Mid Atlantic and Chesapeake Bay - VA Boating Safety Course

I knew this was coming but I totally forgot about it. If you're under 30 years old then you have to pass the class by today, July 1st, in order to legally operate a boat. Another way for our gov't to impose fees on us.

I signed up on a website to take this and it requires you to have 6 hrs of study time. There are 8 chapters and each chapter has 10-20 sections. There's a timer on each section that you have to spend a certain amount of time on. They range from 30 seconds to 3 minutes so far. So I just click on next and look around THT while the timer counts down. Then you have to take a quiz at the end of each chapter.

Done with chapter 1. Got 7 more to go. Man, this is boring.

Anyone know an easier way?

One of the questions on chapter 1 showed a cartoon picture of a boat and asked what kind of motor it had.

outboard
inboard
I/O
jet

This is $%#$*&@ stupid

Completed it last week. It took about 5-6 hours all total but on one section I got a 80 instead of 90% so I had to go through the entire chapter again.....

I took it in a classroom 2 years ago with my oldest......it was a saturday (in FEB) and free. Personally I don't think it's enough, we already have too many idiots on the water!!!

I took it in a classroom 2 years ago with my oldest......it was a saturday (in FEB) and free. Personally I don't think it's enough, we already have too many idiots on the water!!!

I agree. I took the US Power Squadron course last year and it was excellent. Last month, a family member needed the course to rent a jet ski and took the free online course through BoatUS. It was good, but not enough.

Same here. Taking it slowly since I'm over 30 hehe. Great information and I want to reread the materials to remember the details.

not gonna lie, I kept falling asleep waiting for the slide to change. All that did was take me longer to complete the sections.

But I agree, there needs to be more about safety and properly operating a boat in certain conditions.

Should be like NC and just do the Power Squadron course. More detailed, less time and way more useful all around.

But alas Im 31 so it doesnt matter to me but my gf is another story. If you take the Power Squadron course are you exempt?

Answered my own question. If you have taken the Power Squadron course you are exempt from the VA requirement.

Link - http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/boating/education/requirement/

I took it. I wanted to get my 6-pack license done before it took effect but I have not had the time to get all that done. Got my TWIC card and sea service forms, but I have to go to charleston to take the exam.

I wish there was a way to just test out of having to do the online thing. It took me 3.5 hours beacuse they make you look at each slide for 25 seconds. :bashhh:

All the training in the world won't get rid of all the morons, but I agree that the simple test can help to weed out some.

You wouldnt believe how many people fail the simple course the state has. I almost feel bad for telling them they have to take the course again because they didnt pass. I had a 12yo kid pass my last class and his mom didnt....

I am and will NOT take the safety course to get a boat lic. Im 28 years old and I own my OWN boat. I'm sure my fuel bill every trip is more then the cost of the ticket. Justsay'n. I've had my own boat(14'stump knocker w/ 4hp) since I was 8 years old and comm fished on the water 75% of my life. I didnt need a lic then and I dont need one now. I will take that ticket if need be.

I am and will NOT take the safety course to get a boat lic. Im 28 years old and I own my OWN boat. I'm sure my fuel bill every trip is more then the cost of the ticket. Justsay'n. I've had my own boat(14'stump knocker w/ 4hp) since I was 8 years old and comm fished on the water 75% of my life. I didnt need a lic then and I dont need one now. I will take that ticket if need be.

I'm sure you'll be fine, you certainly sound like a mature 28 year old. :roll

I'm sure you'll be fine, you certainly sound like a mature 28 year old. :roll

Would love to hear your logic on the issue

Would love to hear your logic on the issue

You mention you have lots of money and lots of time on the water.....neither suggest you have any real knowledge. The "I already know everything" attitude is what's wrong with most boaters.

See post #4 for my "logic" on the issue. I, like you, grew up on the water and if your that experienced I'm sure you've seen your share of "WTF were those guys thinking" while out on the water. I can only hope these classes help raise the level of education these rookies get that were not raised on the water...........because any yahoo with a checkbook balance can buy a boat.


BTW: I've taken the class 3 times in the last 18 years. 1st for the wife that never boated before me, then for Insurance, then for my oldest child who is "of age"........and I will be taking it again with my other kids this coming winter.

