The original item was published from May 12, 2017 10:30 AM to May 12, 2017 10:32 AM
It is almost summer and school will soon be out, and that means summer recreation. Kansas has many fine lakes and reservoirs, so it is no surprise that boating is a common Kansas pastime. Just like automobiles, operating a boat is regulated by the state of Kansas, primarily in the interests of safety, environmental stewardship, and taxation.
Boating regulations fall under the jurisdiction of the
Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism. An excellent place to start informing oneself about boating in Kansas is the KDWPT's
Boating page, containing numerous articles and links.
While no one under the age of 12 is allowed to operate a powerboat without direct supervision, Kansans between the ages of 12 and 20 can take a
KDWPT course and receive a certificate allowing them to do so. If one is 21 or older, or any age operating a non-motorized boat, a certificate is not required.
By law, motorboats and sailboats in Kansas are
required to be registered and are taxed annually as personal property.
Kansas statutes and administrative regulations governing boat operation in Kansas can be found
here.
Although frequently overlooked, an important aspect of responsible boating involves following established practices to
avoid the introduction or spread of aquatic nuisance species. Aquatic nuisance species are organisms foreign to Kansas waters that can devastate the native ecosystem because they are over-competitive against native species. In addition to permanently altering the recreational environment, invasive species cost the US economy billions of dollars each year.