Canadian lawmakers made an aggressive move at curbing power-boating fatalities recently by passing a bill that requires vessel operators to take a boater-safety course. The law, introduced in January, will be phased in during the next decade.
Starting this year, power-boat operators younger than 16 years old will be required to complete an eight-hour education course. By 2009, operators of all power boats will be required to take a safety course. In the U.S., various forms of boater education courses or boat operator licenses are required in 23 states. No federal operator-licensing laws exist.
