Required Safety Course

[Pmt133]

I want to know where you're at. I'd argue where I'm at in NJ it's the worst I've ever seen it in a long time. It's to the point where june-august I will not use either boats or the waverunner on a weekend unless it's particularly nice out because I don't want to deal with the idiots....

For example... waverunners running through point pleasant canal at full speed as well as most other vessels. Blatant disregard for any posted slow no wake zones. People coming up on top of me to the point where I can touch their vessels from the helm. (I dont care that you're overtaking me... but the channel is a few hundred feet wide, no reason to buzz me when I'm intentionally staying on the outside edge to stay away from the chaos.) That feels intentional too... like my d!ck is bigger because i got this new expensive bigger faster boat... I'm watching people dump their holding tanks in the bay too... it has been horrible honestly.

 

[Chris1956]

I am 3 miles south of Toms River. The PP canal has always been an issue with the current and no wake restrictions, but here on the open bay, there is a lot more room to move.

 

[Pmt133]

I boat out of toms river. Thats actually interesting my perspective on it is that much different.

Edit: we were up on the metedeconk until 2017. I typically find the north run more relaxing. Bay always seems worse further south I go.

 

[airshot]

Just because they completed a course and have papers, does not mean they learned anything !

 

[Thomas_U]

Gentlemen: Thank you all for your valuable input. I will assume that my Florida Card will be valid in New York State. It has "NASBLA" stamped on the back. Most of the time I am running my FL-registered Yamaha jetboat, so there should not be any problem if I am stopped, they will think I am a tourist. However, once and a while I take the old woodie out for a short cruise. That boat is registered in NYS. If stopped, I'll just play dumb and tell them that my buddy told me it would be accepted.
Tom U.

 

[Scott06]

I have a question. Probably most states now have requirement to take a Boating Safety Education Course. Some of us may keep a second boat in another state for use on vacations, etc. For example, my residence is in Florida, and I have a FL Registered boat here. But I also have a summer camp in upstate New York and keep another boat there which is registered in NYS. A few years ago I went to the local FL Power Squadron and took the Safety Course and received a Florida Boating Safety Education Card.
Now I read in the NY newspaper that, effective last month, all powerboat operators, regardless of age, must take an 8-hour safety course and receive a New York certification. Violators will be subject to a hefty fine.
My question is: whether each state will grant reciprocity to another state's boating certificate?
I have unsuccessfully attempted to contact Boat/US (of which I am a member) on several occasions, so I decided to check with the learned IBoat Forum members.
Thanks,
Tom U.

I’m in same boat family has a place in upstate NY but we live in PA. Somewhere on the NYS website it said that an out of state license was acceptable if you were a resident of that state . I think I had my kids do the boat US site.

Boating Frequently Asked Questions - NYS Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation

Facts about boating education courses.

parks.ny.gov

I’m sure with the change in law this year they will be checking like crazy. To the credit of the local law enforcement over the years have only seen them hassle boats doing obviously stupid stuff

 

[motley crew]

If your residency is Florida, then as far as NY State is concerned you are from out of state. The law in NYS says that the boater safety certificate is not required for out of state boaters. It does not address boat ownership, only residency

if you are an expieranced boater it kinda sucks but i would be willing to bet nys will be asking for your card at least this summer i am 63 years old and have been boating since i was twenty kinda jerked me because when this came out around 5 years ago the way the law read was my age was grandfathered in in the past year it has changed to everyone i just got done taking it online it actually was a good refesher for me but three chapters of it were on pwc which i will never own and its 60 dol so welcpme to money grabbing ny if they can find a way to get a dollar out of you they will

 

[briangcc]

Just went through the NY class. NY will honor (reciprocal) a FL card as long as you are in state less than 90 days. That covers the snowbirds for the most part.

As this is the first year where a boaters safety cert is required, our instructor mentioned to be prepared to be stopped and asked for the card. His suggestion....when we have the permanent card, punch a hole in it and attach it to our life jacket so it is readily available.

For NY...you can ADD it to your drivers license. Believe the cost is $12.50 once you have your permanent card...same goes for any lifetime sportsman (hunt or fish or both) licenses.

 

[1985 Century Mustang]

Airshot, Here in NJ, we do not get a discount (that I am aware of) for the boating safety course. However, I have seen a large difference in behavior after the boating safety course was mandated, especially in wave runner riders. Most people now drive their boats and wave runners fairly safely, which is a big change.

As an example, before the safety course was mandated, I was cruising down the creek in my 18 footer. Ahead of me was an 18-19 foot boat and a wave runner. I thought to myself, what are the odds the boat will turn across my line of travel, w/o looking? I thought it low. I then thought what are the odds that the wave runner will turn across my line of travel, w/o looking? I thought it a virtual certainty, which is exactly what happened.

Those days are mercifully gone, at least here in NJ.

It may be related, but we do not have many rental wave runners in our area.

That's great news. Many jet Skiers act like clowns out there.

 

[cyclops222]

As of January 1 2025 EVERYONE operating a motorized boat in N Y state MUST have a Safety Course that is from another state or a federal safety course.............. EXCEPT If you are driving a rental boat. No course card is required.
EDit.........If you sign up for a course this summer ? You can get a WRITTEN receipt from who will give you the course & WHEN. It is then a legal document to allow you to drive boats in N Y.