Oklahoma State Specific Regulations

Who May Operate A Vessel on Oklahoma waters.

1. No person less than 12 years of age may legally operate a PWC, vessel powered by a motor(s) in excess of 10 HP, or sailboat 16 feet or greater in length.

2. Any person between the ages of 12 years and 16 years must have completed a Oklahoma approved boating education class before they are allowed to operate a PWC, vessel powered by a motor(s) in excess of 10 HP or sailboat 16 feet or greater in length.

3. In addition to the requirements stated above, PWC operators between 12 years of age and 16 years of age must be supervised within 500 yards by an adult who is 18 years of age or older. Persons who are between 12 years of age and under 16 years of age who are operating a traditional motor boat or sailboat must have a person 18 years of age or older on board the vessel in a position to take control of the vessel if necessary.

As a PWC owner, you may be held responsible if you allow anyone else to operate your PWC in such a way that it violates the laws of Oklahoma.

Requirements Specific To PWC

PWC operators must follow all boating laws. In addition, they must follow requirements that are unique to their watercraft:

The operator, passengers on a PWC, and persons being towed by a PWC must wear a U. S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device designed for this activity.

When the PWC is in operation, the lanyard from the ignition shut-off switch must be attached or clipped to the operator's clothing, PFD, or person (wrist).

PWCs operating after sunset and before sunrise are required to be equipped with navigation lights required by the U.S. Coast Guard on powered watercraft of that size.

Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)

The U.S. Coast Guard requires all vessels to carry a Type I, II, III, or V personal flotation device for each person on board or being towed by the vessel. Any person operating or manipulating, or who is a passenger on a personal watercraft, water skis, a sailboard or a similar device shall wear a personal flotation device approved and designed for the activity in which the person is engaged. In addition a Type IV throwable PFD is required on vessels longer than 16 feet. Each PFD must be of the proper size for the intended wearer. PFDs should be checked regularly for any tears missing or broken buckles etc. and replaced if necessary. PFDs must be kept readily accessible and available (if not worn) to be grabbed and put on should an emergency arise such as the boat capsizing or sinking, or catching on fire. PFDs that are kept in a plastic bag or under other items, or seats, or forward inside the cabin will be very hard to get to in such an emergency. Most emergencies allow you only seconds to react and put on your PFD. It is recommended that everyone who boards your vessel is handed a PFD of the proper size, puts it on, adjusts it to fit, and keeps it with them till they leave the vessel. Children under 13 years old must wear a PFD at all times when on board vessels less than 26 feet. All PFDs should be checked for the U.S. Coast Guard approval number on the manufacturers tag. Read over the information on the tag when purchasing a PFD to be sure it fits your requirements for size, amount of flotation, and type of boating you intend to do.

Each person on a personal watercraft, sailboard, paddleboat or similar device must wear one at all times.

Alcohol and Drugs

It is unlawful to operate any vessel or PWC while under the influence of alcohol or drugs or both. Alcohol or drugs can result in a loss of a person's balance, blurring of the vision, slow reaction time and reduced hand eye coordination. Alcohol and drugs can also impair good judgment. Being under the influence of alcohol contributes to about one-third of all boating accidents nationally.

Because people can drink faster than their system can burn off the alcohol, there is an increasing level of alcohol in their blood. The amount of alcohol not burned off is referred to as Blood Alcohol Content (BAC).

Oklahoma law states that a person is considered to be "under the influence of alcohol" if there is:

• Blood alcohol content (BAC) is higher than 0.10% as measured by a breath or blood sample

• Any evidence of drug or intoxicating substance that affects, impedes their ability to operate a PWC or vessel.

• There's evidence that the person is under the combined influence of alcohol, drugs, or other intoxicating substance to a degree which affects or impedes their operation of a PWC or vessel.

Oklahoma Has Established The Following Penalties:

• Maximum fine of $1,000 for a first conviction for operating a vessel or PWC while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

• Maximum fine of $2,500 and not less than $1,000 for subsequent convictions of boating under the influence.

In Oklahoma, by operating any PWC or vessel you have deemed to give consent to be tested by any peace officer of Oklahoma, for alcohol, drugs or other intoxicating substance.

Failure to submit to this request for a test shall be admissible as evidence in trial.

Accidents and Casualties

A vessel operator must stop and render whatever necessary assistance possible to any person involved in boating accident, unless rendering this assistance would endanger your own boat, your life or the lives of your crew or passengers. Accidents must be reported as soon as possible to the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, Lake Patrol Section.

An accident report form must be filled out and submitted to the Lake Patrol Section if the accident results in any of the following situations:

1. The death or disappearance of any person as a result of the boat accident

2. Any person involved in the accident is injured and requires medical treatment beyond first aid

3. Any property damage in excess of $2000, to any vessel or other structures involved in the accident

Reports of the disappearance, or death of any person, resulting from the accident, must be made by the fastest means possible to any local police department, county sheriff or highway patrol office.

