Okla. Stat. tit. 63, § 63-4232
This is the official text of Okla. Stat. tit. 63, § 63-4232, part of Oklahoma’s Stat. tit. 63, — part of the compiled statutory law of Oklahoma, published by the state as "Stat. tit. 63,." Browse the sections below, each linked to its official government source.
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Definitions - Requirements for persons younger than
Official statutory text
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 Page 1692
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 sail-
powered 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 Page 1693
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.
Boating Safety Education Certificate.
A. As used in this section:
Oklahoma Statutes - Title 63. Public Health and Safety Page 1692
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 sail-
powered 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 Page 1693
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.
Status: in_force · Read it on the official government site
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