§ 2221 — Certificate of boating safety education

(a) From and after January 1, 1994, except as provided in § 2222 of this subchapter, a person born on or after January 1, 1978, may not operate on the waters of this State a vessel required to be registered in this State or any other state, or documented by the United States Coast Guard, without first successfully completing a course of instruction prescribed by the Department and obtaining from the Department a certificate of boating safety education.

(b) Any certificate of boating safety issued by any state, and approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, shall be deemed to be sufficient compliance with the requirements of this section.

(c) A person who is subject to the provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall:

(1) Maintain in the person’s possession, at all times while operating a vessel or recreational boat on the waters of this State, the certificate of boating safety education issued by the Department; and

(2) Upon demand of a Fish and Wildlife Agent or any other law-enforcement officer, show the certificate of boating safety education issued by the Department to such agent or officer.

(d) It shall be a defense to any charge under subsection (c) of this section if the person so charged produces in court a Certificate of Boating Safety Education theretofore issued to such person and valid at the time of arrest.

Legislative History

69 Del. Laws, c. 60, § 4 ; 70 Del. Laws, c. 105, § 24 ; 71 Del. Laws, c. 427, § 6