Name:   Capt M Brooks - Subject:   Vessel Operator Certification Information Date:   6/17/2014 4:30:29 PM (updated 6/17/2014 4:31:35 PM)

Of the states that border Alabama - Georgia, Florida, Mississippi and Tennessee - all four require some type of boating safety education, though some of the requirements vary by age and vessel type. By my count, 45 states nationwide now require boating safety education in some form or other.

In the Marine Police Central Division, which covers Lake Eufaula, Lake Harding and Lake Martin - we deal with a lot of Georgia residents, and on some days it seems like we see more Georgia residents than Alabama residents. 

Incidentally, the new Georgia law requiring persons born on or after January 1, 1998 to complete an approved boating safety education course prior to operating a motorized vessel goes into effect in Georgia on July 1st. Beginning on that date, we will require Georgia residents that fall under this law to carry their proof of completion of the approved boating safety education course with them when operating on Alabama waters, as our law requires.

Here are a couple of links that may interest you:

New Georgia Boater Education Law

Guide to National Boating Education Requirements by State