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   The onset of spring and summer brings us to a new season of recreational opportunities. With these opportunities are new laws governing the safe and legal operation of youth and watercraft. In Minnesota, starting July 1, 2025, anyone born on or after July 1, 2004, is required to take a boater education course and receive their watercraft operator’s permit before operating a motorboat on Minnesota waters. Anyone under the age of 12 may operate a motorboat with less than 75 horsepower if accompanied by a competent adult on board. As of July 1, 2025, Minnesota will require operators 21 years of age and younger to possess a valid watercraft operator’s permit for motorboats and PWC. No one under the age of 12 may operate a PWC, even with an adult on board. 

   For many years, the DNR has offered an online course that was required for youth ages 12-17 to operate boats. Starting July 1, 2025, a new law will require operators aged 21 years and younger to possess a valid watercraft operator’s permit for motorboats and personal watercraft. As such, anyone born on or after July 1, 2004, must take an online course. Over the next three years, this requirement will expand to other older age groups, so by 2028, anyone born on or after July 1, 1987 will have to take the course and have a permit before operating a boat.

This law will be phased in over 3 years. Born on or after the following dates:

• July 1, 2004 (effective July 1, 2025)

• July 1, 2000 (effective July 1, 2026)

• July 1, 1996 (effective July 1, 2027)

• July 1, 1987 (effective July 1, 2028)

   You can obtain an operator’s permit by successfully completing the Minnesota, NASBLA approved boating safety course. It is available at www.mndnr.gov/boatingcourse

   The Cass County Sheriff, under MN Rules Chapter 86B.105, is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for search, rescue, patrol and inspection of watercraft on the lakes, streams and rivers in Cass County. The role of the Boat and Water Safety Division is to:  Enhance safety on the waterways of Cass County, Respond to water emergencies, Abide by Minnesota Statute 86B1.5, Promote boat and water safety and enforcement, Buoy designated waterways for navigation and hazards, and Train and equip personnel for water search and rescue. While on patrol of these lakes Deputies are enforcing both state laws and county ordinances relating to boat registration, licensing, personal floatation devices, navigation lights, fire extinguishers, as well as unsafe operation of watercraft. The Boat and Water Safety Division also responds to complaints of unsafe watercraft use and watercraft accidents.

   Each Spring, our Recreational Deputy staff is engaged in teaching Boat and Water Safety Training in partnership with several school districts in our County. The last few years have shown record number (roughly 275 youth) completing the boat and water safety courses and obtaining their certification. In addition, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office partners with the WHA Community Education for a boat and water safety course to be held June 21st 2025 at 9:00 a.m., contact WHA Community Education for registration information. And a long-time partnership with a class in the Hackensack area on July 3rd 2025 –contact Mark Sand at [email protected] for registration and course details. A class in the Outing area is being scheduled.  A list of all Youth safety-training courses can be found at the MN DNR Website here: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/events/safety_training.html

   Through the long-term commitment of offering education and safety trainings with multiple partner’s county wide, we have seen the return on investment in terms of very few boat crashes and a much safer, educated boating community, especially in youth operators. 

   If you have specific questions that you would like answered in this column or in person, please feel free to contact me anytime using one of the following methods:

Email: 

[email protected]

Phone: 

218-547-1424 | 1-800-450-2677

By Mail/In Person:

Cass County Sheriff’s Office

303 Minnesota Ave W

PO Box 1119

 Walker MN 56484

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