Minnesota is consistently ranked as one of the most active boating states in the nation, with one registered boat for every six residents. With all that time on water comes risk. The Department of Natural Resources states Last year was the most deadly since 2005As many as 18 people drowned or were injured in boating accidents.
A coalition of outdoor and industrial groups wants to make Minnesota boating safer. This proposal would require all state boat operators (with some exceptions) to complete a mandatory safety course and obtain a permit before they leave the shore.
Rep. Erin Koegel, DFL-Spring Lake Park, sponsored HF3787. This bill would create a watercraft operator’s permit. It would be phased in over five years.
The House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee approved the bill 18-1 Tuesday. A delete-all amendment was added Tuesday. The bill was referred to the House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee. The companion SF3392The legislation is sponsored and awaiting action by Sen. Carrie Ruud (R -Breezy Point),
Koegel explained that this bill creates a national certified and approved boater education safety course. It would be phased in over five year and require that any boat operator born after Jan. 1, 1987 complete the boater education.
The DNR would have to develop a safety course for personal watercraft owners and operators. It could also require rental businesses to administer a boater safety exam to customers.
Adam Block, DNRs boating law administrator, stated that the state has added more then 16,000 motorized watercrafts to its waterways over the past two-years and that half of the victims who died in boating accidents in 2021 were younger than 40.
This schedule would allow for the gradual introduction of watercraft operator permits:
- For those born on or after the 1st of July 2003, this change will take effect July 1, 2024.
- For those born on or after the 1st of July 1999, effective July 1, 2025
- For those born after July 1, 1996, the following changes will take effect:
- Effective July 1, 2027 for all those born after July 1, 1987
Shane Magnuson, the Hennepin County Sheriffs Office water patrol officer, supports the bill. He stated, “The date 1987 will reach the date that we are most likely deal with in an enforcement capacity.” After a brief time on a busy lake, it becomes obvious that boats are more intuitive to operate than cars and motorcycles.
Magnuson explained that boaters who don’t have basic boating skills have seen the results. I have had to tell my families that their loved ones are gone and we know some of these incidents could have been prevented.
In support of the bill, the nation’s top boat dealer and manufacturing organizations wrote a letter to the committee.
A majority of states require some kind of boater education. Minnesota, for example, requires an operator safety course for every motorized recreational vehicle, but not for boating. We urge the committee’s support for this bill.
They stated that the proposal would create an education course with reciprocity between users. This is a proven way of dramatically improving boater safety. It also gives boaters the opportunity to share key messages and raise awareness about aquatic invasive species.
Rep. Jeff Backer (R, Browns Valley), asked how the program would operate. He noted the difference in busy lakes in the metro area compared to less crowded waters in Greater Minnesota.
Koegel believes enforcement will be done the same way it is now, with compliance checks being conducted by law enforcement officers who routinely stop boaters in order to determine if they have personal flotation devices or other safety equipment or licenses.
Rep. Josh Heintzeman, R-Nisswa, said the amended bill was one that he could vote for. However, he believes further tweaks might be needed.
He said that it does seem like there is a lot happening in this area. There are challenges. We have obviously had a lot more people out on the water.
