{"id":375954,"date":"2016-12-05T13:57:00","date_gmt":"2016-12-05T18:57:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/pennsylvania-law\/pennsylvania-boating-laws.html"},"modified":"2016-12-05T13:57:00","modified_gmt":"2016-12-05T18:57:00","slug":"pennsylvania-boating-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/pennsylvania-law\/pennsylvania-boating-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Pennsylvania Boating Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Pennsylvania Boating Laws<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

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Pennsylvania has rivers, canals, lakes, and other waterways that have been an important part of both business and leisure since the state was established. Pennsylvania boating laws were developed to ensure that the state’s activities on the water are regulated for everyone’s benefit. If you intend to ship out on Lake Eerie, or for a trip down the Susquehanna, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the state regulations. The following article and chart provide an overview of Pennsylvania boating laws that might affect you.<\/p>\r\n

Vessel Titling and Registration<\/h2>\r\n

Pennsylvania boating laws require all motorboats to be registered<\/a> with some limited exceptions. The boat registration must be carried on the vessel and be made available for inspection by authorities. Every boat to be registered must carry a certificate of title. Links to these and other statutory requirements are found in the chart below.<\/p>\r\n

Boating Licenses<\/h2>\r\n

Special requirements must be met in order for many to qualify to operate watercraft in the state of Pennsylvania. These requirement, and some of their limitations, are explored in the chart below.<\/p>\r\n

Boating and Alcohol<\/h2>\r\n

Pennsylvania boating laws list serious penalties for boating under the influence (BUI)<\/a> of alcohol or controlled substances and for accidents or violations that occur when an operator is under the influence. Details regarding alcohol testing and BUI standards in the chart below.<\/p>\r\n

Pennsylvania Boating Laws: The Basics<\/h2>\r\n

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Code Sections<\/b><\/td>\r\n
Age & Education Requirements<\/b><\/td>\r\n

Pennsylvania boating laws require anyone born on or after January 1, 1982 to acquire a certificate of boating safety education prior to operating a motorboat. This certificate must be presented upon demand by a waterways conservation officer<\/a> or other law enforcement officer. The following people are exempt from this requirement:<\/p>\r\n

Boating Under the Influence<\/b><\/td>\r\n

Those operating a watercraft in Pennsylvania are deemed to have given consent to drug and alcohol testing if a waterways conservation officer has grounds to believe the person was operating a watercraft under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or the operator was in control of the craft when it was involved in an accident that resulted in death or injury requiring treatment at a medical facility.<\/p>\r\n

A person is found to be guilty of boating under the influence if they are found to have 0.08 percent or greater blood alcohol content (BAC)<\/a>, or one of a number of controlled substances.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Boating Accidents<\/b><\/td>\r\n

The operator of a watercraft must file a written report:<\/p>\r\n