Clarification on NJ boating regulations...

[bulletbob]

I just got off the phone with the NJ State Marine Police.. I was under the impression that I could not legally operate a boat in NJ because I had not taken the boaters safety course, Asked here at NJF about it, and the general consensus was that I would not be in compliance, and was risking a ticket.. It just did not seem to make sense to me that a tourist state like NJ would not allow people from out of state to operate a boat in NJ, and take their considerable recreational expenditures elsewhere.

The officer told me that was false, and that you are bound by the laws of the state you live in. Since NY has no boaters safety course [as of now, only personal watercraft, SeaDoos, etc, and only for those born after 5/1/96], they told me I was fine, and added, especially if you are in tidal waters.. So, NY residents are welcome to use their boat in NJ, as long as it goes home with you. I think if its docked in NJ you would have to get the NJ certificate, thats what the officer seemed to imply.. So,NJ wants my money after all!... Hopefully see you guys out on Raritan/Sandy Hook bay this friday.. No more packed head boats for me for a while...

btw, the officer I spoke to was very helpful and courteous, and set my mind at ease quickly,, I was very appreciative...... bob

[shrimpman steve]

Enjoy our fine waters:)

[bulletbob]

Enjoy our fine waters:)

They used to be my fine waters as well.. Used to live in Union Beach a block from the bay:(... Had unbelievable fishing in those days.. Except for stripers which were hard to find during during those years... bob

[hofnodinstructor]

Do yourself a favor and send a letter to the Marine Police. When you get the reply carry it with you. My experience with State employees has been less than stellar. Word of mouth never trumps the written law.

[bulletbob]

Do yourself a favor and send a letter to the Marine Police. When you get the reply carry it with you. My experience with State employees has been less than stellar. Word of mouth never trumps the written law.

I see where you are coming from... However, I was just at the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission website and got this information, C&P'd below which even many longtime boat owners didn't seem to know... The boater safety certificate or " boaters license" is not required on tidal waters, only inland non tidal lakes and rivers.. I have been looking at this for a couple years, getting whatever advice I could, and it was mostly all wrong... You don't need the safety course in salt or tidal water, according to the officer I spoke with... bob

From NJ MVC website-
MVC issues motorboat and personal watercraft licenses for use on fresh, non-tidal waters or lakes, creeks or rivers not affected by tidal conditions. A boat license and New Jersey boat safety certificate is required to operate a power vessel or personal watercraft - jet ski or waverunner - on non-tidal waters of New Jersey. A boat license is not required for non-powered vessels.

[Watreiler]

I'm with shrimpy... Enjoy the water. On another note the boaters safety course isn't bad. You may find it useful... I did.

[bulletbob]

I'm with shrimpy... Enjoy the water. On another note the boaters safety course isn't bad. You may find it useful... I did.

Understood, but the safety course in NY state is geared toward young SeaDoo operators.. My son took it a few years ago. I have owned boats for over 40 years, and at this point in my 60's I am not sure it would make a difference.. I tend to be as safe as I possibly can be when operating a boat... bob

[Capt. Debbie]

You have 1/2 bad info. Frankly I am surprised the Marine Bureau Boating Education Unit answered the call at all. They frown upon any boater call ins and refer everyone back to the course providers or their website.

You must have your home state's NASBLA approved course or equivalent education even if less that 90 days usage in NJ .

As to out of state visitor boaters of less that 90 days . . . SEE NJAC 12:7-61. Section 4b iii "a boat safety certificate issued by the state or country in which the person resides"

I am licensed and teach both NY and NJ. You can take the whole NY NASBLA approved course on line including the exam which NJ prohibits. NY added that in May 2015. Either BoaterExam.com or Boatcourse.com.

And yes it is true that NY is much more PWC hostile than NJ. Geez in NY a course graduate 10 year old can run unlimited horsepower power boat but not a PWC. THAT MAKES NO SENSE.






I just got off the phone with the NJ State Marine Police.. I was under the impression that I could not legally operate a boat in NJ because I had not taken the boaters safety course, Asked here at NJF about it, and the general consensus was that I would not be in compliance, and was risking a ticket.. It just did not seem to make sense to me that a tourist state like NJ would not allow people from out of state to operate a boat in NJ, and take their considerable recreational expenditures elsewhere.

The officer told me that was false, and that you are bound by the laws of the state you live in. Since NY has no boaters safety course [as of now, only personal watercraft, SeaDoos, etc, and only for those born after 5/1/96], they told me I was fine, and added, especially if you are in tidal waters.. So, NY residents are welcome to use their boat in NJ, as long as it goes home with you. I think if its docked in NJ you would have to get the NJ certificate, thats what the officer seemed to imply.. So,NJ wants my money after all!... Hopefully see you guys out on Raritan/Sandy Hook bay this friday.. No more packed head boats for me for a while...

btw, the officer I spoke to was very helpful and courteous, and set my mind at ease quickly,, I was very appreciative...... bob

[bulletbob]

You have 1/2 bad info. Frankly I am surprised the Marine Bureau Boating Education Unit answered the call at all. They frown upon any boater call ins and refer everyone back to the course providers or their website.

