laws and rules that promote public safety and protect our natural resources connected with boating activities in Utah. These efforts are funded through boat registration fees, a state tax on gasoline used in motorboats, and federal boating safety grants.

With an ever-increasing demand on Utah’s limited number of lakes, reservoirs, and rivers, boaters have the responsibility to practice and advocate safe, courteous, and ethical use of our waterways. This responsibility includes learning and obeying the boating safety laws and rules, properly registering boats, being environmentally conscious, and sharing the waterways with boaters, swimmer, and anglers.

Recent surveys indicate that more than 80 percent of Utah’s registered boat owners have not completed a boating safety course. This implies that a vast majority of Utah’s boaters are unaware of basic safety issues such as understanding the Navigation Rules, which safety equipment to carry on board, and how old a person must be to operate a boat. Not only will successful completion of this course increase your knowledge and participation in boating safety, but it may also reduce the premiums you pay to insure your boat.

All Utah boaters may take this boating safety course as a measure of increasing their boating knowledge and skills. This course does not meet Utah’s education requirement for PWC operators, ages 12 through 17.

However, Utah State Parks and Recreation recognizes this course as an additional tool for learning valuable boating safety information and common boat operation courtesies. Please continue this learning process by completing the Utah version of this course.

Penalties associated with a violation of the Utah Boating Act or Rules of the Board of Parks and Recreation:

Unless otherwise specified, any person who is convicted of a provision or rule under the Utah Boating Act is guilty of a class B misdemeanor. A class B misdemeanor is punishable with a fine up to $1,000 and/or up to 6 months in jail.

Operator Age, Educaiton, and Supervision Requirements

Motorboats (except for PWC):

• May be operated by a person 16 years old or older without age or supervision restrictions.
• May be operated by a person under 16 years of age only when accompanied on board and directly supervised by a responsible person who is at least 18 years old.

Sailboats:

• May be operated by a person 16 years old or older without age or supervision restrictions.
• May be operated by a person under 16 years of age may only when under the direct supervision of a responsible person who is at least 18 years old.