Boating is one of America’s greatest outdoor freedoms — yet for many, it begins without training to ensure success on the water.
Each year, more than 11.8 million recreational boats traverse U.S. waters. They range from personal watercraft to pontoons, ski boats to cruisers. Yet unlike driving a car, where training and testing are mandatory in every state, boating often begins with a rented vessel, a tank of gas and a wave goodbye.
In many states, that’s perfectly legal.
That’s a big problem.
A nation of inconsistency
The United States has no unified national requirement for recreational boating education. While some states mandate boater education and issue an ID card for certain age groups or horsepower thresholds, others have loopholes, grace periods or no requirement at all. Many of these ID cards are mistaken for a license.
According to the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), only 36 states require some form of boater education — often just a one-time online course, with no on-water training or practical boat control skills.
The results speak for themselves.
In its most recent annual report, the U.S. Coast Guard noted that 74% of boating deaths occurred on vessels where the operator had no formal boating safety instruction. Despite widespread awareness campaigns and public service announcements, the message still isn’t reaching everyone who launches a boat.
Boating without education isn’t just risky - It’s often deadly.
The illusion of simplicity
Many people wrongly assume boating is intuitive.
“People think if they can drive a car, they can operate a boat,” says Peg Phillips, Executive Director of the National Safe Boating Council (NSBC). “But on the water, there are no brake lights, no painted lines, and no shoulder to pull over on.”
The NSBC is one of the nation’s leading voices for boating safety. Alongside NASBLA, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and state Water Patrol divisions, NSBC advocates for stronger education requirements, increased enforcement and greater investment in real-world training.
The Coast Guard Auxiliary and Water Patrol officers are often the first responders to distress calls — and they see firsthand how operator inexperience and poor judgment lead to emergencies.
“The USCG Auxiliary and Water Patrol units are out there on the front lines,” says Phillips. “Whether it’s a capsized boat, someone overboard or an accident at the dock, these incidents are frequently preventable with basic training.”
Why online education isn’t enough
Online boating courses offer a helpful starting point. They teach essential concepts like navigation rules, right-of-way and the importance of life jackets. But online learning alone can’t simulate real-world boating conditions — wind, waves, engine failures or tight maneuvering at a crowded dock.
Operating a boat is more than laws and rules.
That’s where on-water training becomes critical. Not just any instruction will do.
Training with a nationally certified curriculum—such as NASBLA-approved programs like the NSBC's Boat Control On-Water Course or those aligned with U.S. Coast Guard standards—is crucial. Learning from a friend or relative who has “been driving boats for years” might seem convenient, but it often perpetuates bad habits, misinformation or a false sense of preparedness. Experience alone does not make someone a qualified instructor.
At the On-Water Boat Control Academy, we combine decades of experience with curriculum-based instruction that follows national best practices. We emphasize correct procedures, legal responsibilities, emergency drills and situational awareness — concepts informal coaching often overlooks.
Boating isn’t a guessing game. It’s a skill, and skills development requires training — from professionals using a recognized standard curriculum.
The experience gap is growing
As boat ownership expands — especially among younger, first-time buyers — the experience gap is widening.
According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), first-time boat buyers now account for over 30% of new boat sales. Meanwhile, the rise of peer-to-peer boat rentals has created thousands of new “captains for a day,” many of whom have never docked a boat before.
This new wave of boaters is eager and enthusiastic — but dangerously underprepared.
Without a stronger national commitment to education, that trend will continue.
What needs to change
“People should take responsibility on their own to get qualified training now,” says Captain Mike Doll. “Boating should remain one of America’s great freedoms, but we must also foster a culture of skill, safety and responsibility — especially the safety of others are depends on our skill on the water.”
What the experts say needs to change
To close the gap and save lives, we need to rethink boating education on a national scale. Here’s what experts and enforcement agencies agree on:
The role of certified captains and academies
Organizations like the On-Water Boat Control Academy, Ozark Boat and Safety Training LLC, state Water Patrols and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary are already helping to fill the education gap — but we can only do so much without broader support.
These programs deliver more than instruction. They build a mindset of preparedness and accountability. Whether it’s navigating busy marinas, managing emergencies or docking in high winds, trained instructors offer experience that no online course can replicate.
When a student trains with a professional captain — through On-Water Boat Control Academy or Ozark Boat and Safety Training LLC — they don’t just learn to operate a boat.
They learn the responsibility that comes with being in command.
Your next step: Train like a captain
Boating is more than a pastime — it’s a privilege, and with that comes responsibility.
If you’re new to boating, don’t wait until something goes wrong. Take a certified course. Better yet, book a session with a qualified instructor using a nationally recognized curriculum. If you’re experienced, be a mentor. Invite others to learn. Advocate for better education requirements in your state.
There are two excellent options at Lake of the Ozarks:
On-Water Boat Control Academy and Ozark Boat and Safety Training LLC offer nationally aligned, hands-on instruction to help boaters stay safe and capable.
Book a session today. Because on the water, there are no second chances. Only safe ones.
About the Author
Captain Mike Doll is a USCG Master Captain, President of the Boat Captains Association of Missouri, National Safe Boating Instructor, and founder of the On-Water Boat Control Academy and Ozark Boat and Safety Training LLC. With over 40 years of experience on lakes, rivers, and coastal waters, he is a nationally recognized advocate for boating education and safety.
Learn more at https://mikedollfishingguide.com
Captain Mike Doll moved to Missouri in 1978 and has love of boating began very young when his dad took him fishing on the Atlantic Ocean and lakes of Florida. His growth mindset is a part of his success in sales management, operational management, consulting, coaching, contracting and other leadership duties. Mike has enjoyed being an Author during his professional career.
Since 2003, Mike has been on the Lake of the Ozarks regularly and is involved with several lake area businesses on the water. He now focuses his time on his professional fishing guide and yacht charter business called Mike Doll Fishing guide and Charter Captain Experience, LLC. He is currently training to be an instructor for USCG captains licensing, and First Aid and AED training.
Mike also works with Ozark Boat Safety Training LLC and is an active member of the Water Safety Council. Mike does charter work driving customers' personal boats and has contracted with a small fleet of yachts. Mike divides his time between St. Peters and the lake. He enjoys outdoor activities with friends and family including his two sons, his daughter-in-law, his two grandsons, a very special significant other, her two daughters, and son-in-law.
