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California Boating
A Course for Safe Boating
Chapter 2
u
Boating Law, Navigational Rules and Navigational Aids
AGE
OF
OPERATOR
In California
A person must be 16 years of age or older to operate a vessel powered by
a motor of more than 15 horsepower.
Exceptions
: There is no age limit to
operate a sailboat under 30 feet long (if using wind as the main source of
propulsion), or a dinghy used directly between a moored vessel and the
shoreline or between two moored vessels.
People 12 to 15 years of age may operate any vessel powered by a motor
of more than 15-horsepower, if they’re supervised on board by someone at
least 18 years of age.
REVIEW QUESTIONS: BOATING LAW
Answer these questions by circling
T
for true or
F
for false.
1. The Coast Guard enforces the law on state and federal waters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T F
2. You are responsible for obeying boating laws you don’t know. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T F
3. The use of a blue light is reserved for law enforcement vessels. T F
4. Peace officers can order the operator of an unsafe vessel to shore. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T F
5. A person convicted of any moving violation while operating a vessel must complete and pass a
boating safety course. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T F
6. There are no penalties for making a false emergency report. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T F
7. A person must be at least 12 to operate a powerboat unsupervised. . . . . . . . . . . . . . T F
Turn to page 100 for correct answers
.