You must have your home state's NASBLA approved course or equivalent education even if less that 90 days usage in NJ .

As to out of state visitor boaters of less that 90 days . . . SEE NJAC 12:7-61. Section 4b iii "a boat safety certificate issued by the state or country in which the person resides"

I am licensed and teach both NY and NJ. You can take the whole NY NASBLA approved course on line including the exam which NJ prohibits. NY added that in May 2015. Either BoaterExam.com or Boatcourse.com.

And yes it is true that NY is much more PWC hostile than NJ. Geez in NY a course graduate 10 year old can run unlimited horsepower power boat but not a PWC. THAT MAKES NO SENSE.

Capt Frank.. The NY course is not required at all unless you were born after May 1 , 1996. so I am fulfilling the requirements of my home state. its a personal watercraft course, not a boating course, unless something has changed drastically in the past few years. I am not required to have anything at all in my home state.. Also, I was told that the NJ boaters "license" was NOT needed in tidal waters, only inland non tidal waters, including creeks and rivers.. This comes straight from the NJ Marine Police.. Now I am more confused than ever... bob

[bulletbob]

Just went to this NJ. gov website...http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/pdf/boat_resource_guide.pdf

It states right in black and white with big arrows pointing to it that the "boating license", is NOT needed in tidal waters at all.. Only non tidal waters,,,
Perhaps NJ is vague about this on purpose so that thousands of salt water anglers with boats will go pay for something that is NOT required... Not sure of anything on this subject anymore, but we will find out what happens if I get boarded I guess... bob

[Rick-D]

You sure you don't have them backwards?:confused:

[shrimpman steve]

The "New Jersey license" may be referring to the boat endorsement on your drivers license. I know in nj you must have a boater endorsement on drivers license for non tidal. This may be where the confusion is.

[Capt. Debbie]

The NJ law is a Boating Safety course from your home state or elsewhere. Not you comply with the law from your home state. That's the mis read

Capt Frank.. The NY course is not required at all unless you were born after May 1 , 1996. so I am fulfilling the requirements of my home state. its a personal watercraft course, not a boating course, unless something has changed drastically in the past few years. I am not required to have anything at all in my home state.. Also, I was told that the NJ boaters "license" was NOT needed in tidal waters, only inland non tidal waters, including creeks and rivers.. This comes straight from the NJ Marine Police.. Now I am more confused than ever... bob

[Capt. Debbie]

The State Police course is a Boating Safety CERTIFICATE . Not a license. That's the crap endorse later ( if you need it at all).



Just went to this NJ. gov website...http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/pdf/boat_resource_guide.pdf

It states right in black and white with big arrows pointing to it that the "boating license", is NOT needed in tidal waters at all.. Only non tidal waters,,,
Perhaps NJ is vague about this on purpose so that thousands of salt water anglers with boats will go pay for something that is NOT required... Not sure of anything on this subject anymore, but we will find out what happens if I get boarded I guess... bob

[bulletbob]

The "New Jersey license" may be referring to the boat endorsement on your drivers license. I know in nj you must have a boater endorsement on drivers license for non tidal. This may be where the confusion is.

You are correct Steve, as is Capt. Frank.. Seems the officer I spoke with doesn't know his ass from a stove pipe.

back to square one I guess.. Since I will be on tidal water only and I don't need a "license" I will ask specifically ask if I need a certificate, as I don't need one in NY because we don't have one,, It simply doesn't make sense that NJ would not allow out of state boaters to use their boats[and money] there, but who knows???... bob

[Charlie B]

The boat licence and the safety certificate are two different things. The boat licence is only needed in NJ to run a power boat on non tidal waters. The safety certificate is needed to run a power boat in all NJ waters. For out of state boaters if you have a certificate from your home state that meets certain requirements you can use that for a certain amount of time in NJ. I don't know for sure but there may be some exceptions to the rules like for rental boats but for the most part in NJ you need the certificate for all waters. And in non tidal waters you also need the boat licence which is an endorsement on your regular drivers licence. Which by the way you cannot get without the safety certificate...Charlie

[Capt. Debbie]

Spot on!

NJ wants to see you have some kind of training from somewhere. NASBLA is the country wide standard for content approval.

Even Livery boats are supposed to give training if you have no Certificate whether NJ or NY or not rent to you. Yea I know no one does that YET. They will soon.


NJ had enough clueless idiots on the water with Certificates. NJ it does not needless clueless out of staters adding to our home grown reckless boaters.

Visitors need a Certificate - stay more than 9 days and you need an NJ Boater Safety Certificate.

