Ok,,, Virginia requires the boater have a Virginia certified Boater's Safety Course. I know most states have similar requirements. Since I do plan on fishing in different states... how do you guys cover this? I was told I could get a U.S. Coast Guard certificate that is recognized in EVERY state. Is this true? What to do... what to do...

I guess I won't be going to virginia.

Didn't know that. In IL you just need the proper safety equiptment. Coast guard classes are available but not required.

This was copy and pasted from the Virginia Game and Fish website.

"If you are operating a boat registered in Virginia, you must comply with Virginia's boating safety education requirement. If you are operating a boat registered in another state, but temporarily using the waters of Virginia for a period of 90 days or less, you must meet the applicable boating safety education requirements of your state."

Im sure every state has the same policy. If they didnt I would think that would effect the tourism to their state negatively.

Those laws were primarily written to deter kids on jet-skis. At least in the states I fish in, there is a "grandfather" clause, meaning if you are over a certain age the formal education is not required, although it's very easy to get on-line. I take the on-line test every year or so, just to make sure I'm not getting senile.

Oh... yeah... I forgot to mention that Virginia does recognize other state's requirements. I know Washington D.C. requires that you get one of their certifications. I was planning on fishing a tourney on the Potomac and found that I was required to get cert from them. Didn't know about other locations though. Is there a site that lays this out state-by-state?

I guess I won't be going to virginia.

Didn't know that. In IL you just need the proper safety equiptment. Coast guard classes are available but not required.

What he said.

I fish other states and have never run into that before.

You can take a free online boating safety course at the BoatU.S. Safety Foundation:

http://www.boatus.or...rse/default.asp

Depending on the state, this course will often meet their requiements. I suggest you see if your home state excepts the course and then the certificate will be good in Virgnina. You can take the Virginia course but it takes a bit of time because the state requires you to spend a certain amount of time on each slide.

I have fished all of the southern states and have not had any problems with state boating requirements even though they vary by state. I have been checked several times for routine inspection without issue. You are only required to meet the laws from the state of registration.............Up north all bets are off................Al