You mention you have lots of money and lots of time on the water.....neither suggest you have any real knowledge. The "I already know everything" attitude is what's wrong with most boaters.

See post #4 for my "logic" on the issue. I, like you, grew up on the water and if your that experienced I'm sure you've seen your share of "WTF were those guys thinking" while out on the water. I can only hope these classes help raise the level of education these rookies get that were not raised on the water...........because any yahoo with a checkbook balance can buy a boat.


BTW: I've taken the class 3 times in the last 18 years. 1st for the wife that never boated before me, then for Insurance, then for my oldest child who is "of age"........and I will be taking it again with my other kids this coming winter.

Who or where did you read that I have "lots of money"....?... I'm a little confused on that one. I'm doing fine for my age but yeah.....I wouldn't consider myself to have "lots of money". My sisters other has lots of $....like private airplanes and 2 multi million $ homes ect. That's lots of $. But anyway...This is a sensitive subject for me so if I sound like a prick I apologize in advance. And as for "real knowledge" please define that for me. As being/working on the water my whole life...well... you don't live long if you don't know the ways of the water as the ocean is not very forgiving. I need not post the weekly articles of people dying by being clowns on the water. And for that class teaching me something I might not know..I bet there is one or two things that I might not know that they might hit on. But I do not need a break on my insurance or feel like that class will teach me something that might change the way I boat now.I am NOT a danger to others and I can say that with confidence.Also you(or anyone else for the matter) can NOT sit here and tell me that I need the class as you have no idea actually what I do or do not know. But just to fill you in a little I take the ocean VERY serious as I have seen first hand of the dangers it can throw at you un-expectantly(yes I have lost friends in it). If they are going to make people have a boating lic why is 30 the magic number..?.. Everyone should have one if they are going to make the rule(which I'm fine with). You know how many dumb ass 40 year olds I have seen behind the wheel of a bayliner or any other boat for the matter..?.. I have spent thousands of dollars on safety equipment on my boat to make sure that everyone stays safe. Hell I have 3g radar,top notch 2 chart plotters, epirb, 2 plb's, 3(thats right 3 one of which is a top notch SH hand held that has ALL of the bells and whistles that stays in my ditch bag)vhf's, live feed sat weather that comes up on my plotter,and type 1 life vest, a paper chart(yes I know how to read and navigate it) in case my electronics go out, a hand held gps... and ALL of that goes with me every time that my boat leaves the dock.I will almost bet you $100 you don't even have all of that on your vessel(98% of people don't). And need I say none of those are mandated to be on a vessel by USCG regulations. It's all extra safety equipment that I chose to buy on my own for the safety of my crew AND OTHERS. So that being said....I will be damned if I need someone teaching me how to "be safe" and and to say I'm not permitted to operate my boat until I take this silly class. So it's a insult for them to tell me "you gotta have one of these lic to be safe ". They think just because you are under 30 years of age that you don't take things serious or your knowledge may be lacking. But you can bet your ass that if you haven't taken the course by your 30th bday that king neptune will NOT pay you a visit and teach you the ways of the ocean. My wife is 30 years old and no offense to her... I wouldn't trust her to navigate me inside the inlet at high noon on a sunny day.......but for the law to say "oh that's ok" is bullshit! Like I say...if everyone has to take it..ok I will.... but for you to say its because of my age....they can kiss my ass

jebsurf:
I'm not saying you do need the class or that you are/are not knowledgeable on the water....I have no idea. I also do not have all the safety gear you listed, but I don't fish or leave the inland rivers anymore because we hang with our kids doing watersports.

1st: "Im 28 years old and I own my OWN boat. I'm sure my fuel bill every trip is more then the cost of the ticket.".......this suggest you have money to burn or at least I took it that way.

2nd: You and I agree there are plenty of in-experienced boaters out there that do need the course and if they pass a licensing requirement they have to do it for everyone.

3rd: The law is being phased in and anyone under 30 must have the class by this year, next year it's 40....and so on: It was done this way to spread out the timeline for everyone getting the class completed.