The boat licence and the safety certificate are two different things. The boat licence is only needed in NJ to run a power boat on non tidal waters. The safety certificate is needed to run a power boat in all NJ waters. For out of state boaters if you have a certificate from your home state that meets certain requirements you can use that for a certain amount of time in NJ. I don't know for sure but there may be some exceptions to the rules like for rental boats but for the most part in NJ you need the certificate for all waters. And in non tidal waters you also need the boat licence which is an endorsement on your regular drivers licence. Which by the way you cannot get without the safety certificate...Charlie

[bulletbob]

So bottom line, In my state NY, the legal requirement has been met simply by my age.. I have no need to carry a certificate in Sandy Hook, Raritan Bay or along the entire coastline of NJ if I launch out of Great Kills, or anywhere along the NY/LI coastline.. I am 100% in compliance unless I launch at Leonardo or AH in NJ, and then I instantly become a criminal I guess... According to the officer I spoke with at the Carteret State Marine Police office I am fine using a boat as a visitor to NJ as I have met the requirements in my own state.. Someone somewhere must have a definitive answer to this question.. I was convinced I was ok by the NJ State Marine Police.. Now I am no longer sure... I was told by this officer that visitors with boats were welcome to boat in NJ as long as they met the requirements of their home state.
It makes no sense that NJ would not allow visitors with boats to use the water resources of NJ... I'll look into this further before bringing my boats down ... bob

[Charlie B]

I don't think it matters where you launch the boat. If you are in NJ waters you are under NJ laws. Now your chances of being boarded are kind of slim and even if you are so long as every thing else is in order they may let you slide. Do you want to take the chance? It's up to you...Charlie

[Capt. Debbie]

Hopefully this trooper is the one who boards you. LOL Perhaps we can test this theory of law... when you going out next in NJ and what's the boat registration? LMAO

Or maybe just go to the NJSP Marine Bureau website and see what it says...

What State Police Marine Bureau Barracks in Cartaret? The Sea Bright NJSP marine bureau guys come out of Newark Bay.




So bottom line, In my state NY, the legal requirement has been met simply by my age.. I have no need to carry a certificate in Sandy Hook, Raritan Bay or along the entire coastline of NJ if I launch out of Great Kills, or anywhere along the NY/LI coastline.. I am 100% in compliance unless I launch at Leonardo or AH in NJ, and then I instantly become a criminal I guess... According to the officer I spoke with at the Carteret State Marine Police office I am fine using a boat as a visitor to NJ as I have met the requirements in my own state.. Someone somewhere must have a definitive answer to this question.. I was convinced I was ok by the NJ State Marine Police.. Now I am no longer sure... I was told by this officer that visitors with boats were welcome to boat in NJ as long as they met the requirements of their home state.
It makes no sense that NJ would not allow visitors with boats to use the water resources of NJ... I'll look into this further before bringing my boats down ... bob

[bulletbob]

Spoke to the NJSMP again today.. .. Kind of ambiguous answers, but the officer was as helpful as he could be, and I talked to him at length .. He said that out of state boaters are allowed to use NJ waters and would "most likely" be ok, "if it were a "one time thing", but they really want everyone to show a certification from their home state, even if their home state doesn't require it like NY.
Basically said if your state doesn't require it, get a certificate from a state that does if you want to be on the safe side.
From what I gather, they probably won't ticket a non resident on vacation or something, but he said something to this effect..
"If you fish here once and enjoy it, you will probably want to do it again"..
Thats where the problem lies..

He said If I took the NY test NJ would honor it, so I guess thats what I will have to do, because if ever boarded I MIGHT get a nice understanding marine cop that lets me go on my way suggesting I get a certificate, but I might also get a prick that wants to show me I am not welcome in NJ waters without certification... whatever... bob

[Capt. Debbie]

Bob,

You know, unlike NJ, NY allows you to take the entire NYS course and exam online. It's only 76% to pass versus NJ's 80%. And NY allows infinite re-testing, while Jersey only allows 2 shots.

Can you give NYS Boater Safety Course Internet course Provider recommendations if you'd like?



Spoke to the NJSMP again today.. .. Kind of ambiguous answers, but the officer was as helpful as he could be, and I talked to him at length .. He said that out of state boaters are allowed to use NJ waters and would "most likely" be ok, "if it were a "one time thing", but they really want everyone to show a certification from their home state, even if their home state doesn't require it like NY.
Basically said if your state doesn't require it, get a certificate from a state that does if you want to be on the safe side.
From what I gather, they probably won't ticket a non resident on vacation or something, but he said something to this effect..
"If you fish here once and enjoy it, you will probably want to do it again"..
Thats where the problem lies..

He said If I took the NY test NJ would honor it, so I guess thats what I will have to do, because if ever boarded I MIGHT get a nice understanding marine cop that lets me go on my way suggesting I get a certificate, but I might also get a prick that wants to show me I am not welcome in NJ waters without certification... whatever... bob