Every pleasure vessel including canoes, kayaks and rowboats operated upon the waters of NYS must have on board one United States Coast Guard approved wearable Personal Flotation Device (PFD) for each person on the vessel.

What do you need to have on a boat in NY?

Every pleasure vessel including canoes, kayaks and rowboats operated upon the waters of NYS must have on board one United States Coast Guard approved wearable Personal Flotation Device (PFD) for each person on the vessel.

Can you drink on a boat in New York State?

Boating While Intoxicated No one may operate a vessel on the waters of NYS while impaired or intoxicated through the consumption of either alcohol or drugs. New York law now prescribes heavy fines, imprisonment, and the suspension of operator privileges for violators.

Is a boating license required in NY State?

New York State requires certain boat operators to have a boating safety certificate. New York and most other states do not require a “license” to operate your personal recreational boat.

How old do you have to be to not wear a lifejacket in New York?

12
Any youth under the age of 12 on boats 65 feet or less in length must wear a securely fastened U.S. Coast Guard approved personal floatation device of appropriate size. It does not apply if the youth is in a full en- closed cabin.

What boats are exempt from being titled in New York?

The following vessels are exempt from state registration requirements: vessels operating commercially with either a U.S. or foreign document; vessels legally registered in another state (up to 90 consecutive days maximum); lifeboats (not including tenders and dinghies); competition race boats; and non mechanically …

Do you have to register a boat with a trolling motor in NY?

Do you have to register a kayak with a trolling motor in New York? Yes. All watercraft with any motor, regardless of size, must be registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Registrations are good for three years from the registration date.

Can you get a DWI on a boat in NY?

In New York, there are offenses for boating while impaired or intoxicated by alcohol which parallel the same offenses for operating a motor vehicle. For example, it is unlawful to operate a motorized vessel on water when impaired by the consumption of alcohol.

Can you have open container on a boat in NY?

New York State is more lenient. A boater in New York waters is allowed to operate a vessel while consuming alcohol but not while impaired or intoxicated. Boating while intoxicated mirrors driving while intoxicated, with a threshold of intoxication of 0.08 percent blood-alcohol content.

Can anyone drive a boat in NY?

What are the age requirements to drive a boat in New York? To operate a boat in New York, you must be at least 10 years old and accompanied by an adult. To operate a personal watercraft in New York, you must complete a boating safety course and be age 14 or older.

Can you rent a boat without a license in NY?

If you are at least 18 years old, you may rent without completing a course. The livery should demonstrate how to properly use the boat before renting it however. Persons under the age of 18 may only rent a motorboat if they hold a safety certificate.

What makes a life jacket serviceable?

PFD is free of rips, tears, and holes in the fabric. Seams, straps, and buckles should are in good condition. PFD is free of mildew odor and waterlogging. The buoyant material is not showing any sign of shrinkage.

Do you have to wear a life jacket on a kayak in NY?

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. All PFDs carried on board your vessel must be serviceable, readily accessible, and of the appropriate size for the wearer.

Is there a new boating law in New York?

A new boating law in New York, referred to as “Brianna’s Law,” is now in effect as of Jan. 1, 2020. It requires all motorboat operators to complete a boating safety course. New age requirements began Jan. 1, with full compliance for all boaters by Jan. 1, 2025. The older you are, the more time you will have to take the course.

When do you need a boating safety certificate in New York?

All persons operating a motorized vessel must have a Boating Safety Certificate by January 1, 2025. A person at least 14 years old may operate a PWC only if he or she: Has passed a boating safety course approved by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and…

How old do you have to be to operate a boat?

New York Boating Laws and Regulations. Age and Operator Restrictions. A person at least 10 years old and born on or after May 1, 1996, may operate a recreational boat (other than a PWC) only if he or she:

What are the advantages of New York’s boating license?

The advantage is that you will no longer need to carry your boating safety certificate with you when boating, as long as you have your driver’s license with you. For more information, go to New York’s Adventure License webpage.