Suffolk County requires all boaters to take a mandatory boating safety course in order to operate a boat legally

John L

John L

Well-known member
Last year on Long Island we had more than the usual number of boating accidents claiming the lives of several innocent victims.
The county has finally decided enough is enough and passed a law that requires all boat operaters with boats registered in Suffolk County, NY to take and pass a boaters safety course.
Personally, I think this is a step in the right direction. I'm usually not in favor of government stepping in but in this case it makes sense and should have been required a long time ago. The law requires Mandatory proof of a boating safety class by November 1st of 2013. There is still time but why wait till the last minute.

Anyway, our company has been offering safe boating courses to our customers for years. I would like to extend the offer to our members here on Duckboats.net.


Join Us For Our Boating Safety Class
Saturday, February 23
9:00AM to 5:00PM
If you are interested in an exciting and comprehensive boating safety course, check out the in-classroom seminar version of U.S.C.G. Auxiliary popular online boating course. This beginner class will give you the knowledge needed to obtain a boat license in Suffolk County, which is now mandatory for all boaters. Most boat insurance companies will even offer discounts to boaters who successfully complete the course.
Topics Include:
• Introduction to Boating
• Boating Law
• Boat Safety Equipment
• Safe Boating
• Navigation
• Boating Problems
• Trailering, Storing and Protecting Your Boat

Cost is $40 for adults, $25 for children under 18 and includes class materials and lunch.
MarineMax customers receive a 50% discount on the course fee. If your not a Marine Max customer, let me know and I'll make you one.
Location: MarineMax Copiague
750 Montauk Highway
Copiague, NY 11726


Please PM me with any questions or to reserve your spot in class.

Remember to wear your PFD. It only works if it's on.



 
Thanks for the info John. Just a couple of questions.

Does this apply to non-residents who bring their boat to Suffolk for the weekend?

Do you think Nassau Co. will follow suit?

Thanks!
 
We've had a state-wide safety course requirement since around 2000.
Makes sense: you have to take a test to drive a car, but you could take out a 200 hp bass boat that can go 80 mph and has no brakes with no training what so ever?????
 
Thanks for the info John. Just a couple of questions.

Does this apply to non-residents who bring their boat to Suffolk for the weekend?

Do you think Nassau Co. will follow suit?

Thanks!
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John,

At the moment it is only required for boats that are registered in Suffolk. I'm sure Nassau will follow soon.
I think it will make for safer waters and when someone does get caught doing something wrong they will no longer be able to say they didn't know any better.
The catalyst for this new law was an accident that happened this past 4th of July when a 34-foot Silverton out of Suffolk County capsized with 27 people aboard, three young children lost their lives. Imagine, 27 people on a 34' boat.
I feel bad for the families but seriously, 27 people on board and no one thought they may be overloaded?


Silvertonloadedovercapsity_zpsc914a338.jpg


I feel bad for the families that lost children. From the looks of it there is more than one person at fault for this accident. But you just can't fix stupid.
 
What a shame.

I agree that a boating course makes a lot of sense. Just trying to find out if it's something I should keep in mind before bringing my boat down.

So by "registered in Suffolk" you mean registered with the DMV? Not something like getting a permit to launch, as we do in Wantagh?
 
John, this will be for all ages, no exemptions? Have they put this in the papers as yet? I totally agree with you on the requirement. I worked for Tow Boat and have seen some Really bad operators, large and small boats. We purchased a large boat years ago and the wife and I took the course as a refresher. Both of us were raised on the water and had forgotten some things.
Sounds like you guys run a tight ship there. Nice of you to offer the course. Thanks
 
John, this will be for all ages, no exemptions? Have they put this in the papers as yet? I totally agree with you on the requirement. I worked for Tow Boat and have seen some Really bad operators, large and small boats. We purchased a large boat years ago and the wife and I took the course as a refresher. Both of us were raised on the water and had forgotten some things.
Sounds like you guys run a tight ship there. Nice of you to offer the course. Thanks
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Rich,

Yes it is on the books and it is for all ages.
If you currently hold a valid captains license you will be exempt.

Passed unanimously by the County Legislature on Sept. 13, the new law requires operators to hold a boating safety certificate issued by one of the following entities: the state parks department, a U.S. power squadron, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, or by any entity that offers a boating course that meets the standards set by the National Association of Boating Law Administrators.
The operator must have his or her certificate on board the vessel at all times during operation.
Violators face fines of $250 upon conviction of a first offense to $1,000 or imprisonment of up to a year on the third and subsequent convictions, which are classified as misdemeanors under the law.
Boating instructors, police and fire and rescue personnel on official business are exempted from the new requirement.
Suffolk County waters are all lakes, rivers, streams and bodies of water located within the county or adjacent to it within the territorial jurisdiction of New York State.

If your interested here is a link to the bill as it was presented and signed:
http://legis.suffolkcountyny.gov/Resos2012/i1797-12.pdf
 
What a shame.

