NJ Boating/fishing regulations question - NJFishing.com Your Best Online Source for Fishing Information in New Jersey

bulletbob · #1 01-27-2016, 12:15 PM

Here in NY we have no "safe boaters course" or certificates that go along with the course.. We have it for personal watercraft only here, not motor vessels.
Now, I have rented motor boats in NJ for fluke fishing, and was never asked for any certificates... So if I trailer one of my own boats down this summer, and am stopped by the CG or NJ marine Police, am I in trouble??.. I could I suppose launch out of Great Kills, and avoid this problem, but I prefer launching in Leonardo.. I can't come down to NJ to get some sort of certificate just to take my my little boat out once or twice a year.. To me, it doesn't make sense that I would not be welcome to spend my money on the NJ side of the bay, but its fine on the NY side...

Also, I realize we can not fillet fluke on the water, but does the same apply to unregulated species like sea robins??.. If I want to keep lets say 5 or 6 big sea robins, do they have to stay intact, or can I keep 1 carcass just to show what they are???.. I know these are dumb questions, but I also know that on any given day, hundreds of boats in NJ are boarded, and I just don't need any hassles about keep a sea robin whole or producing a certificate that was never asked for while renting a motorized vessel in NJ.. any pertinent info would be appreciated... bob

Gerry Zagorski · #2 01-27-2016, 01:29 PM

In NJ you must have a safe boaters certificate to operate a boat or personal water craft.

I think rental companies have a way around this but not sure what it is.

As far a filleting fish, don't think any CO is going to give you a ticket for filleting sea robins at sea but they likely would for an undersized Fluke since they are highly regulated.

Walleyed · #3 01-27-2016, 01:30 PM

Can't answer the boat question....I suggest calling the NJ State Police and get their answer.

As far as filleting on the water, here's what the 2015 regs say:

The filleting at sea of all fish with a size limit, or any species of flatfish, is prohibited except for summer flounder; see Summer Flounder, page 12. No parts of any fish caught on a previous fishing trip shall be in possession.

Here's what it said about Fluke:

Anglers may fillet one legal-sized summer flounder from their daily possession limit catch for use as bait. This carcass, commonly known as the rack, shall be kept intact so it can be measured for compliance with the minimum size limit. No parts of any summer flounder caught on a previous fishing trip shall be in possession; only fish just caught on this outing.

bulletbob · #4 01-27-2016, 06:04 PM

About what I figured.. I will simply launch at Great Kills.. Connecticut also has no " safety course" requirements..
I have not towed any of my boats down to NJ in several years and things have changed. I will simply fish out of SI and out towards the Verrazano more.. I don't know that area well, usually caught plenty of fish on the Sandy Hook side, but I hear its good for fluke blues and bass over there.. I'll figure it out..
Good bottom fishing in the LI Sound off Westport CT, as well for Porgies, Sea Bass, Fluke Blues, Stripers... Again I don't know the area, but I'll figure it out, and its the same distance from me as AH is... Oh well, I guess NJ doesn't want "tourist dollars" from out of state boaters... I'll still go out on the NJ head boats.. They are the best in the business... bob

Duffman · #5 01-27-2016, 07:14 PM

Doesnt make any sense.

........So if your coming to Jersey for a vacation and towing your rig... you cant legally use it unless you pass the NJ safety course?

No way. Something aint right. Am I missing something? Which I usually do!

Walleyed · #6 01-27-2016, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duffman

Doesnt make any sense.

........So if your coming to Jersey for a vacation and towing your rig... you cant legally use it unless you pass the NJ safety course?

No way. Something aint right. Am I missing something? Which I usually do!

Which is why I suggested that Bob call the State Police, since they are the issuers of the safe boating card.

shrimpman steve · #7 01-27-2016, 07:51 PM

From the New Jersey law:

Out-of-state residents who are at least 16 years old and in New Jersey for less than 90 days may operate a power ves- sel on the waters of the State of New Jersey if they possess a certificate issued by their state of residence or they have in their possession written proof of successful completion of a boat safety course approved by another state, the U.S. Coast Guard, or the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA).

bulletbob · #8 01-27-2016, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walleye Wisherman

Which is why I suggested that Bob call the State Police, since they are the issuers of the safe boating card.

I went to the NJ State Police Marine site and this issue was addressed.. Yes you must pass a NJ course, OR one from another state which has reciprocity with NJ.. NY does not have this course...We have a mandatory course for personal water craft only for those born before 1996.. I doubt the NJ state police would accept that..

So to get the NJ boating course card, I would have to take the test in NJ.. There is NO provision to take the test online, you must take it in person.. Its not worth it.. I'll launch from Great Kills when fishing Raritan Bay, and start to learn the Connecticut shore of LI Sound.. Both destinations are about the same distance as AH from me.. Some good bottom fishing in Ct at times off of Norwalk.. I have some time to research it . I am retiring in June and was hoping on trailering my own boats to NJ every few weeks, now that time will be less of a factor.. We'll see, .. I have a lot of family still in NJ. and maybe I can get down there this summer for the test.. i will have to see whats involved.. What a pain in the ass.. NJ won't let out of state boaters on their waterways... Whatever,, I'll adjust... bob

Walleyed · #9 01-28-2016, 06:52 AM

This appears to be a free online course.

https://elearning.boatus.org/catalog...sp?id=35&cid=1

The BoatU.S. Foundation's Free Online Boating Safety Course is the only FREE course approved to satisfy the New York state mandatory education requirement for boaters born on or after 5/1/1996 as well as all PWC operators who are required to complete a NASBLA approved boating safety course.

After completing the course you will be awarded a temporary certificate that you can print free of charge but you will also need to purchase a permanent boating education card for $10 or apply for the the New York Adventure License as described below. Please allow 4-6 weeks from date of purchase to receive your permanent boating education card.

Capt. Debbie · #10 01-28-2016, 10:44 AM

I teach both NY and NJ Boater Safety courses.

Yes NY waters are more lax. You need NYS Boater Safety Course issued by NYS Parks Department for PWC's and if born after 1996. Meaning eventually everyone. NJ Boater Safety Certificate is fine in NYS waters. In NYS with a certificate you can run a PWC at age 14. Even more wild in NY, you can be 10 years old and run ANY sized boat. ANY SIZE.

In NJ water you need a Boater Safety Certificate from any State if your boat has an electric or gas/diesel motor in NJ waters. Min age is 13 for under 10hp, at 16 you can run PWC's and over 10hp boats

NJ Rental places are required by NJ State Police to give you a course if you have no card. Rental Livery must issue a certificate to the renter to take with him/her on the water and keep records of each one of those renter certificates for three years. Same- elector or gas motors.

There is a PWC rental place that requires no Boater Safety Certificate but you can NOT leave their roped off "play" area.

That's the rules. Any questions?

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