Safe Boating Education

With larger and faster boats and an increasing number of boaters enjoying Lake Wylie, it is more important than ever that everyone understand boating safety laws and regulations and abide by them each time they are on the water. This includes kids – its never too early to learn to be safe!

Lake law enforcement officers and the Lake Wylie, Lake Norman and Mountain Island Marine Commissions strongly encourage boaters of all ages to take a live 6-8 hour
NASBLA (National Association of State Boating Administrators) approved boating safety education class. Home-study and online courses are available but are discouraged because they are far less effective than courses taken in person.

  • In North Carolina, anyone between the age of 14 and 16 years of age
    must complete a NASBLA approved Boating Education Course and carry a certification card and proof of age in order to operate a personal watercraft on the waters of the state. No one under age 14 can operate a PWC (personal watercraft).

  • In South Carolina, boaters under 16 years of age are required to pass an approved boater education course before operating, without supervision, a personal watercraft (jet ski) or a boat powered by 15 hp motor or more.
Approved classes are offered in the Lake Wylie area by these organizations:
  • Charlotte Power Squadron 2008 704-365-5508 : [2008 Schedule]
  • N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission 919-733-7192
    Check availability of classes Here
  • South Carolina Department of Natural Resources 800-277-4301
    Check availability of classes Here
  • U.S. Coastguard Auxiliary 704-663-3333
  • U.S. Power Squadron 704-364-5678
  • Lighthouse Marine Service, Inc 704-587-7054 : [ 2008 Schedule ]