I can distinctly remember the summer after my freshman year in high school. I was still mowing lawns in the neighborhood for cash and outside of some tennis lessons three afternoons a week I had lots of free time. This was also the first summer my father allowed me to take our 17-foot Whaler Sugar Babe, my fathers nick name for my mom, out with just my friends. Dad would drop the boat in the water for me at the James Island Yacht Club before work and after my yard work was done my friends and I would ride our bikes down to take the boat fishing for the day. While I do not remember all the rules, I do believe they were fairly simple; do not go past the jetties and be responsible.
While I am sure trusting a 14-year old with a 17-foot boat was not easy for my father, he had spent many hours with me over the years showing me proper operation and handling of a boat. After all I had been running the boat for years with either him or my older brother Andy perched on the bow throwing the cast net for mullet since I was in grammar school.
These days it is not quite as easy for a youngster to take off with their fathers boat for an afternoon of fishing. SC Law now states, In South Carolina, boaters 16 years of age and older may operate any recreational boat or PWC without restrictions. However, persons under the age of 16 must complete a boating course approved by the SCDNR in order to operate a motorboat or PWC with a 15 horsepower motor or greater. The law goes on state The only exception for those under the age of 15 who have not completed an approved boating safety course is when they accompanied by an adult not under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
So what is involved in taking a boating a course and are they just for youth? Here are the SCDNR recognized three (3) options to take the Boater Education Course:
- Instructor-led Classes
The preferred Boater Education method is through a free six (6) hour instructor-led classroom course. Classes are generally offered in a one day format. All class