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Boating Safety Courses

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One of the major functions of the Coast Guard Auxiliary is to educate the boating public in the safe operation of watercraft. This is accomplished through our Public Education mission in which classes approved by the Coast Guard on boating safety topics are taught by trained auxiliarists.

• America's Boating Course is an 8 hour program. This is a vital course for any boater that covers boat handling, trailering, navigation rules, VHF radio, and safe boating practices. Successful completion of this course satisfies NYS education requirements for Personal Watercraft (jet ski) operation and may qualify for boating insurance discounts.
  
  There is no age limit to take this course. The student should be old enough to comprehend the materials, be comfortable in a classroom environment for several hours and be able to take the exam.

NYS Parks, Recreation & Historical Preservation

You must hold a safety certificate if:

• You operate a personal watercraft, regardless of your age, in New York State.
• You wish to operate a motorboat (including personal watercraft) and you are at least 10 years old and less than 18 years old.
• If you are less than 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.

Personal Watercraft - Minimum Age of Operation

On July 28, 2005 Governor Pataki signed a law amending Section 49, Subdivision 1-a of the Navigation Law raising the minimum age of operators of personal watercraft (PWC) to fourteen (14). This new law took effect January 1, 2006.

However, in order to minimize the impact on riders currently under the age of fourteen (14) certain allowances have been made to phase in this new law.

Until January 1, 2009, those operators age ten (10) through thirteen (13) that have a boating safety certificate may continue to operate a PWC if they are accompanied by:

• someone over 18 years of age and
• within 500 feet on another personal watercraft or vessel and
• within sight of the personal watercraft and
• holding a safety certificate of their own.

Neither did this group!

A Boating Safety Certificate is a certificate issued by the Commissioner, the United States Power Squadron, United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, or in the case of a non-resident his/her home state or country, as a result of completing a boating safety course.

This law only affects the operation of PWC's. Anyone over the age of ten (10) who holds a boating safety certificate can still operate a motor boat alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take an on-line safety course?
No. Only certificates issued by New York State, the USCG Auxiliary or the US Power Squadron are acceptable. State law requires that the New York Safe Boating Program includes at least eight hours of classroom instruction, and a proctored exam. Any certificate issued by the Coast Guard Auxiliary or Power Squadron is acceptable.

What will happen if I do not have a boating safety certificate?
If convicted of a first violation you can be fined not less than $25 or no more than $100, or by imprisonment for not more than seven days, or by both fine and imprisonment. For a second conviction, fines and imprisonment terms increase.