Boating Safety

There's no excuse not to wear a lifejacket on the water!

Every vessel including canoes, kayaks and row boats operated in NYS must have on board one USCG approved wearable life jacket for each person aboard.

Vessels 16 feet and greater in length except canoes and kayaks are required to have a USCG approved type IV throwable flotation aid

Who must wear a life jacket?

  • Children under the age of 12 aboard pleasure vessels less than 65 feet in length, canoes, kayaks or rowboats unless in a totally enclosed cabin

  • Everyone being towed (wakeboarding, water skiing, tubing, etc.)

  • Everyone aboard pleasure vessels less than 21 feet in length, including rowboats, canoes, and kayaks, while underway between November 1st and May 1st

  • Everyone aboard a PWC


Source: parks.ny.gov

Fire Extinguishers

Source: parks.ny.gov

BUI is just as deadly as drinking and driving!

Did you know:

  • A boat operator is likely to become impaired more quickly than a driver, drink for drink?

  • The penalties for BUI can include large fines, revocation of operator privileges and serious jail terms?

  • The use of alcohol is involved in about a third of all recreational boating fatalities?

Tips for Avoiding BUI

Boating, fishing and other water sports are fun in their own right. Alcohol can turn a great day on the water into the tragedy of a lifetime.

Consider these alternatives to using alcohol while afloat:

  • Take along a variety of cool drinks, such as sodas, water, iced tea, lemonade or non-alcoholic beer.

  • Bring plenty of food and snacks.

  • Wear clothes that will help keep you and your passengers cool.

  • Plan to limit your trip to a reasonable time to avoid fatigue. Remember that it's common to become tired more quickly on the water.

  • If you want to make alcohol part of your day's entertainment, plan to have a party ashore at the dock, in a picnic area, at a boating club, or in your backyard. Choose a location where you'll have time between the fun and getting back into your car or boat.

  • If you dock somewhere for lunch or dinner and drink alcohol with your meal, wait a reasonable time (estimated at a minimum of an hour per drink) before operating your boat.

  • Having no alcohol while aboard is the safest way to enjoy the water intoxicated passengers are also at risk of injury and falls overboard.

  • Spread the word on the dangers of BUI. Many recreational boaters forget that a boat is a vehicle - and that safe operation is a legal and personal responsibility.


Source: USCGboating.org

Who needs a boating safety certificate?

Motorboats

Under a new law, known as Brianna's Law, all motor boat operators:

  • Born on or after Jan. 1, 1993 will need a boating safety certificate beginning in 2020.

  • Born on or after Jan. 1, 1988 will need a boating safety certificate beginning in 2022.

  • Born on or after Jan. 1, 1983 will need a boating safety certificate beginning in 2023.

  • Born on or after Jan. 1, 1978 will need a boating safety certificate beginning in 2024.

  • All motor boat operators regardless of age will need a boating safety certificate beginning in 2025.

Personal Watercraft

Anyone operating a Personal Watercraft (JetSki™, Wave Runner™, etc.) must have a boating safety certificate, and be at least 14 years of age or older.

Classes can be found at: https://parks.ny.gov/recreation/boating/education.aspx


Source: parks.ny.gov