2. This is not an official guide. Operator’s permit education materials can be obtained
from the DNR, and sheriff’s offices. These rules and regulations were found in the 2012
Minnesota Boating Guide provided by the DNR. All participants must understand that
water-sports of any nature can be a dangerous activity. Indulge at your own risk.

3. • Many accidents
encountered while
boating, can simply be
avoided by using….

4. • Many accidents
encountered while
boating, can simply be
avoided by using

5. • Spending time on the
lake can be some of the
most fun with friends

6. • Spending time on the
lake can be some of the
most fun with friends
• This slide share will
provide useful, up to
date boating safety tips
concerning recreational
and watersport boaters

7. • LIFE JACKETS!
– PFD type I, II, III, IV, V

8. • PFD (life jacket)
LAW:
On all boats, regardless of length
there MUST be a readily
accessible U.S. Coast Guard
approved Type I, II, III or V
wearable PFD for each
person on board.

9. • PFD (life jacket)
LAW:
On boats 16 feet or longer
there must also be at least one U.S.
Coast Guard approved Type IV
throw able device, such as a
buoyant cushion or ring buoy
immediately available for each boat.

15. • “… law does not state
that PFDs must be worn
on watercraft, only that
they are readily
accessible”
*except on jet skis (PWC) & children
under 10

16. • Other Exceptions:
– A U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD
MUST be worn by a person
being towed on water skis or
other device, or carried in the
towing watercraft.

18. • Wear a Life Jacket
• Use a Spotter

19. • “It is unlawful to tow a person on
water skis, wakeboard, tube, or
similar device unless there is a
mirror providing the operator a
wide field of vision to the rear, or
unless another person in
the towing watercraft is
continuously observing
the person being towed”

21. • Wear a Life Jacket
• Use a Spotter
• Time of Day

22. • LAW: Water skiing,
tubing and similar acts
are prohibited between
one hour after sunset to
sunrise of the following
day.

23. • Easy Riding: The easiest
time to board or ski is
right away in the
morning, or at night,
when the water is
calmest.

24. • Wear a Life Jacket
• Use a Spotter
• Time of Day
• Rope Length

25. • LAW: Tow ropes may
not be longer than 150
feet in length, unless a
permit is obtained from
the county sheriff.

26. • Easy Riding: Using a
shorter rope can make
it easier for beginners
to get up and out of the
water. Recommended
between 35-60 feet,
based on preference.

27. • Wear a Life Jacket
• Use a Spotter
• Time of Day
• Rope Length

29. • Similar to a clock’s
pendulum, riders do not
have the directional
control that water skiers
have. The boat
operator needs to take
special precautions.

30. Increasing injuries occur
many ways including…
Tubes swinging out as a
boat turns - hitting an
object or throwing the
occupant off.

31. • Make sure the Driver is
alert and aware of his
towing speed

32. • Make sure the Driver is
alert and aware of his
towing speed
• CAUTION: Jet-skis can
ramp up to 70mph in
seconds!

33. • Make sure the Driver is
alert and aware of his
towing speed
• CAUTION: Jet-skis can
ramp up to 70mph in
seconds!
• Safe towing speed
depends on the riders
preference. Between
(10-25mph)

34. • LAW: The alcohol
concentration for
impaired operation is
.08

35. • The BWI law does not
prohibit drinking
alcoholic beverages
aboard boats nor having
an open bottle.

36. • The law applies to
operators of
motorboats that are not
anchored, beached,
moored, docked or
being rowed or
propelled by non-
mechanical means at
the time of the offense.

37. It is against the law to…
• To operate a watercraft so
its wash or wake
endangers, harasses,
or interferes with any
person or
property.

38. It is against the law to… • To operate a watercraft
within an area legally
marked off as a swimming
area, or within 150
feet of a diver’s warning
flag

39. It is against the law to…
• To ride or sit on the
gunwales, bow,
transom, of any
motorboat while
underway, unless it is
equipped with an
adequate railing.