I agree that a boating course makes a lot of sense. Just trying to find out if it's something I should keep in mind before bringing my boat down.

So by "registered in Suffolk" you mean registered with the DMV? Not something like getting a permit to launch, as we do in Wantagh?
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John,

The law only applies to boats registered in Suffolk county. You don't have to worry, however, a safe boating course is something I firmly believe in and think everyone should take. You can force prople to follow the rules but when they get stopped they can no longer say they didn't know any better. I think this will also give LEO another reson to be able to stop someone and do a few more BWI stops.

The bigger problem around here is that with all the budget cutbacks there are not mant LEO's on the water doing patrols. I see more tow boat operators than Bay constables, USCG and police combined.
 
Thanks John.
I got my Masters license in 2006, renewed it last year. Although a boating course would be good for me to take with my sons, as they are usually the ones I go boating with.
Maybe it’ll save a little on the insurance too. When I insured the boat, it seemed as if they were dissuading me from having the boys operate it (under my supervision). But I see it as a safety thing, why would I want to be the only person on board capable of operating the boat?
 
Thanks John.
I got my Masters license in 2006, renewed it last year. Although a boating course would be good for me to take with my sons, as they are usually the ones I go boating with.
Maybe it’ll save a little on the insurance too. When I insured the boat, it seemed as if they were dissuading me from having the boys operate it (under my supervision). But I see it as a safety thing, why would I want to be the only person on board capable of operating the boat?
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John,

I know how you feel about having someone else on board that can run the boat. I have been asking my wife for years to learn. All my kids have their boaters certificates and can run all my boats. At least my wife can use the VHF and read a position from the chartplotter.
 
"I have been asking my wife for years to learn."

That's one I need to work on too. My wife has driven a few times but she isn't the least bit interested in running the boat. If I were to get hurt or worse we'd be screwed. I haven't pushed it and I'm not sure she's even paid attention to how it really works. I've been on the water most of my life but we could use a class ourselves. Think I'll look into it here come spring.
 
John, after we bought the boat and started fishing nights with eels, Mom liked running the boat more. She didn't really like the dragger traffic in the inlet. Note... Bigger boat has the right of way... Think it's long over due. What's going to go with the commercial clammers etc, draggers???
 
You have to wonder why all those kids didn't have life jackets on. Around here kids can't get on the boat without one. I agree that you just can't fix stupid. My son took a boating safety coarse when he had his 270 SportCraft which gave him a discount on insurance.

Tom.
 
In NY, kids are NOT required to wear life jackets when not underway (i.e. anchored or docked) or if they are within an enclosed cabin.
I don't have the NY law link handy, but I looked into that a while back.
 
The law (like many here on L.I.) is VERY poorly written. Bellone put very little thought into it.
I DON'T disagree with the overall intent (to require a safety course), however there are a lot of unanswered questions because it fails to address many topics.

Ex:
-The media stated many times, that online courses are not allowed; where is that written into the law?
-I took a USCGA "Boating Skills & Seamanship" in-class course back in '97, and while it seems to be a much more thorough course than the "About Boating Safely" course (i.e. 16 hrs class time vs. 8), is that considered adequate? I'm assuming "Yes", because it says on the back of my ID, "Course approved by NASBLA..."
That leads to the next issue....they seemed to have mis-typed "National Association of Boating Law Administrators", instead of the correct "National Association of STATE Boating Law Administrators". I guess they don't have time to proof read???
I also took an online safety course back in 1999, given by Boat U.S., and on that ID, it has the NYSBLA logo right on the front of the ID. Therefore, that should also meet the requirement: "or by any entity that offers a boating course that meets the standards set by the National Association of Boating Law Administrators."
People who took USCGA courses, especially many years back.....there appears to be NO record of that anywhere, so you better not lose that card or certificate! Or, at least, make a bunch of copies.

Sorry for venting.....but you know how it is here on L.I., John. I'm getting tired of it. The latest Cuomo gun law mirrors this type of rush-through legislation....but, that's a whole other subject.
 
NY State has required all operaters of powered boats over 14 or 16 must pass a Boater's Safety Course since about 2001. I'm surprised Suffolk County is unaware of this requirement.

Will they be requiring current NY State Boating Safety Certificates to retake the Nationally recognized and reviewed Boating Safety Course?

If your are a non resident in NJ, even if you have passed another state's boating course and expect to be in NJ for more than 30 days, you are required to retake the Boating Safety Course.
 
Over 14 or 16 feet? Or over 14 or 16 years of age? I'm not sure what you're saying.
The Suffolk County law, was specifically to address the fact that for people 18 and older (in NY), there was NO requirement. They even state/acknowledge that in the beginning of the Suffolk County law; you can see the link in the prior posts by John.

There is NO mention of any requirement about re-taking a course, or any mention of how recent your certificate had to be. You must simply be "a holder of a certificate".
As I mentioned before, quite a vague law.....not much thought went into it.

The law is ONLY for "Suffolk County residents" who are boating in "Suffolk waters".
 
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