Boating Safety Card Photo?
 

Does anyone know if having a photo of your licence and boating safety card on your phone will suffice if you're stopped by Marine Patrol?

Since I live on the lake, I frequently don't bother to bring my wallet if I'm going out for a short cruise? It's just one more thing to misplace or drop in the water. I do always bring my phone in case I get stranded :coolsm:

I used to just leave my boating card on the boat, but now I have a jet ski too, so that no longer works.

Hey Jazzman !! been a while ! ..... take it your back on the Island now.

I would take a shot at it -- seems reasonable enough & I suspect that the MP would honor it--- the worst that could come of it is they follow you back to your dock for the real documents.


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A simple call to Marine Patrol would let you know instantly...603-293-2037

NH Safe Boating Certificate
 

I keep a photocopy of my certificate on board each boat as I frequently do not have my wallet with me. 🐻

I do the same since there isn't a photo on the certificate anyways. It's too much of a hassle to take my license everywhere with me, it stays on my boat year round, a photo on my phone is all I would have if I was stopped on your boat. If that's not good enough then I'll take the ticket please and thank you.

Let us know what MP says. Maybe photocopy and laminate several copies? I don't think you need a driver's license, but if you're copying, I'd do that too. When I'm travelling, I photocopy my passport and carry the copy, and leave the original at the hotel.

Order Extra Cards
 

Depending on the situation, Marine Patrol would honor a copy of a BE Certificate. A photo ID would also need to be seen in order to determine the persons identity.

The State now offers the opportunity for people to order extra cards if they choose. The cost is $10 per card and you can leave one in each boat and your wallet if you wish. Those who have completed the NH classroom or internet course may order an extra or replacement card by visiting www.ilostmycard.com.

Safe Boating!!

Tim Dunleavy

Regardless of whether I pay an additional $10 per card, MP will need to see a Photo ID to determine the persons identity. Why spend the extra $$?

I guess I will take my chances based on "the situation". The State/F&G gets enough money from me on an annual basis

It is great that Captain Dunleavy is an active member of this forum and has always posted helpful answers to any questions that are asked.

I would use one sheet, copy both the photo ID as well and the NH Boating Certificate, and offer them when asked. I am sure that if you are polite and respectful when you are stopped it will go a long way towards a satisfactory interaction with the Marine Patrol.

Diligence
 

I'd guess the people who go to the extra effort never get stopped, as they also expend extra effort on knowing and practicing what to do in all situations. Folks who get stopped are probably not regular members here.
Nevertheless, I applaud Capt. Dunleavy for doing a complete and thorough job, as do the rest of the officers under his leadership.

The state law is a little contradictory about this issue.

270-D:11 says you must "possess the certificate when operating a motorized vessel" and "present the certificate upon the demand of a marine patrol officer". So that seems pretty unambiguous that you must actually have the certificate itself.

...but later on it says that if you show "evidence that he or she held a valid safe boater education certificate" within 48 hours, you cannot be convicted of the a violation. I would think that a photocopy of the license would count as evidence in any reasonable situation.

So my reading of the law is that in effect a photocopy is probably fine.

By the way I can't find anywhere in the boating laws a requirement that you have to present any other ID. As far as I know you are not even required to have a driver's license to boat. So while a MP officer may *ask* you for it, I don't think you actually need it or need to present it.

Welcome
 

Nice to have you join us on the Forum.

I think Captain Dunleavy was pretty clear. Go back and see post #7 in this thread. Maybe you read it differently than I did.

When you get your courtesy safety check from MP, and sticker, you can take the opportunity to ask any question you want from MP. The folks from Power Squadron and USCG Auxiliary who do courtesy inspections are also happy to answer questions, as we are here on the Forum.

Welcome to the Forum arch13. It is especially nice to see a thoughtful 1st post.

FYI - Passport copies.

It's illegal to make color copies of your passport. It's silly but if you ever go to someplace like Staples, you will see this on a sign near their copy center.

No, it's not illegal to make copies, color or otherwise, of your passport.

Some family members recently renewed their passports. The new passports arrived in the mail with some helpful literature from the U.S. Department of State. Included in one brochure were some "Additional Tips for Travel," including this one:

"While overseas, carry photocopies of your passport biographical page and foreign visa with you at all times."

Fish & game accept a photo of your fishing license on your phone I still have the paper copy in my wallet, but have used the photo on the phone and when asked if acceptable they said yes.

any word on the boating license, would make things so much easier than swapping out

confirmed
 

Confirmed with F&G rep that phone pic would be acceptable, but I just print a couple of paper copies to have in each boat and tackle box rather than pass a $600 phone across the water for him to look at.

This but I just go to a copy place and laminate them for a few dollars. You could do about 8 of them with one laminate sheet.

cheaper
 

I just put them in a ziplock sandwich bag

Photo ID?
 

Thanks to Marine Patrol for participating in the forum. I'm wondering about the statement that someone needs to show a photo ID to prove they are the certificate holder. I'm unaware of laws requiring a photo ID while boating in NH (like Florida and Missouri do). Does the MP boats have the technology to look up someone's picture if they are from NH and have a driver's license back home? If it matters, why not put a picture on the boater's certificate?

Good question to MP and I hope they chime in ...

As I understand it, some sort of picture ID (not necessarily drivers license) is used to verify that you are the name on the Boater Cert.

Totally AGREE -- the Boater Cert should have a picture as well, when filing the individual simply supplies a passport photo for processing the actual Cert card. Seems simple enough, although I can see where that will add $$ to the Dept to process.


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If it required a picture wouldn't you have to stand in line at the registry for an hour every five years like the drivers license? If so I want no part in that.

Right, but then it should not be asked for if it's not important enough to put on there in the 1st place. I understand why they would want photo ID but can't blame you for not having it.

Some ppl would love do disagree.

Shame on ME for letting ppl know!

Id
 

Asking for ID is nothing new.
Note that even with a picture on the SBC, you could also use a USCG cert. Power Squadron cert. or other state cert. No pictures on those.

This isn't an issue worth quibbling over. Someday, we'll probably just endorse the driver's license like we do for motorcycles. There was a reason in 1999 when SBC started, but I don't remember it.