Virginia State Parks are ideal for outdoor recreation, especially on the water!

Boater Safety Requirements

In 2007, the Virginia General Assembly enacted a law to establish a boating safety education compliance requirement. This requirement will be phased in over the next several years and by 2016, all operators of PWCs (Personal Watercraft such as jet skis, Sea Doos, Wave Runners) and operators of Motorboats with a 10 hp or greater motor, will be required to have a boating safety education course completion card on board when operating a PWC or Motorboat.

As of July 1, 2013, all PWC operators age 14 and older and motorboat operators 40 and younger must complete a boating safety course. This is the next phase-in of the Education Compliance Requirement for all Virginia boaters. Beginning July 1, 2014, all PWC operators age 14 and older and motorboat operators ages 45 and younger need to take a boating safety course. Learn more here.

Learn more about personal flotation devices and what is required on your boat here. Other equipment required on your boat can be found here at Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

Be safe not stupid!

Life jackets are mandatory when you rent a kayak, canoe or any other boat at a Virginia State Park

If you wish to rent a boat at a Virginia State Park, click here to see where these are available. Learn more about bringing your own boat here.

Be responsible, be safe, have fun—and always wear a life jacket on the water!