Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Department 391 - RULES OF GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Chapter 391-4 - WILDLIFE RESOURCES DIVISION
Subject 391-4-5 - BOATING REGULATIONS
Rule 391-4-5-.22 - Education Requirement for Vessel Rental

Universal Citation: GA Rules and Regs r 391-4-5-.22

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through September 23, 2024

(1) For the purposes of this Rule, the following definitions shall apply:

(a) "Boat Livery" means a business which holds any vessel for renting, leasing,or chartering.

(b) "Person" means an individual, partnership, firm, corporation, association, or other legal entity.

(2)A boat livery may not rent, lease, or let for hire any vessel ten horsepower or more to any person under 16 years of age. On and after July 1, 2014, a boat livery may rent, lease, or let for hire a vessel ten horsepower or more to a person 16 years of age or older if such person has completed a Rental Education Course approved by the Department's Law Enforcement Division and if all persons 16 years of age or older who intend to operate such vessel have also completed the Rental Education Course.

(3) Rental Education Courses provided by boat liveries must be approved by the Department's Law Enforcement Division and must result in a Rental Education Certificate being issued upon successful completion of the Course. Rental Education Certificates shall be effective for six months after the date of issuance and shall be valid anywhere in the State of Georgia. Boat liveries may use Rental Education Course materials provided by the Department, or they may use Rental Education Course materials approved by the Department. At a minimum, a Rental Education Course must consist of a ten minute operator operation familiarization video followed by a renter orientation checklist. Such video must address the following topics in order to be approved:

(a) Operator responsibility (ethics), courtesy and good judgment on the water;

(b) Safety Equipment;

(c) Navigation Rules;

(d) Aids to navigation; buoys and other waterway markers; and

(e) Identification requirements.

(4) The requirement to complete a Rental Education Course does not apply to any person licensed by the United States Coast Guard as a master of a vessel, any person who has in his or her possession a valid boater education identification card showing that he or she has completed a boating education course approved by the Department's Law Enforcement Division, or a nonresident who has in his or her possession proof that he or she has completed a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators approved boater education course or equivalency examination from another state.

(5) Any person who violates this Rule shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

O.C.G.A. Sections 52-7-3, 52-7-8.3, 52-7-23, 52-7-26.

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