The Five Things You Must Know Before Buying PWC Insurance: If you own a boat, you definitely need watercraft coverage. Too often, people don’t realize that they need coverage for their boats. Some don’t even realize that boat coverage is available. Many know it is available, and they think about it they just decide that this type of coverage isn’t something that they need. In most cases, they are wrong! You do need boat insurance, and you need to know what you are looking for when you start shopping for the coverage.

The changes to Colorado’s Boating Under the Influence (BUI) law has taken effect! On August 5th, 2008, Colorado’s law on Boating Under the Influence (BUI) was greatly strengthened as the changes from the 2008 legislative session went into effect.

These changes include:

* Eliminating the distinction that only operators of motor boats or sailboats can be arrested for being under the influence of alcohol, drugs or controlled substances. Now any person operating or in physical control of ANY vessel can be arrested. That includes watercraft operated by motor, wind, paddle and oar; such as jet skis, sailboats, motorboats, kayaks, canoes and rafts.

* Reduced the limit on the Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) at which person operating a vessel are considered under the influence from .10 to .08, making it consistent with the limit for motor vehicle operators on Colorado roadways.

Drinking and boating can be just as dangerous, if not more so, than drinking and driving. This is because in addition to the negative affects on judgment, vision, balance, coordination and reaction times associated with alcohol consumption, water creates an even more hazardous environment due to the: motion of the boat and waves, wake and current; vibration of the boat; noise from motors; sun; glare; wind; and spray. Also keep in mind that boats are a lot different from vehicles since they steer from the rear, they have no brakes and there is no designated lanes or traffic control devices.

Whatever you decide to do for fun this summer, please remember to be safe and don’t booze & boat!

It is your responsibility to know and follow established personal watercraft rules and regulations:  It is your responsibility to know and follow established rules and regulations. The following is a summary of those rules. In addition to state boating laws, local government and federal agency regulations may apply to boating activities in some areas. Contact the county sheriffs office or the federal agency for the area where you will be boating to find out if any additional regulations are in effect.

* MCA 23-2-5 defines the laws for registering and operating watercraft in Montana.
* ARM 12.8.212 defines the rules for boating and swimming areas.
* ARM 12.11 covers no-wake zones, boat equipment requirements, and regulations for specific bodies of water.   Montana Boating Laws Booklet (Montana Boating Laws Booklet 1.4 MB)
* Rules for Operating a Boat in Montana -These are the laws for operating a boat in Montana.
* Required Equipment -Montana and federal laws require that basic safety items be on board all boats.
* Rules of the Road -These rules of the road are the traffic laws of Montana’s waterways. Like other traffic laws, they are legally binding on vessel operators. The rules dictate who has the right of way when vessels meet in open water and in crowded anchorages
* No Wake Zones on Lakes -The No-Wake zones vary depending on the size of the lake.
* Closures & Use Restrictions -Closures and public use restrictions are in effect for reasons of public health, safety, or protection of property.
* Aids to Navigation -Individuals and nonprofit organizations may identify hazards on state waterways by placing a sign or marker at the hazard.

When you think of California, surf, sand, and blue oceans come to mind. Water sports are popular pastimes among residents and visitors alike. If you are one of those people who love the water, proper insurance for motorized water craft is a must. Many California car insurance companies that insure your vehicles will also insure your toys. Before taking to the water, call your car insurance company and get rates for your boat or personal watercraft (PWC).

There are many different types of boats and California car insurance companies have different rates depending on what boat you have. It is a good idea to obtain insurance for all motorized watercraft. Personal non-motorized watercraft can be insured, but it isn’t as important to do so. Insurance typically covers damages you are liable for when you make a mistake or have a loss due to fire, animals or other non-preventable incidences. If your boat or PWC is not worth a lot and not motorized, insurance is not needed, but if your boat has a high risk of injury or will cost a lot to repair/replace, definitely insure it.

