New York State lawmakers have passed a new bill for 2020, called Brianna’s Law, that requires all motorized boat operators to have a safe boating education certificate.
The bill is named for Brianna Lieneck, an 11-year-old girl who was killed when a boat crashed into the family cruiser near Long Island in 2005. The crash also caused serious injuries to her entire family.
Current state education requirements are that all PWC/jet ski operators (minimum age 14 years old) must have taken a boating safety course, regardless of age.
In August 2019, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the bill that will gradually expand the state’s safety course mandate, requiring anyone operating a motorboat or jet ski in New York to complete an eight-hour boating safety course.
There is a five-year phase-in to allow boat operators adequate time to comply with this new requirement:
•In 2020, all motorboat operators born in 1993 or later must have a Boating Safety Certificate before they may legally operate a motorized vessel
•In 2022, those born on or after January 1, 1988 must have a Boating Safety Certificate
•In 2023, those born on or after January 1, 1983 must have a Boating Safety Certificate
•In 2024, those born on or after January 1, 1978 must have a Boating Safety Certificate
•In 2025, everyone, regardless of age, must have a Boating Safety Certificate
Taking a boating safety course and carrying a boating safety education card is now required, as noted above, when operating any motorized vessel over 10 hp. Although this level of mandatory education is new to New York, other states, such as Oregon, have had similar laws in place for over 20 years. Failure to comply in New York State could result in fines up to $250.
With about 450,000 registered boats statewide, every year roughly 20 people are killed in boating-related accidents on New York’s waterways. Often, boaters just don’t know the “rules of the road” or basic boating safety guidelines. The required eight-hour safety course is offered by the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, US Power Squadron, and other private providers. The course covers a variety of important subjects, such as: the different types of vessels and their required Federal and NYS safety equipment, registration requirements, “rules of the road” on open waters and potentially life-saving safety guidelines.
Fees for the course vary by provider, typically $30 to $75 per person. After completion of the safety course, a certificate and a wallet-sized education card will be issued. When selecting a safe boating course and provider, make sure the course is NASBLA (National Association of Safe Boating Law Administrators) approved. Only NASBLA approved certification wallet cards are recognized by law enforcement. For information about a US Coast Guard Auxiliary boating safety course offering in your area: www.safelyboating.org/
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