State Law vs. Federal Law

Registration and Titling Requirements:

To legally operate your boat or PWC on the public waters of Georgia, you must carry aboard your Georgia Certificate of Boat Registration and affix a set of validation decals to the side of your boat. The following are exempt from boat registration:

• Sailboats under 12 feet in length
• Canoes, kayaks, rowboats, and rubber rafts that have no mechanical propulsion
• Boats operated exclusively on private ponds or lakes
• Vessels properly documented with the U.S. Coast Guard
• Boats with valid registration in another state not remaining in Georgia for more than 60 consecutive days

Boat registration applications are available from any office of the Wildlife Resources Division of the Department of Natural Resources, at certain marine dealers, marinas, hardware stores and sporting goods stores, and online at www.goboatgeorgia.com.

Once the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Boat Registration Office is in receipt of the proper application and fees, you will receive a Certificate of Boat Registration and Validation Decals. The pocket-sized registration must be kept aboard the boat or PWC at all times and be readily available for inspection by a law enforcement officer.

The Certificate of Registration and Validation Decals are valid for three years!

You must display your boat registration numbers (beginning with GA) on the forward half of your vessel well above the waterline where it can be easily read by law enforcement officials. Letters and numbers are to be block style of at least 3" tall and must be black or another color that contrasts with the hull. Letters and numbers are to read from left to right and have a space or hyphen to separate letter and numbers. The validation decals must be affixed before the GA prefix letters of the registration number. The registration and decals are valid for three years and expire the last day of the owner's month of birth.

Laws for Required Wearing of PFDs :

All boats must have at least one properly-fitting U.S. Coast Guard approved Type I, II, III or V PFD for each person aboard. In addition one Type IV PFD must be onboard all vessels (except class A vessels including canoes, kayaks and PWCs). All PFDs must be readily accessible and in serviceable condition.

In addition to carriage requirements, Georgia has the following requirements for wearing a PFD:

Additional Equipment Requirements:

In addition to minimum federal equipment requirements, some states may require additional safety gear to be carried aboard for certain bodies of water. Be sure to check with your local waterway authority before heading out. The following items are recommended depending on how and where you use your boat:

Recommended Additional Safety Equipment!

• Compass and charts
• Marine VHF radio
• Anchoring equipment
• Bailing device
• Spare parts & tools
• Extra starting battery
• Oars or paddles
• Flashlight

Mufflers and Noise Levels:

An effective muffling system must be in place for the exhaust of each internal combustion engine so as to effectively decrease noise. Law enforcement officials may test motorboats for vessel noise and may cite operators not in compliance. Many Georgia lakes have specific laws prohibiting vessels from making excessive or disturbing noise.

Loud boat noise not only bothers other operators and users of the waterways, it can also disrupt peace ashore because of sound's ability to travel great distances over water. Excessive noise can also prevent a boat operator from hearing other boats' sound signals and warnings and can prevent you from hearing approaching law or rescue personnel.

Requirements for Waste, Oil and Garbage Disposal:

It is illegal to throw, discharge or deposit any refuse matter of any kind into U.S. waters. It is also illegal to discharge untreated sewage waste, oil and other petroleum products, including contaminated bilge water into any federally controlled or Georgia state waters.

• All boats with a marine toilet must be equipped with a method to collect and contain all waste products, preventing it from entering surrounding waters. A "porta-potty" is not considered a marine toilet.
• Boats with marine toilets must only empty its contents at an approved pumpout facility or into a sewer system located on dry land. It is illegal to pump out a marine toilet's wastewater holding system into surrounding waters.
• Certain boats may be equipped with a "Y" valve to direct or divert wastewater. These boats must conform to current guidelines for disposal. In certain areas, operators are required to remove the "Y" valve so that waste cannot be discharged into the water.
• All boats equipped with a marine toilet must be registered with the Georgia DNR and affix a Marine Toilet Certificate decal adjacent to the vessel's registration number. Each boat owner must maintain a record of the names, places and dates of pumpout facilities used going back at least one year.

• Discharge of fuel, oil or any oil product, including contaminated bilge water, is strictly prohibited. All boats 26 feet or longer must properly display a 5x8 inch Oily Waste Discharge placard near the bilge pump switch.
• All boats 26 feet or longer, when operating in waters under federal jurisdiction, must display an informational placard on the subject of federal marine pollution prevention laws. The placard must be 4x9 inches and placed in a location where crew and passengers can read it.