Passenger boats are usually powered by motors and are bigger than a canoe. These boats usually can carry three or more passengers comfortably. Serious bodily and property damage can be done with these boats. At the very least, liability insurance should be purchased. If the boat is stored by a company during off months, ask them if your boat is covered if something happens. You may be able to save some money by dropping your insurance coverage during winter months if it is covered by the storage company’s liability policy. States differ in their insurance laws and minimums. Contact your California car insurance carrier for requirements and rates.

Personal watercrafts are used mainly for one or two people and can either have a motor or not. Waverunners and kayaks are good examples of PWCs. Canoes and kayaks normally do not need insurance coverage and many times are covered under homeowners insurance against fire or theft.

Some PWCs can be dangerous or are expensive to fix and should be insured to offset these costs. Again, each state has it’s own laws so make sure you call your insurance carrier, ask what the requirements are, and get a car insurance rate that reflects boat coverage.

When deciding whether to insure your watercraft, use good common sense. If the boat can do serious harm, it should be insured. Find out and abide by all state laws pertaining to insurance and usage. Keep in mind when traveling that all states have different regulations. Learn what they are before leaving on vacation

The documents required to register and title a new vessel or a vessel being registered for the first time are:

* Application for Vessel Certificate of Number (BOAT 101).
* Proof of ownership, such as the out-of-state title in the applicant’s name or properly endorsed for transfer and signed by the applicant. A bill of sale is acceptable in lieu of the seller’s signature on the title,
OR
* The original or certified copy of a conditional sales contract or security interest showing the purchaser’s name and any lienholder and marked “paid” and countersigned,
OR
* A bond for the vessel value if proof of ownership cannot be provided and the vessel’s value is $2,000 or more.

NOTE: If your vessel is located at an address other than your residence address, you must show the vessel location on the application.

You may register your vessel at any DMV office or mail your registration application (Boat 101) to:

Department of Motor Vehicles
P.O. Box 942869
Sacramento, CA 94269-0001

NOTE: The vessel trailer must also be registered and is separate from the vessel registration. The trailer is no longer required to be registered annually.

Life jackets for infants come in one size to fit a child up to 30 pounds. They should have a head support collar and safety crotch strap. These life jackets can be found at all the same places that carry life jackets for bigger children and adults-department stores, marine supply stores and on the Internet. Many life jacket sources only carry life jackets seasonally, but marine supply stores and Internet suppliers will carry them year-round.

Summer is one of the busiest times of the year for boating. As it comes to an end, it’s time to start thinking about how to properly store it. There are many different techniques you can use, some are good and some are bad. The most important is to at the very least to check your boat. Many people never bother thinking nothing can go wrong with the boat while in storage.  Further they did not even check their boat or personal watercraft insurance and that is easy to do.

Stop at the scene and assist others if you can do so safely. This is required by law. For more details, see the Colorado boating statutes.  Don’t risk lives to save equipment. Summon help. Each operator involved in an accident must file an accident report. Operators are required by law to exchange names and addresses, vessel IDs and the name of the owner, if different from the operator.

File an using an accident report using a Boating Accident Report Form within five days if the incident results in:

* Loss of life or disappearance from a vessel
* An injury that required medical treatment beyond first aid
* Or property damage in excess of $500 or complete loss of vessel.

Submit the report to:

Colorado State Parks
13787 S. Hwy. 85
Littleton, CO 80125

Any person failing to file this report is guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction shall be punished by law. This report will not be used as evidence in any trial, civil or criminal, arising out of the accident.

What are the leading causes of boating accidents in Colorado?
Careless operation, excessive speed and lack of attention.

What are the leading causes of boating fatalities in Colorado?
Capsizing and boating under the influence (BUI). When you’re loading up your boat make sure everything is in balance, you’re not overloaded and you have a sober driver.

Are life vests important?
In many accidents, passengers not wearing a personal flotation device (PFD) have drowned. Take a few minutes to make sure everyone has an approved PFD and knows how to use it.

