Federal laws state that anyone under the age of 13 must wear a PFD approved by the U.S. Coast Guard while the vessel is moving (drift is considered a move), so the only non-sailing vessel is one that is attached (i.e. moored) or anchored. The State of West Virginia enacts and enforces all state-mandated vessel safety laws. Most of these waters are also available for public boat trips. Boating is a fun and relaxing outdoor activity that can be enjoyed with family and friends in a variety of ways. From kayaking and canoeing to motorized water sports, a day of boating ensures lasting enjoyment for participants. West Virginia has a minimum age to operate a motorized vessel. They`re not as simple as some states (we like Alaska`s laws), but we`ve simplified them here; Anyone who uses a boat must abide by the laws on boats. In West Virginia, anyone born on or after December 31, 1986 must successfully complete a nautical training course approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) before operating a motorboat. Contact the WVDNR Enforcement Section or consult the list of available boaters.
Participants can also take the online boat training course. West Virginia`s Boating Under the Influence (BOI) laws have restrictive penalties, and they are described here: The validation sticker must be displayed within six inches of the port side number before or after the numbers. Successful completion of a boating safety course was completed on 1. January 2001 compulsory for all persons born on or after 1 January 1987. The online basic boating course meets this requirement. Water skiing is not allowed between half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise. Operating a boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs carries the same risks and penalties as drinking and driving. Intoxication affects your balance, which is already put to the test by staying in a boat. It also affects your coordination, vision, and thinking ability. Alcohol also causes you to lose body heat faster when you fall into water, which increases your risk of hypothermia.
A blood alcohol level of 0.08 or higher is considered legally intoxicated. Learn more about boating safety in www.register-ed.com or take an online course. Of all paddlers in North America, 59% paddle lakes, 45% rivers, 19% oceans, ponds 16% and streams. Title — Title deed is not required for a non-motorized canoe. If your canoe is motorized, it must bear its title. Any accident resulting in death, disappearance or bodily injury, or damage in excess of $500 must be reported. A «boat accident» includes, but is not limited to, capsizing, colliding, sinking, flooding, fire, exploding and missing a vessel other than by theft. Accidents must be reported immediately.
Report accidents to the nearest West Virginia Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission office or West Virginia Marine Patrol. West Virginia offers a number of waterways around the state. A waterway is a route on a stream, river or lake that provides boaters with a recreational, picturesque, historical or educational opportunity. Anyone under the age of 15 may not drive a motor vehicle in West Virginia (by law) unless they are between 12 and 15 years old and the boat has a motor of less than 10 horsepower. If a person over 18 years of age is on board, a young person between 12 and 15 years of age is allowed to drive a motorboat of any kind. Any boater in the state of West Virginia is not allowed to harass wildlife. If you are on the water aboard a ship, West Virginia law requires that you have a PFD (life jacket) in good condition, of appropriate size, and easily accessible to everyone on board. All children under the age of 13, including infants, must wear a PFD while driving. Vessels 16 feet or larger must have a disposable PFD ring or Type IV cushion on board that can be thrown to a person in the water in addition to the PFDs noted above. Anyone involved in water skiing or aquaplaning must wear a PFD approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. Boaters must stay at least 100 feet away from a diving flag.
Is a crime punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and/or imprisonment for up to one year? Causing death while impaired by boat is a crime punishable by a fine of $1,000 to $3,000 and one year in prison. Do I have to be a certain age in West Virginia to operate a canoe with an electric trolling motor? To get your valid boat certification, visit the official West Virginia Boating Safety Course website. From sunset to sunrise (ET during periods of limited visibility), all motorized craft and sailboats must display a combined red (port side) and green (starboard side) lantern at the front of the boat and a 360-degree white light visible aft en route OR not en route. Here`s the template I`d get for all after-dark outings (also pictured below): All registrations must be renewed every year starting July 1st. Apply for your title and registration with the State Department of Motor Vehicles. Personal watercraft operators and passengers must be equipped with an approved PFD Type I, II, III or V. When navigating West Virginia`s major rivers, always pay attention to large merchant ships. Large vessels always have the right of passage because of the long stopping distances and blind spots that surround them. Even the turbulent water around the large ship could easily capsize a small boat. Stay away from hazardous areas and restricted areas around locks and dams.
Every person on board a watercraft (personal watercraft) must be equipped with a PFD approved by the Coast Guard. In addition, the operator must wear a lanyard switch provided by the manufacturer that stops the personal watercraft in the event of a fall. Persons between the ages of 12 and 14 may only operate a motorized boat after completing a boating safety course. A person 18 years of age or older must also be on board if the vessel`s engine has 10 hp or more. Note that if your motorized canoe or kayak is registered in another state, you do not need to register or title your boat if it is only used temporarily for 60 days or less in West Virginia. 77% of all paddlers only do day trips, while 9% stay overnight. In total, 11% of all canoeists and kayakers undertake multi-day trips from 3 days to several months. Most of these trips last 3 to 6 days. IMPORTANT: It should be noted that the PFD must be in good condition (not full of cracks/cracks with broken straps, etc.). AND must be easily accessible, AND must be the right size for the intended user. You will also need to affix registration numbers to your motorized canoe. The permit fee for canoes/kayaks with a motor of any power is $30, and if the canoe or kayak is 16 feet or longer and has a motor, the fee is $45.
There are 21 lakes of more than 100 hectares, covering 20,118 hectares of passable and navigable waters. There are 41 small ponds with an area of 1,068 hectares and 30 ponds with an area of 204 hectares. The West Virginia Recreational Trail Authority and the West Virginia Department of Transportation are responsible for designating waterways in West Virginia. There are currently 11 approved waterways: no one is allowed to pull a person on water skis, water gliders or similar equipment without an observer on board or a wide-angle rear-view mirror. Requirements/Age of Motorized Canoeists – To operate a motorized boat in West Virginia, you will need a safety certificate issued by West Virginia or another state. This provision applies to any person born on or after 31 December 1986. Boat accidents usually result from a collision with another boat or an object in the water such as rocks or poles. A little knowledge of the boat, common sense and courtesy could prevent most accidents. Adequate lighting is required when your canoe or kayak is on the water.
The law for manual boats (canoes/kayaks) states that a bright white light is visible from all sides to be displayed in time to avoid collision. This section contains information about West Virginia`s recreational boating regulations, which are in addition to the federal requirements covered in the Basic Boating Course. If you have not reviewed the course material, please do so now. All federal basic boat course requirements apply to West Virginia; This section lists the requirements for West Virginia vessels beyond federal requirements. The operator of a personal watercraft should work reasonably and prudently. This includes knowledge of other boats in the area of exploitation, awareness of environmental concerns and respect for the rights of coastal property owners. The personal watercraft operator must not follow other boats closely and must not jump other boats. Of course, if you`re in a canoe (especially in large bodies of water) with a child of all ages, it`s pretty much a no-brainer to ALWAYS let them wear a PFD. There are more than 2,000 miles of navigable and exploitable waterways in West Virginia (most are open and accessible to the public) covering more than 19,000 acres of water.