Mandatory Education and Age Requirements:

Who May Operate a Boat in Georgia?
Operators Under 12: Children under the age of 12 are prohibited from operating a boat that is considered Class 1, 2, or 3 or, Class A boats powered by a motor greater than 30 horsepower (hp). Children of this age may however, operate a Class A boat that has an engine less than 30 hp or no motor at all as long as a competent adult with proper identification is aboard.

A competent adult is defined as a person 18 years of age or older who is not under the influence of alcohol or drugs and who is carrying proper identification such as a government issued ID that contains a photo, a description of the person and date of birth.

Operators 12 or 13: Children that are 12 or 13 may legally operate a non-motorized Class A boat without restrictions. They are prohibited from operating a boat that is considered Class 1, 2, or 3 or, Class A boats powered by a motor greater than 30 horsepower (hp). Children of this age may however, operate a Class A boat that has an engine 30 hp or less only if they:

• have passed a boating safety course approved by the Georgia DNR, or
• are accompanied by a competent adult, or
• are under the direct supervision of a competent adult who is aware of their supervisory responsibility and is within sight of and within 400 yards of the child.

Operators 14 or 15: Children that are 14 or 15 may legally operate a non-motorized Class A boat without restrictions and they may operate any other boat only if they:

• have passed a boating safety course approved by the Georgia DNR, or
• are accompanied by a competent adult, or
• are under the direct supervision of a competent adult who is aware of their supervisory responsibility and is within sight of and within 400 yards of the child.

Operators 16 and older: Persons 16 years of age or older may operate any boat on the waters of Georgia if they carry aboard proper identification such as a government-issued ID containing a photo, a description of the person and date of birth.

Who May Operate a PWC in Georgia?
Operators Under 12: Children under the age of 12 are legally prohibited from operating a PWC.

Operators 12 to 15: Children that are aged 12 to 15 may legally operate a PWC if they:

• have passed a boating safety course approved by the Georgia DNR, or
• are accompanied by a competent adult, or
• are under the direct supervision of a competent adult who is aware of their supervisory responsibility and is within sight of and within 400 yards of the child.

Operators 16 and older: Persons 16 years of age or older may operate any PWC on the waters of Georgia if they carry aboard proper identification such as a government-issued ID containing a photo, a description of the person and date of birth.

Rental: A person must be at least 16 years of age in order to rent or lease a PWC.

Reckless & Dangerous Operation:

Boat and PWC operators must exercise the degree of care necessary to prevent endangering life, limb, or property. Care shall be taken to operate any vessel so as not to bring harm to you, your passengers, and other boaters.

Some activities considered negligent or reckless operation in Georgia:

• Operating a vessel (or towing a person) at greater than idle speed within 100 feet of a dock, pier, or bridge; any vessel that is moored, anchored or adrift; or any public park, beach or persons swimming in the water.
• Following too closely behind another vessel, jumping the wake of another vessel within 100 feet of that vessel, or changing course or direction in order to jump the wake of another vessel.
• Riding or allowing passengers to ride on the bow or gunwales if not properly equipped with a protective railing device designed to keep occupants aboard.
• Running around or within 100 feet of another boat at greater than idle speed unless passing the other vessel in compliance with navigation rules regarding encountering vessels.
• Buzzing or spraying another vessel or causing damage from the wake of your vessel.
• Overloading the boat with passengers or cargo beyond its safe loading capacity.

Boat Speed Limits:

Boat speed limits are regulated by law for certain areas and conditions. In general, you must not operate your vessel faster than is reasonable and prudent under the prevailing conditions. When no speed limit is posted, operate your boat at a safe speed so that it will not endanger others. Always keep a proper lookout and never load a boat with passengers or cargo beyond its safe carrying capacity.

• White buoys or signs with red or orange markings will indicate speed limits and no-wake zones.
• In Georgia, idle speed is the slowest speed at which it is possible to maintain steerage control.
• At all times, operators must be prepared to avoid a collision and have engines ready for immediate maneuvering.
• It is illegal to operate your vessel at a greater than idle speed within 100 feet of a boat not underway or adrift; a dock, bridge, pier or person in the water; the shoreline adjacent to a residence; a public park, beach, swimming area, marina, restaurant, or other public-use area.