40. It is against the law to… • To chase wildlife
with a motorboat, or
operate a boat where it is
prohibited – including
marked spawning beds.
Avoid traversing any
emergent or floating
vegetation, if possible.

41. • Persons holding
regattas, races,
tournaments, or other
competition or
exhibition events on the
water must first obtain
a permit for the event
from the county sheriff.

42. No Restriction
(25 HP or less)
*May vary by location*

43. 25-75 HP
Under 12 Years Old
(with adult over 21 present)
*May vary by location*

44. 25+ HP
(12- 17 Years Old)
with adult over 21 present
OR
alone with watercraft operator
permit
*May vary by location*

45. • If you do not have a
certificate from your
state you may obtain
one by successfully
completing the DNR’s
home study boating
course.

47. • Many accidents
encountered while
boating, can simply be
avoided by using

48. • Wear a life jacket

49. • Wear a life jacket
• Watch the weather

50. • Wear a life jacket
• Watch the weather
• Collisions with a second
boat or another object
don’t just happen. They
are usually the result of
inattention, fatigue, and a
lack of knowledge about
local water conditions

51. • Wear a life jacket • If someone is in trouble in
• Watch the weather the water, use elementary
rescue methods first, such
as throwing something
• Collisions with a second that floats to the victim.
boat or another object
don’t just happen. They
are usually the result of Only as a last resort
inattention, fatigue, and a should you ever enter the
lack of knowledge about water to save someone.
local water conditions

53. • [Slide 1]. Retrieved October 1st 2012 from: http://www.boat-ed.com/
• [Slide 4 & 52]. Retrieved October 1st 2012 from: • [Slide 26-27]. Retrieved October 1st 2012 from:
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/boatwater/index.html http://wakeboardingmag.com/category/photos/
• [Slide 5-6]. Retrieved October 1st 2012 from: • [Slide 28]. Retrieved October 1st 2012 from:
http://www.paulstravelpictures.com/Copper-Canyon-Lake-Havasu-San- http://www.flickr.com/photos/11689106@N04/3512966828/
Bernardino-CA/Copper-Canyon-Boat-Party-Lake-Havasu-009.JPG
• [Slide 7-8]. Retrieved October 1st 2012 from: • [Slide 30]. Retrieved October 1st 2012 from:
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/boatwater/index.html http://www.flickr.com/photos/11689106@N04/3512966828/
• [Slide 9]. Retrieved October 1st 2012 from: http://www.boat-ed.com/ • [slide 32-33]. Retrieved October 1st 2012 from:
http://www.atlanticcitynj.com/mediaonline/image_library_all.aspx
• [Slide 10-16]. Retrieved October 1st 2012 from: ?Code=RECREATION
http://fishandboat.com/boatcrs/03boathandbook/chap2_06_pfd.htm
• [Slide 36-39]. Retrieved October 1st 2012 from: http://www.boat-
• [Slide 17 & 20]. Retrieved October 1st 2012 from: ed.com/
http://markhancock.blogspot.com/2006_06_01_archive.html
• [Slide 40]. Retrieved October 1st 2012 from:
• [Slide 21 &24& 27]. Retrieved October 1st 2012 from:
http://submissions.detroitnews.com/submissions/wakeboarding-on-lake- http://www.noozhawk.com/article/121109_outdoors_qa_can_wat
fenton-2/ erfowl_hunters_get_a_little_help/
• [Slide 22]. Retrieved October 1st 2012 from: • [Slide 41]. Retrieved October 1st 2012 from:
http://www.flickriver.com/groups/starcircleacademy/pool/interesting/ http://wakeboardingmag.com/category/photos/
• [Slide 23]. Retrieved October 1st 2012 from: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-
xoQKYtUFy_U/T7qv-
zS8jtI/AAAAAAAAI8U/_RhXaA5xdcc/s1600/Bodie+%2526+Mono+Lake%252
C+June+Lake+175.JPG