Currently there are 42 States that require boater safety certificates in the US and 8 that do not, and Canada requires a Pleasure Craft Operator Card in all Canadian provinces and territories. Now some of those 42 States have exceptions for age of the operator or the type of vessel being driven. But more and more, boaters are being required to get their safety certificates. And why not? It’s a motorized vehicle, just like a car, and you need a driver’s license to prove you know the rules of the road. Most longtime boaters know the rules of the water, and will “cruise” through a boater safety course. (And they might just learn something new in the process!)
We bring this up because anyone that is planning to come to Vintage Boat Week 2025 in Clayton, NY, needs to be aware that as of 2025 New York State requires that all boating operators have a Boating Safety Certificate. Certificates should be issued from your current state of residence, but since not all states require it, the general rule of reciprocity is that the course needs to be approved by the National Association of Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA, https://www.nasbla.org/nasblamain/education/reciprocity).
Certificates issued by the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary (USCGA), America’s Boating Club (formerly the US Power Squadron), US Powerboating, New York State Parks, any NASBLA certified course from other States, and Canadian boating safety courses that meet Transport Canada’s requirements for a PCOC will be recognized and meet the requirements.
While on the water in New York state, you need to have your original certificate (card) on the boat with you. If you took the course in the past, but cannot find your certificate, then you need to take the course again. If a boater is stopped and found to be operating a vessel without a Boater Safety Certificate in New York State they can face a $250 fine.
ACBS members can take an online course this winter, or you can schedule someone like the USCGA to come teach an in-person class for the Chapter members who need it in your area and make it a fun event for your Chapter. Most in-person safe boating courses are 8-16 hours, so in the least they are a whole day, or broken up into multiple sessions.
The Antique Boat Museum has the local USCGA teach classes and they are offering virtual classes in April and May https://www.abm.org/boater-safety/ and people can register directly through the museum website. What is nice about these and any with the USCGA is that they actually have an instructor who you can talk to and ask questions, virtually they hold them via Zoom. The cost is $35 but you get a book to refer back to when ever you want, and the Museum and Coast Guard Auxiliary also benefit from the fee.
Other options include the Boat US Foundation’s online class. These ones are free and you can do them at any time. https://www.boatus.org/free
Here is a link to the New York State Safe Boater page which also lists other class options. https://parks.ny.gov/boating/education.aspx And again, we recommend checking the National Association of Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) https://www.nasbla.org/nasblamain/education/reciprocity website (or your own State’s website) to see the requirements for your home area.
Note: ACBS will not be checking for your certificate to register for the international show…but we recommend that all boaters be safe boaters!