The NYS Boating Safety Certificate
You MUST hold a NY State-approved Boating Safety Certificate if:
- You operate a personal watercraft, regardless of your age, but you MUST be over 14.
- You wish to operate a motorboat and you are at least 10 years old (14 for a PWC) and less than 18 years old .
- If you are less 10 years old you may operate a motorboat (non-PWC) only if someone over 18 or someone between the ages of 10 and 18 who holds a safety certificate, is on board with you. Anyone may operate a personal watercraft if someone at least 18 years old is riding on the craft and they hold a safety certificate.
- Boating Safety Certificates issued by other States are acceptable if you are a legal resident of that state.
- The certificate must be on board when the boat is in use.
Upon completing the course and passing the test, you will be given a Safety Certificate ("diploma") and a wallet card that must be carried on board when operating a PWC (or a motor boat if you are under 18 without an adult on board). Please keep the certificate as proof of having taken the course should you need to replace a lost card ($5. replacement fee applies)
OBTAINING T
HE SAFETY CERTIFICATEA NYS Boating Safety Certificate may be obtained by completing a State-approved boating safety course. These are given by several agencies and organizations, including: the U.S Coast Guard Auxiliary, United States Power Squadrons, local Sheriff's departments and the New York State Office of Parks and Recreation.
Course completion and the issuance of the NYS Boating Safety Certificate requires the student to take a proctored final written examination. The Certificate is issued if the student achieves a satisfactory passing grade. This certificate must be carried whenever the bearer is operating a boat, including a PWC, for which such certification is required.
Photo: Courtesy of BRP (Sea-Doo is a registered
trademark of Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.)
For more information, contact the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation Bureau of Marine, Recreational Vehicles at (518) 474-0445 or email your inquiry to Flotilla 4-2 of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, here in Rochester (click) Larry O'Heron
A Few Words to Parents -- PLEASE READ !!
***Please note: NYS law permits children over the age of 14 to operate PWC's and motor vessels (other than PWC's) at age 10 if they hold the NYS Safe Boating Certficate. However, children must pass the same multiple-choice examination as adults and the material may be too difficult for some youngsters to master. To avoid disappointment, we suggest that parents review the material and make a realistic evaluation off their children's ability to comprehend the material and pass the test. Sample examination questions are included in the ABC book to help you make that decision. Beyond that, and ultimately much more important, motor boats and especially PWC's ("Jet Skis") are potentially dangerous and numerous injuries and fatalities occur each year. Being "legal" is not the same as being "safe" and being "old enough" is not always being "wise enough." In many ways, power vessels have risks similar to driving a car, motorcycle, ATV or snowmobile and we urge you to keep that in mind.