Boaters Being Ticketed For This In New York

Are you planning to go out on a boat this summer?  You'll want to have one of these on you or face a pretty hefty fine.

There's a lot to remember when going out on a boat.  You need stuff like life jackets, sunscreen, first aid, and more.  This year, if you're driving, you need to have a Boating Safety Certificate too.

A new law just went into effect on January 1, 2025, that states all operators of motorized vessels regardless of their age need to carry a safe boating certificate while operating.  Prior to this year, the law only applied to people born on or after January 1, 1978.  But now it applies to everyone.

It's not just boats either

If you're driving a boat, you'll need one of these, but you'll also need one for things like jet skis.  The law says you need the certificate for recreational boaters using motorized vessels, including personal watercraft.  Un-motorized boats like canoes and kayaks do not require the certificate but they encourage you to take a boater safety course anyway.

If you rent a boat from a livery, you do not need a boating safety certificate.  The livery is required to provide basic instructions and safety information before you depart the dock.  However, if you rent a boat from another service such as getmyboat.com or another boat rental service, you will need one.

How do you get a Boating Safety Certificate?

There are a couple of ways to get one of these certificates.  There are online courses that you can sign up for, and there are also actually boating safety classes that you can sit in on in person.  Most will have a fee.  Click here for a list of approved courses.

The fee for operating a motorized watercraft without a safety certificate can be as high as $250, so it will be well worth your time to take the course early.