In the event of a boating accident, you must provide your name, address and vessel Certificate of Registration information in writing to any injured person and to the owner of any damaged vessel or property.

Any operator of a PWC or vessel who is 16 years of age or older operates in a reckless manner so as to cause an accident that results in the death, or injury that results in the death within one year following the accident, of any person shall be guilty of negligent homicide.

Inner Tubes, Floating Chairs or Similar Devices

These items must not be more than 50 feet from shore when being used by a swimmer. You should avoid swimming and playing in areas of high boating traffic such as boat ramps and marinas.

Local Regulations

Many Oklahoma waterways may have specific equipment and operational requirements in addition to those covered here. For example, the Grand River Dam Authority places additional lake rules and regulations on those boating on the Grand Lake of the Cherokees, Lake Hudson and W. R. Holway Reservoir. Find out what the local regulations are before you go out boating.

Races, Regattas and Tournaments

If an event is planned on Oklahoma state waters, you must contact, in advance of the event, the agency which has jurisdiction of the waters - either the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Information or the Grand River Dam Authority. If an event is being held on federally controlled waters, you must apply for a permit from the U. S. Coast Guard at least 30 days prior to the event.

Your PWC's Certificate of Boat Registration and Decal

All vessels in Oklahoma are required to be registered. Operators must have an Oklahoma Certificate of Registration number and a validation decal attached to the vessel in order to legally operate on public waters in Oklahoma.

The only exceptions are:

• Boats that are currently registered in other states and are only using Oklahoma waters for 60 days or less

Boats that have valid U. S. Coast Guard documentation are still required to be registered in Oklahoma. They are exempt from displaying the Oklahoma registration numbers but must display the valid Oklahoma registration decal on the forward half of the vessel.

Vessels may be registered for a 1 year or a 3 year period. There is a discount for registering your PWC or vessel for three years.

The Certificate of Registration and validation decals may be purchased in person at any Oklahoma motor license agent (tag agent) or by submitting the proper application form and fee by mail to:

Oklahoma Tax Commission
Motor Vehicle Division
2501 North Lincoln Blvd.
Oklahoma City, OK 73194

This Certificate of Registration must be onboard the vessel or PWC at all times when the boat or PWC is being operated. The Certificate of Boat Registration must be valid for the current year and available for inspection if requested by any law enforcement officer of Oklahoma.

The issued registration number and valid Oklahoma decal must be displayed in the following manner:

• The number must be attached as high on the hull as possible.

• The numbers must be of contrasting colors with the background where it is attached.

• The number characters placed so they can be read from left to right on both sides

• The registration number must be in at least three-inch-high BLOCK letters and numbers and ½ inch stroke width.

• Script or other lettering types that are hard to read from a distance are not allowed.

• The numbers and letters must be kept readable at all times.

• The valid registration card must be carried onboard the boat whenever the boat is being operated. The registration certificate is also required to be available for inspection at all times. This includes while in transit, while at a repair facility or in storage.

• The letters and numbers must be separated by a space or hyphen. For example: "OK 4718 AB" or "OK-4718-AB".

• No other numbers or letters of any type may be displayed on either side of the bow.

• The valid registration decal must be affixed to both sides of the bow, in the area just behind and in-line, with the boat registration number.

Registering and Titling - Outboard Motors

In Oklahoma you are required to title and register any outboard of 10 horsepower of more.

An outboard is required to be titled and registered separately from a vessel. If you purchase a boat with a motor you must title and register each individually.

The motor may be registered for a 1 year or 3 year period. There is a discount for registering the motor for 3 years. The Certificate of Registration expires on June 30th. Owners of registered motors are issued a motor registration decal, which must be displayed with approximately ½ of the decal on the upper on the left side of the motor cowling extending toward the rear.

Do not confuse the motor registration decal with the vessel registration decal when attaching them to the boat.

Hull Identification Number

The Hull Identification Number (HIN) is a unique series of letters and numbers, assigned by the manufacturer, to identify the vessel. HIN numbers were required to be assigned by manufacturers to boats built after 1972.

Hull Identification Numbers (HINs):

1. Identify one boat from another

2. Are engraved or embossed in the fiberglass or on a metal plate welded or attached to the transom with special rivets.

3. Should be recorded by the owner and put in a place other than the boat in case warranty problems arise or the boat is lost or stolen

Boats that are homemade or do not have a manufacturer assigned HIN or serial number must have a HIN issued to the vessel by the following process:

1. The owner submits the proper documents to the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) of the Tax Commission

2. MVD reviews the documents and issues the applicant written instructions to be provided to the Department of Public Safety (DPS)

3. DPS inspects the boat, and if appropriate, completes a form to be submitted along with the other documents, to a motor license agent or MVD for issuance of a title and registration

4. A copy of the Oklahoma Certificate of Registration must be carried with the boat and/or motor when in operation on the water

Homemade boats and boats or motors without HIN or serial numbers:

1. May be assigned hull identification numbers only by the Department of Public Safety, Lake Patrol Section of the Highway Patrol