The rules in the Texas Water Safety Act apply to all public waters of the State of Texas and to all vessels on that public water. The local governing bodies of incorporated cities and towns, county commissioners, courts, and political subdivisions have the authority to pass rules relating to restricted areas and the operation and equipment of boats deemed necessary for the public safety. Special rules and/or special water safety regulations may apply to specific lakes. To enforce the provisions of the Texas Water Safety Act, game wardens and other peace officers certified as marine safety enforcement officers by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, are authorized to stop, board, and inspect any vessel to determine whether there is compliance with applicable provisions.
- To be eligible for certification as a marine safety enforcement officer, a person must:
- be an active duty peace officer;
- hold a Texas boater education certificate; and
- successfully complete the marine safety enforcement officer training course and marine safety enforcement officer examination.
- To retain certification, a marine safety enforcement officer must comply with all reporting requirements as set forth in § 55.806 of this title (relating to Reporting Requirements). §55.804 Marine Safety Enforcement Officer Course Standards
- The marine safety enforcement officer course shall consist of the following instruction topics:
- provisions of the Texas Water Safety Act, Parks and Wildlife Code, Chapter 31;
- navigation rules;
- United States Coast Guard rules applicable to state waters;
- boater education requirements; and
- the reporting requirements of § 55.806 of this title (relating to Reporting Requirements).
- The marine safety enforcement officer course is successfully completed when a peace officer has:
- attended a minimum of eight hours of prescribed instruction by a department certified marine safety enforcement officer instructor; and
- passed the department approved marine safety enforcement officer examination.