New Operators permit

Sec. 25. new text begin[86B.303] OPERATING PERSONAL WATERCRAFT AND OTHER
MOTORBOATS.

Subdivision 1.Adult operators,adult operator may not operate a motorboat,
including a personal watercraft, unless:
(1) the adult operator possesses a valid watercraft operator’s permit;

(2) the adult operator is an exempt operator; or
(3) an accompanying operator is in the motorboat.
Subd. 2. Young operators begin(a) A young operator may not operate a personal watercraft
or any motorboat powered by a motor with a factory rating of more than 75 horsepower.
(b) A young operator may operate a motorboat that is not a personal watercraft and that
is powered by a motor with a factory rating of less than 75 horsepower if an accompanying
operator is in the motorboat.
Subd. 3.Accompanying operators.For purposes of this section and section 169A.20,
an accompanying operator, as well as the actual operator, is operating and is in physical
control of a motorboat.
Subd4 Owners may not allow unlawful use.An owner or other person in lawful
control of a motorboat may not allow the motorboat to be operated contrary to this section.
Subd. 5 Exception for low-powered Notwithstanding the other provisions
of this section, a person of any age may operate a motorboat that is not a personal watercraft
that is powered by a motor with a factory rating of 25 horsepower or less without possessing
a valid watercraft operator’s permit and without an accompanying operator in the motorboat.

(1) the adult operator possesses a valid watercraft operator’s permit;

What is a “watercraft operator’s permit”?

So we are all going to have to get these?

What qualifies as an “exemption”?

Just an educated guess, ok maybe not educated but I would assume anyone at a certain age would need that permit?????

All I could find on the DNR website was that the “Watercraft Operators Permit” was for people below 18 years old.

SR

I got their permit right here

Get Ready to go back to school if you were born after 1987

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To any nay sayers, I think it’s a great idea and should be mandatory for everyone, regardless of age.

I’m a 25-Ton USCG Licensed Captain and still pick up something everytime I flip through the MN Boater’s Handbook.

If you read the handbook once a year and say you didn’t learn anything everytime you’re a liar or didn’t read it.

There’s way too many people on the water that don’t have a clue what they’re doing, and many more that know just enough to be dangerous.

The boater permit wouldn’t have to be anything super complicated, just an online 2-4 hour class that forces people to read and learn the boating regulations with a quiz at the end.

In general I’m not a big fan of regulations, but I’m all for people driving vehicles and boats to know what the hell they are doing.

I triple dog dare all of you to spend a little time going through it, whether it’s mandatory or not.

I see nothing wrong with requiring one. However I find everything wrong with a on-line class. The only thing a on-line test will prove is that you can navigate looking up the answers while taking the test. As a society we are getting to lazy. If we can’t manage to get our kids to a class maybe they shouldn’t acquire a permit.

Anybody dealing with truck drivers knows this, yesterday I watched a straight truck driver back into a solid 3′ high concrete retaining wall. When trying to get away from the wall he continually turned the wheel the wrong way causing the rear of the truck to stay in contact with the wall. I finally had to go tell him how to get the rear of the truck away from the wall. After unloading it was discovered he couldn’t write, but only print his initials for a signature.

In our state as huge as it is for boating and water recreation these stats are something that screams more regulation for you fellas?

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I did it years ago when I was like 12 or 13 to operate a PWC legally. From what I remember there was no on the water test, and you basically read through materials in a one day shot at the local school with a paper test? It’s been a long time though. It’d do most people good to refresh on things. There’s a copy of boating regulations laying on my coffee table right now. I had some questions about when we could slalom ski legally so looked it up.

It’s still a feel good measure though. Are the same people going to enforce this who enforce the OWI laws? Alcohol is a huge factor that no test is going to prevent. There’s also the argument that everyone at one time passed a drivers test…and maybe 1/3 of the population is a knowledgeable, defensive driver. The bill hasn’t even been addressed in the Senate either. I’d be shocked to see it make it all the way through.

The best part is no mention of a fee/tax though. I could see a quick, easy one time mandated payment of $59 per person to get the operators permit that’s mandated by law but never enforced. That’d be very Minnesota like.