4th: The law was passed in 2007 and your apparently just finding out about it.

http://www.boatus.org/onlinecourse/statelaws/Virginia.html

When Must I Get My Boating Safety Certificate? The requirement for boating safety education is phased-in over several years according to the following schedule:
PWC operators 20 years of age or younger shall meet the requirements by July 1, 2009;
PWC operators 35 years of age or younger shall meet the requirements by July 1, 2010;
PWC operators 50 years of age or younger and motorboat operators 20 years of age or younger shall meet the requirements by July 1, 2011;
All PWC operators, regardless of age, and motorboat operators 30 years of age or younger shall meet the requirements by July 1, 2012;
Motorboat operators 40 years of age or younger shall meet the requirements by July 1, 2013;
Motorboat operators 45 years of age or younger shall meet the requirements by July 1, 2014;
Motorboat operators 50 years of age or younger shall meet the requirements by July 1, 2015;
All motorboat operators, regardless of age, shall meet the requirements by July 1, 2016.


2 years ago my 65 yr old father, me (41), and my now 16 yr old all took the class together. Over 1/2 the class was older than me.

jebsurf:
I'm not saying you do need the class or that you are/are not knowledgeable on the water....I have no idea. I also do not have all the safety gear you listed, but I don't fish or leave the inland rivers anymore because we hang with our kids doing watersports.

1st: "Im 28 years old and I own my OWN boat. I'm sure my fuel bill every trip is more then the cost of the ticket.".......this suggest you have money to burn or at least I took it that way.

2nd: You and I agree there are plenty of in-experienced boaters out there that do need the course and if they pass a licensing requirement they have to do it for everyone.

3rd: The law is being phased in and anyone under 30 must have the class by this year, next year it's 40....and so on: It was done this way to spread out the timeline for everyone getting the class completed.

4th: The law was passed in 2007 and your apparently just finding out about it.

http://www.boatus.org/onlinecourse/statelaws/Virginia.html

When Must I Get My Boating Safety Certificate? The requirement for boating safety education is phased-in over several years according to the following schedule:
PWC operators 20 years of age or younger shall meet the requirements by July 1, 2009;
PWC operators 35 years of age or younger shall meet the requirements by July 1, 2010;
PWC operators 50 years of age or younger and motorboat operators 20 years of age or younger shall meet the requirements by July 1, 2011;
All PWC operators, regardless of age, and motorboat operators 30 years of age or younger shall meet the requirements by July 1, 2012;
Motorboat operators 40 years of age or younger shall meet the requirements by July 1, 2013;
Motorboat operators 45 years of age or younger shall meet the requirements by July 1, 2014;
Motorboat operators 50 years of age or younger shall meet the requirements by July 1, 2015;
All motorboat operators, regardless of age, shall meet the requirements by July 1, 2016.


2 years ago my 65 yr old father, me (41), and my now 16 yr old all took the class together. Over 1/2 the class was older than me.


That's awesome. I wish EVERYONE had to take it..and now (I didn't know this before)I see that's what they are trying to do. :thumbsup: I don't want you thinking I'm anti boater safety...as you seen in my post I'm not. I dont like being treated like I'm some dumb kid that's out there causing hazards to himself and others which is not the case! Like I say...its a sensitive subject for me and sorry if I came across strong :thumbsup: . Now only if they can put in the damn class how to identify a dive flag and what it means and how to respect it. :bashhh: But one question......?.. a serious one..... why is it then that every time I have been pulled over I have never been asked to see if I have taken the course..?... Is it going to be one of those things that its only going to be enforced if there is an accident due to negligence?

That's awesome. I wish EVERYONE had to take it..and now (I didn't know this before)I see that's what they are trying to do. :thumbsup: I don't want you thinking I'm anti boater safety...as you seen in my post I'm not. I dont like being treated like I'm some dumb kid that's out there causing hazards to himself and others which is not the case! Like I say...its a sensitive subject for me and sorry if I came across strong :thumbsup: . Now only if they can put in the damn class how to identify a dive flag and what it means and how to respect it. :bashhh: But one question......?.. a serious one..... why is it then that every time I have been pulled over I have never been asked to see if I have taken the course..?... Is it going to be one of those things that its only going to be enforced if there is an accident due to negligence?

From your post I was starting to realize you didn't know it was required of everyone......and you are a little defensive due to your age I assume???
Anyway, it's all good now.

