New York Boating Laws and Regulations

Image by Gerhard G. from Pixabay

Before you think about entering into the water with a boat in New York, make sure you abide by the rules. If you go to a lake most weekends during summer, you will find the place crowded as people are busy enjoying rare weather in the water. But you are advised not to join others yet until you fulfill New York State Boating laws and regulations.

If you are going to use personal watercraft, canoe, electric motors, federal documented boats, and rowboats, ensure they are registered with the New York state department of Motor Vehicles. Also, they must have validation stickers displayed on them. The only way to stay safe and avoid breaking the law is to practice safe boating. But if you are yet to be certified, get yours at Aceboater NYC as they are reputable and offer speedy process online.

New York Boater Education Card

Many people confuse New York Boater Education Card with a driver’s license, but the two are different. The Boater Education Card is the one that represents a boating license, and it verifies that you have gone through the course (Boating Safety Course) and approved. All boaters in New York are required by law to possess Boater Education Card if they were born on or after May 1st of 1996. Even without following the requirement of laws, every boater should acquire Boating Safety Education for your security when enjoying New York waters.

Brianna’s Law – In Effect As of January 1ST, 2020

Brianna’s Law will begin to apply on January 1st, 2020

Those born on January 1st, 1993 or after the law require you to undergo a boating safety certificate before operating any motorized vessel starting in 2020.

Those born on January 1st, 1988 or after the law require you to undergo a boating safety certificate before you operate any motorized vessel starting in 2022.

For those born on January 1st, 1983 or after, the law requires you to undergo a boating safety certificate before operating any motorized vessel in 2023.

For those born on January 1st, 1978 or after, the law requires you to undergo a boating safety certificate before operating any motorized vessel in 2024.

The law further demands all motorized vessels operators to have gone through boating safety certificate come January 2025.

Regarding livery operations, they are not in any way affected by the law. As others abide by the new regulations, patrons renting boats from the department of livery operations will not undergo boating safety certificate as long they uphold safe handling plus locations of safety equipments before rental. But for livery staff, the new regulations will apply and is a must for them to acquire the certificate.

The Brianna’s law has abolished all previous laws that granted new boat owners a grace period of 120 days to possess a safe boating certificate since the purchase. Additionally, the previous law permitted non-certified persons to run a boat without boating safety certificate as long if one person had one in the boat. But the new regulations have abolished that requirement, and it’s no longer useful. So, all non-certified persons will be required by law to acquire the certificate if they want to operate any boat.

How to Acquire Your New York Boating License

If you’d like to acquire a boating license, you need to sign up first for BOATsmart course. When you register, BOATsmart will take you through the course, and finally get tested. After a successful pass now New York waterways will permit you to enjoy your time in the water.

Life Jacked Requirements in New York

It is not a requirement for adults to wear life jackets when on New York waters. The only time they can wear is between November 1st and May 1st on a boat that is less than 21 feet in length. They should also wear when being towed by another boat such as water-skiing or when running a PWC. However, even though wearing a life jacket is not a requirement, New York State suggests everyone wear life jackets when getting into the water for their own safety.

New York State requires children that are 12 years of age to wear specifically Coast Guard-approved life jacket when operating on a boat that is 65 feet in length. The only time not to wear a jacket is when on an enclosed such as a cabin. Parents are advised at all times to make sure their children put their life jacket and fitted correctly in good condition. The law requires children to wear Jackets.