I got my watercraft operators permit few years ago. I think if you go to Canada and use the resort boats you are required to have it and a MN permit would work .
I took course online passed test and got the permit. I am 55 years old it was not very hard course.

I agree that it wouldn’t hurt to require everyone to take a general boating and boating safety class. It’s required to drive a car, which is arguably equally or even less risky than driving a boat. I’d sure feel safer out on the croix where idiots in big boats like to scare the sh*t out of me regularly

What a bunch of BS!
Another stupid law and all the state is looking for is application fees.
Look how many people have drivers license and don’t know how to follow the rules. Do ya think have people take an online course will change anything?
Look what Dueces posted. There is zero need for this.
I’m really starting to dislike my home state.

Dutchboy wrote:

The only thing a on-line test will prove is that you can navigate looking up the answers while taking the test.

No need to “look up” anything. They give you the answers and a person can take the test more then once.

Alot of the change in age is to put the state in line with neighbor states that require operators permits for a broader range of age. Most young people that are getting snowmobile, or shooters safety just get watercraft operators at the same time.

Can we add backing up a trailer and boat landing etiquette to that permit???? Seriously!!!

i tend to agree with Dutchy. on line classes suck. been through a few. its just no hands on classroom learning. no questions or interaction with other participants. or the instructor. i seen and heard plenty of responses when i was active in the union. OHA classes on line and i’d venture to bet 99% of the members hated it.

i also tend to agree with EPG……..on his points. although i guess it wouldnt hurt to learn and listen any maybe learn something????

anyone take the over 55 driving class??????? same thing….8 hours of my life i wont get back………..but i do save 10% on my vehicle ins!!!!!! about the only interesting thing in that was seeing why they are redoing alot of turn lanes in or on certain roads!!!!!

im all for people learning how to operate a vehicle whether it be boat or something else via mandatory classes. im not sure it will help very much though.

As someone who has been struck by another boat going over 20 MPH i can tell you no textbook would have prevented that jackwad from doing what he did

Deuces?! Great read – thank you.
Yes, PLEASE more regs for us to follow and pay for.
I ran Drivers Ed for over 25 years in 4 different school districts.
Newly arrived non-english speakers could have someone in the car during their road test telling them what the signs said and what to do ( in their native language)……..
Shocking?!

Dutchboy wrote:

I see nothing wrong with requiring one. However I find everything wrong with a on-line class. The only thing a on-line test will prove is that you can navigate looking up the answers while taking the test. As a society we are getting to lazy. If we can’t manage to get our kids to a class maybe they shouldn’t acquire a permit.

I pretty much agree with B-Man but also think Dutch has some very good merit in the above comment regarding the on-line classes.

I really don’t think it’s a problem and do think with as many people that own boats here, it should be required.

That being said…..Glad I was born in 86!

When I bought my 18′ 150 hp Skeeter if came with a CD on safe boat operation.

When I bought my 40′ 700 hp 19,000 pound Carver, it talked about taking a safe boating class in the owners manual.

I spend ZERO time on lakes and 100% of my time on the river. I can’t tell if the stuff I see will be fixed with an on line class or not. But it does force people to be exposed to the (safety) laws we have at least once. Even if they have to google the answers.

I’m ashamed to say as a fishermen how many fishing boats don’t know what “no wake” speed is.

“I’m ashamed to say as a fishermen how many fishing boats don’t know what “no wake” speed is.”

The same mentality that has people driving 80 in a 60.

VPN

Brian Klawitter wrote:

I’m ashamed to say as a fishermen how many fishing boats don’t know what “no wake” speed is.

Unfortunately I think that’s more of a “don’t care” issue than a knowledge issue.

Will this class and this permit teach and guarantee they come out it with common sense.

One advantage might be that with the popularity of “Boat Clubs” that put inexperienced operators out there, is that it might give them the basics?

I don’t think it would be a bad thing but there is no enforcement of current boating laws. So it is not needed till the State enforces the current BS that currently happens on the water.

MX1825 wrote:

I don’t think it would be a bad thing but there is no enforcement of current boating laws. So it is not needed till the State enforces the current BS that currently happens on the water.

This. Without enforcement, this is just another B.S. law that only affects the people that aren’t a problem in the first place.

SR