TEACH KIDS TO HAVE FUN AND BE SAFE IN THE WATER! 

• Always wear a life jacket that fits around or in the water!
• Always swim with a buddy!
• Always make sure a grown-up is watching you!
• Always buckle-up in your boat – just like in your car!

(Visit SPLASH to learn how the Marine Commission’s little talking tugboat can teach kids about water safety.)

TEACH KIDS TO HAVE FUN AND BE SAFE ON A BOAT!

Adults - be a good example by learning and following the rules of safe boating and teach children how to enjoy water recreation safely!  Better yet, take a safe boating class together!
(Check NC and SC boating laws and regulations and learn about safe boating classes on our Boating Safety and Education page.)

What do you need to have on board a boat?

• PFDs (Personal Flotation Devices) or life jacket that fit for everyone – especially children.
• Kids 13 and under in NC and 12 and under in SC must wear a PFD at all times.
• A throwable PFD in case someone falls overboard.
• A whistle or horn.  Attach a whistle to your PFD, too, so you can use it if there is an emergency.
• A fire extinguisher

What do you need to do while on board a boat?

• Keep your PFD (life jacket) on at all times!
• Stay seated at all times when the boat is underway.

Who may operate a vessel/boat?

• In South Carolina
• Persons 16 years of age or older may operate any boat or PWC without restrictions.
• Persons younger than 16 years of age may operate:
• A boat or PWC powered by less than 15 horsepower without restrictions.
• A boat or PWC powered by 15 horsepower or more only if:
• They are accompanied by an adult at least 18 years old who is not under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs or...
• They have passed a boating safety course approved by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
• It is unlawful for a person to cause or allow a child over whom they have permanent or temporary responsibility to operate a boat or PWC illegally.

• In North Carolina
• No person under age 14 can operate a personal watercraft. Age 14-16 must have a boater education certificate, or be physically accompanied by an adult 18 years or older.
• Personal watercraft riders must wear personal flotation devices at all times. A safety kill switch lanyard must be attached to the operator, and personal watercraft are not allowed operation between sunset and sunrise.
• Children 13 years and younger must wear a personal flotation device at all times on the water.

LINKS for Kids, Parents and Teachers

Safe Boating

Commander Bob’s Safe Boating Sidekicks - http://www.boatingsidekicks.com
Boat Safe Kids:  Teach Kids about Safe Boating! - BoatSafeKids!.com
US Coast Guard Safe Boating Coloring Books - http://www.uscg.mil/top/downloads/coloring.asp

Water Quality and the Environment

Environmental Kids Club: Environmental Protection Agency - http://www.epa.gov/kids/water.htm
Environmental Websites for Students and Educators: Environmental Protection Agency - http://www.epa.gov/epahome/students.htm.
Give Water a Hand! Take Action to Improve Local Water Quality - http://www.uwex.edu/erc/gwah
Water Drop Patch Project for Girl Scouts: Environmental Protection Agency - http://www.epa.gov/adopt/patch/