Special Activities Restrictions and Considerations:

Many states regulate certain other water-related activities. For your safety, and for those who may be in the water, you should abide by these special laws.

Special Activities, Restrictions & Requirements:

• Waterskiing and other tow-sport activities must not take place between sunset and sunrise.
• Persons waterskiing or participating in tow sport activities must wear a ski-belt, ski jacket or a Type I, II, or III PFD.
• An observer, other than the operator, must be aboard each boat towing a skier or other tow-sport participant, or a wide angle rearview mirror must be mounted so that the operator can view those persons being towed.
• A PWC used for waterskiing or for other tow-sports must be rated for three or more persons in order to accommodate the operator, observer, and the person being towed. A wide-angle mirror may not be used in place of an actual observer when using a PWC.
• PWC operation may not take place between sunset and sunrise.
• PWCs must be equipped with a self circling device or engine cut-off safety switch with a lanyard attached to the operator's person, clothing or PFD.
• Vessels engaged in scuba diving and snorkeling should display a red and white diver down flag to mark their diving area. Other vessels must remain at least 100 feet from the person in the water.
• Vessels engaged in diving activity and restricted in their ability to maneuver, must hoist a blue and white alfa flag when conducting operations in federal and international waters.

Operating Under the Influence

Boating Under the Influence (BUI) is illegal nationwide. State BUI laws are becoming more stringent. As on the roadways, on-water enforcement officers may administer sobriety tests and/or conduct a chemical test to determine level of sobriety.

In Georgia:

• It is illegal for persons under 21 years of age to operate a boat or PWC if their blood alcohol level is .02% or more.
• It is illegal for persons 21 and older to operate a boat or PWC if their blood alcohol level is .08% or more, or if drugs are detected.

Anyone who operates or attempts to operate a vessel is deemed to have given consent to an alcohol and/or drug test. Refusal to submit to such test may result in loss of boating privileges. Boating under the influence can bring fines and/or jail time for those convicted.

Officer Authority, Compliance & Assistance

OfficersIn Georgia, the conservation rangers of the Georgia DNR and other designated peace officers have the authority to stop and/or inspect vessels to enforce Georgia and federal boating laws. The United States Coast Guard also has enforcement authority on federally controlled waters. of the MDWFP and the Department of Marine Resources, as well as other authorized law enforcement or peace officers, have the authority to stop and inspect vessels to enforce Mississippi and federal boating laws. Additionally, the United States Coast Guard has enforcement authority on federally controlled waters.

In Georgia, DNR rangers have the authority to stop and/or inspect vessels!

Boat operators must immediately yield and reduce speed when being overtaken or stop if directed by a law enforcement official. When operating in an area of law enforcement activity, you should reduce speed and give a wide berth until beyond the area of operation of the law enforcement vessel.

Accident Reporting Requirements

Anyone involved in a boating accident is required to stop and give assistance as long as it will not personally endanger the operator, passengers or vessel/s. Operators involved in an accident shall remain at the scene to the extent it is safe and practical, and exchange personal and boat information with authorities and other involved parties.

If the following occurs as a result of a boating accident, it must be reported to the authorities by the quickest means possible:

• Property damage exceeding $2,000 in total
• An injury requiring first aid or medical attention
• Death or disappearance of a person involved

A written accident report on a form supplied by the DNR must be submitted within 48 hours:

• If a person dies within 24 hours as a result of the accident
• If a person is disabled more than 24 hours
• If a person requires medical treatment for injuries
• If a person disappears from a boat or PWC

All other accidents must be reported within 5 days of the occurrence.

Other State Boating Laws

Often times counties, cities and districts within a state will have different, more restrictive laws. Boating laws are subject to change and it is your responsibility to be informed of the law as it applies to you and your on-water activities. To be absolutely certain about specific boating laws in your state it is wise to contact your state boating agency.

It is Your Responsibility – Be Informed!

We provide this information as a service and strive to keep this website up to date. Please let us know of any inconsistencies by bringing them to our attention at once at onlinecourse@boatus.com. Resources for these pages include state statutes, state web pages and state approved boating guides. BoatU.S. is not responsible for any misinterpretation of the law or any change in the law that is not adequately reflected in these pages. Damages as a result of failing to abide by stated law shall not be the responsibility of BoatU.S., BoatU.S. Foundation or its employees.

Back to BoatU.S. Foundation Homepage