Training

NJ passed a new boating safety law, on January 9, 2006, requiring all persons born between 1969 and 1979 to have in their possession a valid boat operators license. In the past, this requirement was grandfathered ...........The fines in place for non-compliance are not pleasant.

This licensing is now mandatory.

The NJ Boating law ( Assembly Bill # 2624 ) requires the boating license. Here are the highlights.

Born After                        Born Before                         Must Take Course by

Dec. 31,1978                     -------                               Immediately

Dec 31, 1968                     Dec. 31, 1978                         June 1, 2006

Dec 31, 1958                     Dec. 31, 1968                         June 1, 2007

Dec. 31, 1948                    Dec. 31, 1958                         June 1, 2008

All Else                                                                     June 1, 2009

Any person over the age of 13 and under 16 must take a boat safety course to operate:

• A power vessel powered solely by an electric motor

• A power vessel that is 12 feet or longer and is powered by a motor or a combination of motors less than 10 HP

You cannot operate a PWC without a boating safety course.

An approved Boating Safety Course shall require at least 8 hrs, of instruction, with a minimum of 6 hrs. of classroom instruction, or if the course is offered via the internet, require at least the equivalent of 8 hrs of instruction. Whether offered in the classroom or via the internet, the boating safety course shall conclude with a closed book written exam administrated by an instructor in person.

An approved boating safety instructor means an individual who holds a USCG operators license, or a certification as an instructor as provided by the USCG Auxiliary, US Power Squadron, the National Safe Boating Council or other certificate acceptable by the Superintendent of State Police.

Upon successful completion of any of either the BS&S or ABC course the student will receive a certification and a NJ State Police Certificate. The NJ State Boating Safety Certificate allows the individual to operate a personal watercraft and allow the individual to operate a recreational motorboat on NJ waters.

We will post information regarding training sessions for this licensing as they are prepared. Please refer back to this page periodically for updates.