The Missouri State Water Patrol believes one of the best ways to make the State's waters safer is through boater education. Since Labor Day, Water Patrol officers have instructed more than 5,000 students in the Missouri Boating Safety Course. Boaters are reminded that anyone born after January 1, 1984 is required to have a boating safety identification card while operating a vessel on a Missouri lake. The boating safety certification course is six to eight hours of classroom instruction on safe boating practices and Missouri boating laws.
There are several options to obtain the boating safety identification card. Water Patrol officers teach boating safety courses in our middle and high schools throughout the fall, winter and spring by request. In addition to teaching courses in schools, officers arrange courses open to the general public throughout the State. More than 40 courses were offered over the winter months. Seventeen courses are still available. To view a list of those classes and to register visit the Missouri State Water Patrol web-site at: www.mswp.dps.mo.gov . There is no fee to take the Water Patrol course. Students who successfully complete the course may purchase a boating safety identification card at any time in the future for $15. Approved courses taught by the Coast Guard Auxiliary and Power Squadron also satisfy the requirements to obtain a boating safety identification card.
For those who can't attend a course taught by an officer, the course is available via the internet and can be accessed from the Water Patrol web-site. Missouri's on-line boating safety course has recently undergone changes to make it more interactive. Students are not charged a fee for the online course until they pass the test. Students are given a 60 day temporary certificate once they've completed the online or live course.
A final option for the boating safety course is to order a home study course packet. This packet includes the same video and course booklet officers use to teach the course. These packets may be ordered by calling 1-800-830-2268.
Boaters are reminded not to wait until the last minute to obtain their boating safety identification card. Sign up for one of the remaining courses before the warm weather months are here. If you have out of state visitors coming to Missouri lakes this summer they will also need a boating safety identification card to operate vessels on our lakes. Missouri recognizes certified programs from other states for non-Missouri residents. For more information on Missouri's boating safety courses contact the Missouri State Water Patrol at (573)-751-3333.
There are several options to obtain the boating safety identification card. Water Patrol officers teach boating safety courses in our middle and high schools throughout the fall, winter and spring by request. In addition to teaching courses in schools, officers arrange courses open to the general public throughout the State. More than 40 courses were offered over the winter months. Seventeen courses are still available. To view a list of those classes and to register visit the Missouri State Water Patrol web-site at: www.mswp.dps.mo.gov . There is no fee to take the Water Patrol course. Students who successfully complete the course may purchase a boating safety identification card at any time in the future for $15. Approved courses taught by the Coast Guard Auxiliary and Power Squadron also satisfy the requirements to obtain a boating safety identification card.
For those who can't attend a course taught by an officer, the course is available via the internet and can be accessed from the Water Patrol web-site. Missouri's on-line boating safety course has recently undergone changes to make it more interactive. Students are not charged a fee for the online course until they pass the test. Students are given a 60 day temporary certificate once they've completed the online or live course.
A final option for the boating safety course is to order a home study course packet. This packet includes the same video and course booklet officers use to teach the course. These packets may be ordered by calling 1-800-830-2268.
Boaters are reminded not to wait until the last minute to obtain their boating safety identification card. Sign up for one of the remaining courses before the warm weather months are here. If you have out of state visitors coming to Missouri lakes this summer they will also need a boating safety identification card to operate vessels on our lakes. Missouri recognizes certified programs from other states for non-Missouri residents. For more information on Missouri's boating safety courses contact the Missouri State Water Patrol at (573)-751-3333.