Most personal watercraft accidents involve an operator other than the owner. Owners may be held liable if they let someone operate their craft and it is involved in an accident. Be sure that all operators of your craft understand its operation and know the rules of the road. Although liability insurance is not required, it is strongly recommended. Protect yourself from liability claim by buying PWC insurance here!

CAUSES OF ACCIDENTS:  Operator Inattention Operator inexperience or inattention is the primary cause of accidents involving personal watercraft. The craft can accelerate quickly and are very maneuverable. To avoid collisions: • Maintain a proper lookout by watching ahead and to the sides and behind your personal watercraft at all times. • Always look before turning. • Keep a reasonable distance between yourself, other boats, and swimmers. • Become familiar with the safe boating rules.

This 233-mile stretch of the Colorado River has become a year-round recreation area for power boaters, paddlers, water-skiers, and fishermen.  To enjoy a safe trip on the Colorado, boaters need to become familiar with the characteristics of the area that make boating on this desert waterway unique. The state lines of California, Nevada and Arizona intersect in the Colorado River area.  While many boating laws are the same in each state, a few laws differ and can be confusing to boaters.

The California Department of Boating and Waterways, Arizona Game and Fish Department and the Nevada Department of Wildlife teamed up to publish this Boating Safety Guide to provide basic information which will assist you in planning a safe and enjoyable trip on the Colorado River.

Arizona: Watercraft With Motors Greater Than 8hp: The operator must be at least 12 years of age. An operator under the age of 12 must have direct on board supervision by a person who is at least 18 years old

California: Watercraft with motors greater than 15hp and sailboats exceeding 30’ in length: Operator must be at least 16 years old. Operators between the ages of 12 -15 must have a person 18 or older on board for supervision.

Nevada: Motorboats with motors of 15hp or greater on interstate waters: Any operator, born on or after Jan. 1, 1983, must possess proof of completion of a NASBLA approved boating course if operating on Nevada’s interstate waters, including but not limited to Lake Mead, Lake Mojave, Lake Tahoe, Topaz Lake and Sections of the Colorado River System. PWC: The operator must be at least 14 years of age and comply with the requirement above.

The answer is a BIG yes! Age Required To Wear: AZ: A person, age 12 or younger, must wear a Type I, II, III, life jacket while the vessel is underway. When wearing a life jacket, all closures must be secured according to the manufacturer’s design. CA: 13 and under must wear Type I, II, III, or V life jacket when on vessel of 26’ or less while underway. NV: Children under 13 must wear a life jacket when the watercraft is underway, except when inside an enclosed cabin. PWC:  AZ: Each person on board must wear a life jacket. CA: Each person on board must wear a Type I, II, III or V life jacket.  NV: The operator and all passengers must wear a life jacket. Towed Devices: AZ: Each person being towed must wear a life jacket, buoyant belt, or other flotation aid. If a buoyant belt or flotation aid is used, a life jacket must be on board the towing vessel for each person being towed. CA: Each person being towed must wear a Type I, II, III, V life jacket. NV: Each person being towed must wear a life jacket.

In California , you do not need a license to operate a boat . Some states do require boaters to be licensed or to have taken a boating safety course, so always check with the boating law administrator’s office in the state you plan to boat in. For contacts in other states, visit http://www.nasbla.org/i4a/member_directory/feSearchForm.cfm?directory_id=3&pageid=3335&showTitle=1

Several operating characteristics distinguish PWC. It is expected that PWC operators will fall overboard as a normal part of operation. For this reason, most models have safety lanyards or “kill switches” that are connected to the operator’s wrist to ensure that the vessel stops when the operator falls off.

It is also expected that PWC will roll over in the water; in effect, they capsize on a regular basis. PWC owners manuals include procedures for uprighting a capsized vessel. According to an international group working on PWC guidelines, in traditional boats, falling overboard would be considered the first event of a boating accident, and capsizing and swamping are also considered to be boating accidents or emergency situations.

But for PWC, these are expected events; consequently, PWC are designed and constructed with somewhat different objectives than traditional boats