Alaska Boating Safety Study Guide 2026

Boating education in Alaska

Alaska is one of the few states that do not require boating education. No card or course is needed to operate a boat. Even so, the Alaska Office of Boating Safety, part of the Department of Natural Resources, highly recommends that all boaters take a course. Powerboaters should look for a course approved by NASBLA, the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators.

Alaska Water Wise

The office's own course, Alaska Water Wise, is free for Alaskans and NASBLA approved. It is usually taught live over Zoom on two weekday evenings, and groups can arrange an in-person class. Students must pass a written exam to receive a course completion certificate. Topics include trip preparation, boat operation, emergencies, cold-water survival, the Navigation Rules and boating laws.

Why take a course

An Alaska Boater Education card can be used in some states that do require a card, so it helps when you boat outside Alaska.
Completing a course can lower boat insurance costs.
Most important, it teaches the cold-water skills that save lives in Alaska.

Other options include NASBLA-approved classes from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and training from the Alaska Marine Safety Education Association (AMSEA). Paddlers can look for courses from the American Canoe Association and American Whitewater.

Life jackets and Kids Don't Float

Alaska's boating law (Alaska Statutes 05.25) requires persons under 13 to wear a life jacket when they are in an open boat, on the deck of a boat, or being towed. Every boat must also carry one approved life jacket for each person on board, in good condition.

A life jacket only works if it fits and is fastened.

Close the front zipper.
Fasten every buckle.
Pull the side straps snug.
Lift test: when someone pulls up at the shoulders, the jacket stays below the chin.

Kids Don't Float

Kids Don't Float is a statewide program created because of Alaska's high child and youth drowning rate. It began in Homer in 1996 with 15 loaner stations around Kachemak Bay. At a loaner board, you can borrow a life jacket at no cost and return it after use. The program also offers boating safety classes and pool sessions for students.

Cold water: Alaska's biggest danger

Most boating deaths in Alaska come from drowning in cold water. Many victims drown long before their body cools enough for hypothermia. The main causes of cold-water immersion are capsizing, swamping and falling overboard.

Stage	When	What happens
Cold shock	First 3 minutes	Gasping, fast breathing and panic
Cold incapacitation	Within 30 minutes	Arms and legs stop working well, even for strong swimmers
Hypothermia	After 30 minutes or more	The body's core cools until you lose consciousness

The 1-10-1 principle

1 minute: get your breathing under control.
10 minutes or more: make a plan. Find the others in your group, try to get out of the water, and call or signal for help.
1 hour or more: stay conscious and slow your heat loss.

This only works if you are wearing your life jacket. Putting one on in cold water is extremely hard, if not impossible. That is why the office says wearing it may be the most important thing you can do to survive.

Registration and Alaska boating laws

Registration

Boats with mechanical propulsion must be registered and numbered with the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Motorized boats over 24 feet must also be titled.
Boats with no mechanical propulsion are exempt.
A certificate of number is valid for three years.
Keep the certificate on board whenever the boat is in use, and display the number and any decals.
A boat from another state needs an Alaska certificate if it is used on Alaska waters for more than 90 days in a row.

Safe and legal operation

Do not operate a boat in a reckless or negligent way that puts other people or property in danger. An owner can be held liable for injury or damage caused by negligent operation of the owner's boat. Alaska's driving under the influence laws and penalties also apply to boat operators.

Accidents

The operator or owner must file a written report after an incident that causes a death, a disappearance, an injury needing treatment beyond first aid, or property damage over the state threshold.

Equipment highlights

Alaska's requirements summary lists federal equipment as well: a fire extinguisher for boats with inboard engines, a sound device such as a whistle or horn, ventilation, backfire flame control, navigation lights from sunset to sunrise and visual distress signals. It also asks you to attach the engine cut-off device when underway and to carry a way to climb back aboard.

Plan your trip

Alaska waters are remote and help can be far away. Before you go, file a float plan with someone you trust. Include the names of everyone on board, your destination and route, when you expect to return, and when and whom to call if you are late. Tell the same people if your plans change, and as soon as you get back.

Check the weather and water conditions.
Use a pre-departure checklist for fuel, equipment and life jackets.
Carry a way to call for help, such as a VHF radio.

This quiz's first practice set covers Alaska's own laws and safety programs. The other sets cover national topics found in every approved course, such as right-of-way, lights, sound signals, buoys and required equipment.

Key terms

The 16 words and rules to know for this test. Read the list or study them as flashcards: flip each card, then mark it "Know it" or "Still learning".

No required boating course: Alaska is one of the few states that does not require boating education, but its Office of Boating Safety highly recommends a course.
Alaska Office of Boating Safety: Part of the Department of Natural Resources. It runs the state's boating safety programs and courses.
NASBLA: The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. Powerboaters should choose a course it has approved.
Alaska Water Wise: The state's own free, NASBLA-approved course, usually taught live over Zoom on two evenings, ending with a written exam.
Alaska Boater Education card: Proof of a completed course. It can be used in some states that require a card and may lower boat insurance costs.
Life jackets under 13: Alaska law requires children under 13 to wear a life jacket in an open boat, on deck, or while being towed.
Kids Don't Float: A statewide program begun in Homer in 1996 that lends life jackets at loaner boards and teaches boating safety.
Loaner board: A station where you borrow a life jacket at no cost and return it after you finish boating.
Cold shock: Gasping, fast breathing and panic in the first 3 minutes after falling into cold water.
Cold incapacitation: Within 30 minutes in cold water, arms and legs stop working well, even for strong swimmers.
1-10-1 principle: 1 minute to get breathing under control, 10 minutes or more to plan, get out or signal for help, and 1 hour or more to stay conscious.
Boat registration: Boats with mechanical propulsion must be registered and numbered with the DMV. Motorized boats over 24 feet must also be titled.
Certificate of number: Valid for three years and kept on board whenever the boat is used. Out-of-state boats need one after 90 days in a row.
Owner liability: A boat owner can be held liable for injury or damage caused by negligent operation of the owner's boat.
Accident report: A written report the operator or owner must file after a death, disappearance, injury needing more than first aid, or major damage.
Float plan: Trip details left with someone you trust: who is aboard, your route, when you will return and when to call for help.