A ruling that might have sneaked up some anglers and boaters visiting Alabama went into effect Oct. 1, and it could cost you if you don’t savvy up. It says:

“Nonresidents may operate a vessel upon the waters of this state only after obtaining a valid boater safety certification or vessel operator's certification issued in his or her home state or country, or after obtaining a Nonresident Alabama Boater Safety Certification upon examination and certification under the same terms and conditions as Alabama residents.”

The state says enforcement will begin Oct. 15.

While formalizing the stuff that most of us think we already know might seem like a pain, things go a lot better on the water if everybody agrees to the same set of rules.

For example, if you head out from the dock before sunrise and you see a red light followed closely by a white light, do you know what that means?

It means another boater is approaching you from the right or starboard side, and that you MUST let them pass in front of you because they have the “right of way”. (You are seeing their port side red light at the bow, and their all-around white light at the stern.) You can either slow down or alter your course to allow passage—if you try to beat them to the point of crossing and it causes a collision, you are liable.

There are a whole collection of these rules, just like the rules that govern operation on our highways, and you’re obligated to know them before you leave the dock.

Some are just common sense rules that everybody follows for their own good. For example, red buoys are nearly always on the right side of the channel as you return to a harbor or marina or river from a larger body of water. The easy-to-remember rule is “red-right-returning”, and it will serve you well almost anywhere you boat, but particularly in waters new to you.

While most states now have boater safety certification programs, some do not. If you’re headed to Alabama from Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Indiana, South Dakota, and Wyoming, better look into getting certified asap.

And if you just dodged getting certified in your home state where certification is required, now may be the time to get it done. (In Alabama, you’re exempt if you were 40 or older on April 28, 1994.) 

In Alabama, the course covers the usual topics:

• Vessel Basics
• Navigation Rules
• Nighttime Navigation
• Emergencies
• Personal Watercraft (PWC)
• Boating Laws and Regulations
• Required Equipment
• Water Skiing and Surfing

A number of online courses are available. https://www.boat-ed.com/alabama/handbook.

Additional information can be obtained by contacting the Alabama Driver License Division, Operator Certification Section, P.O. Box 301451, Montgomery, AL 36130. Course information can be obtained by calling (800) 272-7930.

In many states where boater safety certification is a relatively recent requirement, older boaters were grandfathered in. In Florida, for example, residents born before Jan. 1, 1988 do not need the official course, but all born more recently must take the course to operate a motorboat with 10 horsepower or more.