Originally Posted by sharkeymarine

MANASQUAN, N.J. – With the ending of the 211th Legislature, the passage of boater education legislation places New Jersey’s education law amongst the strongest in the nation, according to the Marine Trades Association of New Jersey (MTA/NJ), which said Assembly Bill 2624 (Smith) was a major priority for the association.

The new boater education and safety law applies to all people age 16 years and older who operate registered vessels above 12 feet that are defined as power vessels under the law. It becomes effective over a staggered period of time. Specifically, 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 take the course before June 1, 2009, according to the association.

This bill states that “out of state" boaters 18 years of age and older who operate a power vessel for less than 90 days in New Jersey are exempt from the safety course if they can show proof of similar education from NASBLA, the Coast Guard or other state.

At the request of legislators and others who are long time boaters, language was added to the law that allows the Superintendent of State 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 is required to be developed using national standards, MTA/NJ reported.

The association said it was successful in defining what the boat safety course would look like. The boat safety course must be at least eight hours of instruction, including six hours of classroom time and a closed book examination. This definition, and the definition in the law for “approved boat safety instructor," are identical to NASBLA national standards.

The personal watercraft law was also updated in this Act. Specifically, the law regarding the operation of a PWC was changed to require all persons, age 16 years and older, to take a boat safety course without exception. This does not apply to persons renting a PWC, however, and that law remains in effect. In addition, the bill does not apply to persons renting a boat. The rental laws require only that a person receive safety instruction from the rental company prior to use and these laws and regulations have been in effect since 1997, according to the association.

“We believe that an informed boater – one who has completed a standardized boating safety class-– is much more likely to be a safe and courteous boater," stated MTA/NJ President Tom Leaming. “An educated boater will be prepared to follow the Rules of the Road making our waterways safer and more enjoyable for everyone."

The legislation was passed after a more than three-year effort by the Marine Trades Association of New Jersey. The MTA/NJ argued successfully that a strong standard, based on national review and research, would improve boating safety in New Jersey.

Unfortunately the change I was pushing for in this legislation was that it be applied to "ALL" boaters no matter their age or vessel.
Once again the sail boaters had a stronger voice and were able to keep many of themselves exempt. :mad:
I see trips to Trenton in my future..... :rolleyes:

What's good for one is good for all!!!

Originally Posted by Smarty

I wonder if the courses that the US Coast Guard Auxiliary has at the local community colleges and night schools will be sufficient/approved for this law? Or does it have to be by the State Police, and or authorized by the NJ State Police? I am scheduled to take a safe boating course, and will give the NJDMV my course certificate upon completion with the expectation that I will get the recreational boater endorsement to my drivers license. I that a realistic expectation?

Originally Posted by rainmn

Is this the same course we had to take to be legal on a PWC?

Originally Posted by sharkeymarine

Contact the NJ Marine Trades Association. They may be able to help or the NJ Marine State Police.

Marine Trades Link

NJ Marine State Police

The certificate information has not been updated yet on the Police Site.

Originally Posted by sharkeymarine

Contact the NJ Marine Trades Association. They may be able to help or the NJ Marine State Police.

Marine Trades Link

NJ Marine State Police

The certificate information has not been updated yet on the Police Site.

Originally Posted by Panther

Yeah, it hasn't been updated since 1996! :eek:

Originally Posted by HiPerf2000

What does this mean for the people who boat on the deleware river? Does it only apply for NJ registered boats??

I took a CG course when i was 13 and had my first boat. I had to carry it with me at all times.....but who knows where that is now.