Staff Report
Published June 17, 2009

South Carolina is the latest state to launch a new interactive boater education course, BoaterExam, as an online option to obtain the S.C. Boating Safety Certificate.

S.C. residents will have access to an animated and narrated course they can take online at their convenience. The course is approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard. It covers all of the state’s exam requirements.

“We are extremely excited about this new course process,” said Kerry Moher, vice president of BoaterExam.com. “The study guide has more than 150 animations and practice quizzes that will better prepare students to successfully complete the final exam.”

Course participants learn about boat classifications, hull designs, motors, legal requirements for registration and equipment, navigation rules, basic safety regulations and waterway marking systems in a narrative fashion with more than 300 illustrations and 150 animated video clips.

In South Carolina, boaters younger than 16 are required by law to pass an approved boater education course before they can operate, unsupervised, a personal watercraft or a boat powered by 15 or more horsepower.

The BoaterExam.com course and final exam are free to take; students pay $29.95 to obtain their official results when they pass the final exam. Those who pass can print a temporary certificate immediately.