|
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.
|
|
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 Safety Course
ABC: America's Boating Course |
|
Q.
If someone has a commercial vessel operators permit 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 |
|
New Jersey State Police Information Pamphlet |
|
New Jersey Boating Safety Test-Out-Option |
|
Boating Safety Education Courses Contact Information |
|
NJ
Boating Safety Classes |
|
Phone: (609) 987-0555 or (866) SEA-CAPT (732-2278) |
|
Phone: (888)-FORUSPS (367-8777) |
|
Captain Brazill's Marine Services |
|
Boating Safety Laws in other States |
|
