Section 30.678. Boating safety certificates; requirements; exemptions; operation by minors.

 

(1)   Motorboats other than personal watercraft.

(a) No person under 10 years of age may operate a motorboat.

(b) No person who is at least 10 years of age but under 12 years of age may operate a motorboat unless he or she is accompanied in the motorboat by a parent or guardian or by a person who is at least 18 years of age and who is designated by a parent or guardian.

(c) No person who is at least 12 years of age but under 16 years of age may operate a motorboat unless one of the following applies:

1. The person holds a valid boating safety certificate issued under s. 30.74 (1) (a) or a valid boating safety certificate that is honored under s. 30.74 (1) (c) .

2. The person is accompanied in the motorboat by a parent or guardian or by a person who is at least 18 years of age and who is designated by a parent or guardian.

(d) No person who was born on or after January 1, 1989, and who is 16 years of age or older may operate a motorboat unless the person holds a valid safety certificate issued under s. 30.74 (1) (a) or a valid boating safety certificate that is honored under s. 30.74 (1) (c) .

(e) Paragraphs (a) to (d) do not apply to the operation of a personal watercraft.

(2)   Personal watercraft.

(a) No person under 12 years of age may operate a personal watercraft.

(b) No person who is 12 years of age or older but under 16 years of age may operate a personal watercraft unless he or she is in possession of a valid certificate issued under s. 30.74 (1) (a) or a valid boating safety certificate that is honored under s. 30.74 (1) (c) .

(c) No person who was born on or after January 1, 1989, and who is 16 years of age or older may operate a personal watercraft unless the person holds a valid safety certificate issued under s. 30.74 (1) (a) or a valid boating safety certificate that is honored under s. 30.74 (1) (c) .

(2m)   Proof of certificate. Any person who is required to hold a safety certificate issued under s. 30.74 (1) (a) while operating a motorboat shall carry proof that the person holds a valid safety certificate and shall display such proof to a law enforcement officer on request.

(3)   Exemption. Subsections (1) (b) , (c) , and (d) and (2) (b) and (c) do not apply to a person while the person is operating a motorboat as may be required as part of a boating safety course under s. 30.74 (1) .

(4)   Parent and guardian liability. A violation of sub. (1) (a) , (b) , (c) , or (d) or (2) (a) , (b) , or (c) that is done with the knowledge of a parent or guardian shall be considered a violation by the parent or guardian and shall be punishable under s. 30.80 .

2005 a. 356 ss. 1m to 3 , 7 , 9 , 10 ; 2015 a. 89 . Cross-reference: See also s. NR 5.16 , Wis. adm. code.