The
New York Safe Boating Course
A
safety certificate may be obtained by completing the New York
Safe Boating Course, sponsored by the Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic
Preservation. The course is designed as a comprehensive boating
course, teaching the fundamentals of safe boating operation.
Approved by the National Association of Boating Law Administrators,
the course requires a minimum of eight hours of classroom instruction,
and includes the following topics:
- Accidents & Emergencies
- Boat
Operation
- Boating
Related Activities
- Boats & Motors
- Equipment
- Fueling & Ventilation
- Marine
Environment
- Navigation
- Numbering & Registration
- Personal
Watercraft
- Rules
of the Road
- Safe
Loading & Powering
Volunteer
instructors throughout the state teach the course free of
charge. Other providers may teach the New York Safe Boating
Course for a fee. You should always check while registering
for a course if there is a fee involved. If you complete
a course of less than eight (8) hours, you may not be eligible
for a safety certificate. Please contact this office at (518)474-0445
if that occurs.
Legal
Requirements - Persons Required to Complete a
Safety Course
You must hold a safety certificate if:
You
operate a personal watercraft and are at least 14 years of
age. Until 2009 operators age 10-13 can still operate with
restrictions. Click on Navigation Law updates for complete
information.
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 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.
Alternate Certification
A boating safety certificate may also be obtained through the U.S. Coast
Guard Auxiliary or U.S. Power Squadron. For information on where to take
their courses, please call 1-800-336-BOAT.
A
safety certificate issued to a resident of another state
or country is acceptable provided the certificate is carried
while operating in New York State. Please note the certificate
must be issued by the state or country of residence, and
should be NASBLA approved.
Instructor
Certification
New instructors are needed to teach the New York Safe Boating course to youths
and adults. New York State Parks & Recreation will provide the textbooks,
lesson plans and audio-visual materials, if you are willing to volunteer
your expertise and time. To become a State certified instructor you must:
Be
at least 18 years of age
Not have any convictions or pending charges relating to certain offenses.
Successfully complete an approved boating safety course.
Be able to demonstrate an ability to instruct by currently holding a NYS
Teachers Certificate, teach.
Other professional courses, or assist in the instruction of other state certified
courses.
For
more information, or to begin the certification process,
please call (518) 474-0445
More
Information
