Oklahoma § 63-4232 - Definitions - Requirements for persons younger than

§ 63-4232. Definitions - Requirements for persons younger than

sixteen to operate certain motorized vessels, personal watercraft Boating Safety Education Certificate.

A. As used in this section:

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 63. Public Health and Safety

1. "Vessel" shall have the same meaning as defined in Section

4002 of Title 63 of the Oklahoma Statutes, but shall not include

personal watercraft; and

2. "Boating safety education course" means a course in safe

boating that meets or exceeds the minimum instruction standards as

established by the National Association of State Boating Law

Administrators in effect at the time the course is completed.

B. A person under sixteen (16) years of age shall not operate

any vessel, as defined in this section, powered by a motor or

combination of motors in excess of ten (10) horsepower or any sailpowered vessel sixteen (16) feet or greater in length on the waters

of this state unless the person has:

1. Successfully completed a boating safety education course or

has passed a proctored equivalency examination which tests the

knowledge of information included in the curriculum of such a

course; and

2. Received a Boating Safety Education Certificate as evidence

of successful completion of a boating safety education course or an

equivalency examination.

C. A person at least twelve (12) years of age, but who has not

reached sixteen (16) years of age, shall not operate a vessel, as

defined in this section, powered by a motor or combination of motors

in excess of ten (10) horsepower or any sail-powered vessel sixteen

(16) feet or greater in length on the waters of this state unless

the person:

1. Has met the requirements listed in subsection B of this

section; and

2. Is accompanied by a competent adult, eighteen (18) years of

age or older, who is in a position on or in the vessel to take

immediate control of the vessel being operated.

D. 1. A person under sixteen (16) years of age shall not

operate a personal watercraft unless the person has met the

requirements listed in subsection B of this section.

2. A person at least twelve (12) years of age, but who has not

reached sixteen (16) years of age, shall not operate a personal

watercraft unless the person:

a. Has met the requirements listed in subsection B of

this section; and

b. Is under the visual supervision by a competent adult,

eighteen (18) years of age or older within a distance of five

hundred (500) yards.

The operator of a personal watercraft shall stay at least fifty (50)

feet away from all moving vessels, shall idle at or in the vicinity

of docks and swimmers, and shall wear an approved personal flotation

device.

E. The Department of Public Safety shall promulgate rules

necessary for:

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 63. Public Health and Safety

1. The certification of programs and tests for boating safety

education offered by other public or private organizations;

2. The administration of a boating safety education program;

and

3. The issuance of boating safety education certificates.

F. A Boating Safety Education Certificate issued by the

Department of Public Safety to a person who has successfully

completed a boating safety education course or course equivalency

examination shall not expire.

G. A person who is operating a vessel on the waters of this

state shall have in his or her immediate possession:

1. The original Boating Safety Education Certificate as proof

the operator meets the requirements of this section; or

2. A photo identification that clearly shows the operator is

sixteen (16) years of age or older.

Failure to present such proof upon request by a peace officer shall

be prima facie evidence of a violation of this section.

Added by Laws 2006, c. 228, § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 2007.