Reducing risk starts with knowledge and preparation, and we at PWCSI care deeply about promoting safety on the water. Knowing the "rules of the road" can save your life, so we encourage everyone to check out this curated list of available resources and pick one that is valid for the state you are most likely to operate your personal watercraft in.
The national level courses are great all-rounders, and we encourage our readers to research the age requirements for their state of residency to ensure they are adequately prepared before hitting the water.
Here’s a curated list of national and state boating safety courses in both English and Spanish. These resources include online courses and in-person options for different skill levels. Many thanks to PWCSI team member Kyle, for the resources and idea!
National Boating Safety Courses
The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA)
Description: National level boating course and resource links to state offerings.
Available in: English
Website: NASBLA
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary – Boat America
Description: A beginner’s boating safety course that offers basic knowledge of boating safety, equipment, regulations, and navigation.
Available in: English
Website: Boat America
BoatUS Foundation Online Courses
Description: Free online boating safety courses approved by NASBLA (National Association of State Boating Law Administrators). Covers state-specific requirements and general boating safety topics.
Available in: English and Spanish
Website: BoatUS Foundation
America's Boating Club (U.S. Power Squadrons) – America’s Boating Course (ABC)
Description: A comprehensive boating course covering navigation rules, safety equipment, emergency procedures, and local laws.
Available in: English
Website: America’s Boating Course
State-Specific Boating Courses
California State Parks – Boater Card
Description: A boating education course designed to meet California’s requirement for boaters to have a boater card. Covers legal requirements, safety, and navigation.
Available in: English and Spanish
Website: California Boater Card
New York State Boating Safety Course
Description: New York’s mandatory course for boaters, covering basic safety, legal requirements, and proper operation of watercraft.
Available in: English and Spanish
Website: New York Boating Safety
Texas Parks and Wildlife – Boater Education
Description: A Texas-specific boater education course that is required for some boaters based on age. Covers safety, equipment, and navigation laws.
Available in: English and Spanish
Website: Texas Boater Education
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission – Boating Safety Course
Description: An online or in-person course that covers Florida boating laws, safety regulations, and navigation skills.
Available in: English and Spanish
Website: Florida Boating Safety
Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources – Boating Safety Course
Description: Offers online and classroom options for Virginia-specific boating safety education, with NASBLA approval.
Available in: English
Website: Virginia Boating Safety
Multilingual Boating Resources
BoatSafe – Multilingual Boating Safety Resources
Description: Offers resources and educational materials in multiple languages, including Spanish, for boating safety.
Available in: English, Spanish, and other languages
Website: BoatSafe Resources
We hope you find these resources helpful, and we will continue to promote both state and national boating safety education in English and Spanish, ensuring that a wider audience can access the necessary information for safe boating.
Ride safe!
~Tamarin & the PWCSI Team.
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