I have not been pulled over since this law went into effect so I can only speculate on your experience. It's likely they thought you were over the age or, the reality is you've only been "breaking the law" for 6 days now and were good til then......hell, I still have 2 more years before I need it.

Just for the record jebsurf, The dive flag is tought in the class.....But im pretty sure it goes in one ear and out the other for most people. You can tell by how the people in the class show it.....again not all but most seem that way...

Would love to hear your logic on the issue

If you were a registered commercial fisherman before the rule took effect, you don't need to take the course. IIRC

Understand the age thing.. I am in the same "boat" sometimes, but I don't get too defensive about it. I am 25 and an instrument rated pilot.. I have gotten plenty of "you look too young to be flying airplanes" usually from women who are probably mothers. I usually just smile and shrug it off - but I have been pressed before to the point of asking to see my certificate!

BTW: I've taken the class 3 times in the last 18 years. 1st for the wife that never boated before me, then for Insurance, then for my oldest child who is "of age"........and I will be taking it again with my other kids this coming winter.

glutton for punishment?
quit sandbagging and take an advanced course

I took a navy ROTC navigation class when at NCSU - it was a 4 hr credit with a lab taught by an officer who had served as navigator on several boats. Great stuff, learned a lot.

I live in Virginia Beach, VA and fish out of Rudee Inlet. So I get to dodge all the rented PWC users coming back into the inlet at the end of the day. So it came to mind, how does this law apply to out of state users that are renting PWCs ? I check the link to the regs and found;

What if I am Only Visiting Virginia? You must demonstrate that you are not a resident of Virginia, that you are temporarily using the water of Virginia for a period of 90 days or less (your boat is registered in another state as the “state of principal use”), and that you meet any applicable boating safety education requirements of your state of residency.

So I guess the law does not address out of state incompetence in the case where the PWC user's home state has no boating safety education requirements.

I live in Virginia Beach, VA and fish out of Rudee Inlet. So I get to dodge all the rented PWC users coming back into the inlet at the end of the day. So it came to mind, how does this law apply to out of state users that are renting PWCs ? I check the link to the regs and found;

Me and my buddies eat at Big Sams all the time and watch the tourons get on the pwcs... smash into the dock... each other. We try to stay out of rudee during the peak operation hours.

I took it. I wanted to get my 6-pack license done before it took effect but I have not had the time to get all that done. Got my TWIC card and sea service forms, but I have to go to charleston to take the exam.

I wish there was a way to just test out of having to do the online thing. It took me 3.5 hours beacuse they make you look at each slide for 25 seconds. :bashhh:

All the training in the world won't get rid of all the morons, but I agree that the simple test can help to weed out some.


You cant take the test at REC Baltimore??? Its ALOT closer to you.

I live in Virginia Beach, VA and fish out of Rudee Inlet. So I get to dodge all the rented PWC users coming back into the inlet at the end of the day. So it came to mind, how does this law apply to out of state users that are renting PWCs ? I check the link to the regs and found;

What if I am Only Visiting Virginia? You must demonstrate that you are not a resident of Virginia, that you are temporarily using the water of Virginia for a period of 90 days or less (your boat is registered in another state as the “state of principal use”), and that you meet any applicable boating safety education requirements of your state of residency.

So I guess the law does not address out of state incompetence in the case where the PWC user's home state has no boating safety education requirements.



Because its all about the $$$$$$. I have a 200 Ton Master's License and operate a 2000hp tugboat on a daily basis, I sure hope that exempts me from this safety class.

:banghead:

You cant take the test at REC Baltimore??? Its ALOT closer to you.

I live in Raleigh, NC but make the drive to the bay on weekends to fish.

You are exempt if you hold a captain's license

Because its all about the $$$$$$. I have a 200 Ton Master's License and operate a 2000hp tugboat on a daily basis, I sure hope that exempts me from this safety class.

:banghead:

Man speaks the truth. But I've seen him hit the dock with it twice :grin:

Because its all about the $$$$$$. I have a 200 Ton Master's License and operate a 2000hp tugboat on a daily basis, I sure hope that exempts me from this safety class.

:banghead:

You are exempt. Just send them a copy of your license and they will send you a Virginia Boating Safety card, even if the license is expired.

Man speaks the truth. But I've seen him hit the dock with it twice :grin:


You dont see no-ting!!





(some paint will cover that right up)