American Marine

North Carolina sets no general minimum age for operating an ordinary motorboat, but personal watercraft operators must be at least 14. Under G.S. 75A-13.3, a 14- or 15-year-old may operate a PWC only with a person at least 18 physically aboard who complies with G.S. 75A-16.2, or while carrying proof of age and approved boating safety certification. For vessels with motors of 10 horsepower or more, operators born on or after January 1, 1988 must meet the boating education requirement. The rental operator sets its own minimum, so confirm it when booking.

Source: North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (ncwildlife.gov)

North Carolina uses a boater education requirement rather than a conventional boating license: operators born on or after January 1, 1988 must have proof of approved education when operating a vessel with a motor of 10 horsepower or greater on public waters. This includes personal watercraft. PWC operators generally must be 16; ages 14 or 15 may operate with a compliant adult aboard or with proof of age and approved education, while children under 14 may not operate.

Exceptions include an authorized operator named on a rental or lease agreement, a 90 day state temporary certificate for a new or transferred boat, onboard direct supervision by a qualified adult at least 18, and qualifying nonresidents. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission administers the requirement.

Source: North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (ncwildlife.gov)

From New Bern, you can boat the Trent River, Neuse River, Brices Creek and Northwest Creek at Fairfield Harbour. The Trent joins the Neuse in New Bern and has a marked channel for about five and a half miles upstream. The Neuse is the route toward Pamlico Sound; NOAA advises staying in its channel because fish traps may be present in unmarked areas.

Brices Creek branches from the Trent and offers peaceful water for smaller boats. Northwest Creek is an unmarked creek leading to Fairfield Harbour. Public put-ins include the Brices Creek, Spring Garden and Bridgeton boating access areas.

Source: NOAA Office of Coast Survey (nauticalcharts.noaa.gov)

Boaters from New Bern can make day trips to Oriental Harbor, Brice’s Creek, Beard Creek and Fairfield Harbour on Northwest Creek. Oriental’s downtown town dock puts crews near Lou Mac Park and the town beach; Brice’s Creek offers fishing, picnicking and a network of canoe and kayak trails; Beard Creek has anchorage near its entrance; and Fairfield Harbour offers a Northwest Creek marina stop with fuel, water, ice and pumpout service.

Source: Town of Oriental (townoforiental.com)