NEW BOATING SAFETY EDUCATION LAW INFORMATION

Boating Safety Bill

MTA/NJ News Release on Boating Safety Bill

MTA/NJ News Release on Boating Safety Bill

Boating Safety Education Law FAQ's

Q. Does a current USCG license satisfy the education requirements?

A. Yes, it does. Anyone holding a USCG operators license is exempt from the education requirements.

Q. Is this a license that is now required to operate a boat?

A. No, this is NOT a license requirement. It is an educational requirement that mandates that everyone that operates a power vessel take a boat safety course that is approved by the Superintendent of the State Police.

Q. I took a course a few years ago but do not have a Boating Safety Certificate issued from the State Police, what do I do?

A. You can contact the State Police directly at (609) 882-2000 Ext. 6181 and they will look it up for you.

Q. How will I know if the course I took was a state certified course that satisfies the education requirements?

A. You should have received a Boating Safety Certificate issued by the State Police. If you are unsure of whether or not you have taken the correct course, you can contact the State Police at (609) 882-2000 Ext. 6181.

Q. I have been boating for a number of years; will I still need to take the boating safety course?

A. There is an experienced boater provision that was written into the law in response to boaters that have been boating for a number of years. This language allows the Superintendent of the State of Police to develop an "experienced boater test". Persons taking and passing the test will not be required to complete the boat safety course. The test has not yet been developed.

Q. How will I know when I need to take the course by?

A. The education requirement is being phased in over the next four years as follows:

Persons born after December 31, 1978 have to take the course immediately. Persons born after December 31,1968 and on or before December 31, 1978 have to take the course before June 1, 2006. Persons born after December 31, 1958 and on or before December 31, 1968 have to take the course before June 1, 2007. Persons born after December 31, 1948 and on or before December 31, 1958 have to take the course before June 1, 2008. All other persons need to haven taken the course before June 1, 2009.

Q. I currently have a boat operator's license, does this satisfy the requirements?

A. No, it does not. The boat operators license is a "Non-Tidal Boat Operator License" that is issued by the MVC and is only required if you boat on non-tidal waters such as lakes and non-tidal rivers in NJ. Where applicable, it must be carried in addition to the Boating Safety Certificate.

Q. If someone has a USCG license and is exempt from the requirment, can they optain a boating safety certification card?

A. If a person with a USCG Captain's license is going to operate in instances that do not require a Captains license can optain a wallet size State issued boating safety certiciate. The individual has to mail a copy of the Captain's license, a copy of their motor vehicle license, their hair and eye color, home telephone number (with area code), along with a self-addressed stamped envelope to:

NJSP BSC/Captain
Box 7068
West Trenton, NJ 08628-0068

Q. If a course has previously been approved does it meet the requirements of the new safety law?

A. Yes, a course that was previously approved does meet the requirements of the new boating safety law.

Q. When will the experience boaters test-out option be in place?

A. The boating safety test-out option is now available. Visit the New Jersey State Police Marine Services Bureau website for locations where the test will be administered along with requirements to take the test.

Test-Out Option link

Q. What are the approved Coast Guard Auxiliary courses?

There are three courses that meet the new boating safety law requirements. The three courses are:

BS & S: Boating Skills and Seamanship
BS: 8-hour mandatory Boating Safey Course
ABC: America's Boating Course

Q. If someone has a commericial vessel operators premit is that operator exempt from the new law?

A. No, the individual must still take a Boating Safety Course to meet the new law requirements.

New Jersey State Police Marine Services Unit Website

http://www.njsp.org/maritime/index.html

New Jersey State Police Information Pamphlet

New Jersey State Police Information Pamphlet

New Jersey Boating Safety Test-Out-Option

New Jersey Test-Out-Option Link

Boating Safety Education Courses Contact Information

NJ Boating Safety Classes

Phone: (201) 291-5976

NJ Boating Safety Classes Website