What?? A boaters permit for New yorkers?

Question

Being a big time boater, my brother told me the other day that new yorkers had to have a boaters permit to drive on the water..... Is this true? Im taking my boat out tomorrow either way... I dont care about it...hehe

Answer 1

You must hold a safety certificate if:

You operate a personal watercraft and are at least 14 years of age. Until 2009 operators age 10-13 can still operate with restrictions. Click on Navigation Law updates for complete information.

You wish to operate a motorboat (other than a personal watercraft) and you are at least 10 years old and less than 18 years old.

If you are less than 10 years old you may operate a motorboat (non-PWC) only if someone over 18 or someone between the ages of 10 and 18 who holds a safety certificate, is on board with you. Anyone may operate a personal watercraft if someone at least 18 years old is riding on the craft and they hold a safety certificate.

Answer 2

Between 10 and 18 years of age:

You may legally operate a boat only if you have passed a boating safety course approved by the New York State Office

of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and have onboard your boating safety certificate or you are accompanied onboard by a person 18 years of age or older.

18 years of age or older you may legally operate any recreational boat alone without restrictions.