Question about BoatUs online course for VA/DC/MD

[MonacoMike]

Mike I was also curious about other states here is what DC states.

The MPD Harbor Patrol Unit will be hosting boating safety classes for the 2012
boating season. The Boating Safety course is designed to educate boaters of the
legal requirements, navigational rules, safety equipment, risks of boating
accidents, and other issues pertaining to safe boating. Anyone operating a
vessel on District of Columbia waterways is required to have a Boating Safety
Certificate. The Boating Safety Certificate is issued to individuals who
successfully complete the Boating Safety course.

http://mpdc.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1...7C31855%7C.asp

What are: "District of Columbia waterways"?

MM

[alnav]

What are: "District of Columbia waterways"?

MM

District Waters
- the area of all navigable waters within the District of Columbia and the shores and structures adjacent to those waters.

[MonacoMike]

My thinking is you need the certification of the state you live or boat from. If this is wrong please let me know. I live in a state without a course requirement so I do not think one is needed in other states waters as long as I am from a state without.

MM

Mike, each state seems to be different but in general, the requirement is to have completed a course approved by the state, the evidence is the certificate of successful completion. BoatUS has an online learning center with a map which leads to a page for each state; not all accept the BoatUS course (Maryland, for example). Interestingly, it looks like most all states do have a requirement, but it's grandfathered by age so more and more of the folks on this forum (and us old people's children) do need to conform.
Not sure your assumption about living in a state without a requirement for your age group exempts you from needing it if you go to a place that does. The reason the OP and I need to be compliant is that if you drive your boat into District of Columbia waters (which requires a Boating Safety course completion regardless of age) you may get cited if you can't produce an approved course completion certification.

My rational was the same as driving. Every state sets their own insurance limits for cars regesterd there but I do not have to conform to every states limits just mine to be legal. If I leave Indiana waters on the great loop and find myself in DC waters they could cite me? Which is what I hope to get answered here definitively.

MM

Yes, they could and would cite you.

That's what the locals tell me and why I am taking the DC version. FYI, there are several DC specific questions in each section. I would think that DC wants you to prove you've seen all those DC specifics if they stop you.

District Waters
- the area of all navigable waters within the District of Columbia and the shores and structures adjacent to those waters.

This topic has it's own thread now


http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php...ne-may-boat-in

[Mikemapva]

Mike,

In answer to your question above about DC waterways, I'll give a little local knowledge.

The navigable part of the Potomac River is bordered by Virginia on one side and DC and Maryland on the other. In colonial times, it was decided that the boundary line would not be down the middle as in most areas, but instead is the mean low waterline on the Virginia shore. This means that effectively the entire river belongs to Maryland and DC. So, the navigable waters in DC are essentially the Potomac River north of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and the Anacostia River. This includes the water off of Alexandria and Arlington, VA.

This boundary has lead to some interesting twists over the years. Back in the 1950's slot machines were illegal in Virginia, but legal in Maryland, so piers were built from Virginia into Maryland territory and the slots were declared legal. Today, one of my boating favorite restaurants, Tim's 2 in Fairview Beach, VA, has to follow Maryland liquor laws as the restaurant is on a pier.

Mike

[MonacoMike]

Mike,

In answer to your question above about DC waterways, I'll give a little local knowledge.

The navigable part of the Potomac River is bordered by Virginia on one side and DC and Maryland on the other. In colonial times, it was decided that the boundary line would not be down the middle as in most areas, but instead is the mean low waterline on the Virginia shore. This means that effectively the entire river belongs to Maryland and DC. So, the navigable waters in DC are essentially the Potomac River north of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and the Anacostia River. This includes the water off of Alexandria and Arlington, VA.

This boundary has lead to some interesting twists over the years. Back in the 1950's slot machines were illegal in Virginia, but legal in Maryland, so piers were built from Virginia into Maryland territory and the slots were declared legal. Today, one of my boating favorite restaurants, Tim's 2 in Fairview Beach, VA, has to follow Maryland liquor laws as the restaurant is on a pier.

Mike

Thanks, MM