On January 1, 2020 the Brianna’s law went into effect. It requires that, according to your date of birth, anyone operating a motorboat eventually must hold a New York State-approved boating safety certificate. For now, if you were born on or after January 1, 1978, you need a boating safety certificate when operating a motorized vessel. You need to complete an approved boating safety course to get your boating safety certificate.
All operators of motorized vessels, regardless of age, will need a boating safety certificate by January 1, 2025.
All power-driven vessels (whether or not the motor is the primary source of propulsion) that operate in New York state waters must be registered with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and display validation decals. Boat registration is valid for three years, starting the month of registration.
You will need to follow these steps:
To operate a motorboat, you must be at least 10 years of age.
It is illegal for anyone under the age of 14 to operate a personal watercraft (PWC).
Pleasure vessels (powered and non-powered) may only be operated in or on New York state waters if the vessel is carrying at least one US Coast Guard-approved wearable personal flotation device (PFD)—often called a “life jacket”—in good condition that is readily available, approved for the appropriate activity, and of the correct size for every person aboard.
In New York, it is unlawful to operate a vessel (including PWC) or use water skis or a similar device while under the influence of alcohol or another impairing substance.
New York law defines boating under the influence (BUI) as operating a vessel or manipulating water skis or a similar device while having a blood alcohol level of 0.08% or greater, or if the operator is rendered incapable of safely operating the vessel due to having consumed impairing substances.
In the case of an accident, it is the vessel operator’s duty to immediately stop their vessel and give assistance anyone involved or injured in the accident to the extent that they are able without endangering their own vessel or passengers.
The vessel’s operator must supply his/her name, address, and vessel registration information (including the name and address of the vessel’s owner, if not the operator) to anyone injured in the accident as well as to the owner of any property damaged in the accident.
It is illegal to discharge sewage into any of New York’s land locked-lakes that are completely within state borders as well as into any designated No Discharge Zones.
The No Discharge Zones in New York State are: Hempstead Harbor, Hudson River, water intake zones, Hudson River Estuary, Huntington-Northport Bay Complex, Jamaica Bay, Lake Champlain, Lake Erie, Lake George, Lake Ontario, Long Island Sound, Mamaroneck Harbor, New York State Canal System, Oyster Bay/Cold Spring Harbor, Peconic Estuary, Peconic Waters, East Hampton, Port Jefferson, Seneca and Cayuga Lakes, South Shore Estuary Reserve
Vessels with a marine toilet (or any equipment resulting in the drainage of waste water) must be fitted with an approved (Type III marine sanitation device) holding tank that may only be emptied at approved sanitation (marine pumpout) facilities.
Introducing non-native species into state or federally controlled waters can upset the ecosystem and hurt the environment by clogging waterways and crowding out native species.
Invasive quagga and zebra mussels are a particular problem as they reproduce rapidly and destroy fisheries, pollute the beaches and shoreline, and cause damage to boats and equipment.
Reasonable precautions must be taken to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. A number of New York counties, towns and villages prohibit aquatic invasive species (for example, on vessels, trailers or equipment).
You can help prevent the introduction and spread of non-native species from one body of water to another by thoroughly checking, draining, cleaning and drying your boat and trailer.
New York State Park Police, and other authorized law enforcement officers may enforce New York boating laws and regulations. U.S. Coast Guard officers and officers of other federal agencies also have enforcement authority on interstate waters.
Vessel speed is generally* limited to 5 mph within 100 feet of:
*The 5mph limit extends to 200 feet on some bodies of water.
A number of bodies of water impose 45 mph daytime and 25 mph nighttime speed limits. Check the regulations for where you plan to go boating with local authorities.
There must be a person, other than the operator, on board who is at least 10 years old and who continually observes the person being towed.
The towing vessel must have a capacity rating at least equal to the number of people operating, observing, and being towed.
Towing people on water skis or similar devices is only permitted from sunrise to sunset.
All powered vessels—including PWCs—must carry a sound-producing device, such as a horn or whistle, capable of a two-second blast that is audible for at least half a mile.
A mouth whistle is sufficient for vessels less than 39 feet in length.
Vessels that are at least 40 feet in length must carry a bell.
All vessels must carry at least one Type B fire extinguisher, except:
Power vessels must be equipped with a functioning and effective muffler system in order to reduce the engine exhaust sound level. Muffler cutouts are prohibited.
Motorboats must not exceed noise levels of 90 decibels during a stationary test, or 75 decibels if tested while moving.
