After a law passed last September, Texas boaters born on or after Sept. 1, 1993 were required to have boater safety education when operating personal watercraft, vessels with 15 or more horsepower or wind-powered vessels longer than 14 feet. Until recently, the boater had to pay out of pocket for such a course, which started at about $20. However, the BoatUS Foundation is now offering Texas boaters a no-cost online boating safety course that meets the requirements of the law.
The course is approved by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, as well as being recognized by the United States Coast Guard as exceeding the National Recreation Boating Safety Program minimum requirements.
Upon successfully completing the online course, boaters can print a Certificate of Completion, and the state will send them an official Boater Education Card, which must be kept at all times when boating along with a photo I.D. Passing the course could earn a discount on boat insurance for boaters born before Sept. 1, 1993, even though they are not required to take the course.
The maritime lawyers and at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P., Accident & Injury Lawyers represent persons injured or families of those killed in boating accidents across Texas and around the country.
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