New Hampshire Classroom Course for Boating Education

[Winnisquamer]

Originally Posted by dpg

I know someone that didn't pass first time. It was taken in Concord and the instructors really didn't "answer" test questions straight out. It does depend where you take it, when given in our association in the past the instructors basically "try very hard" to not let you fail. It does depend where you take it and who your instructor is.

The test isn't made to fail anyone. Calling it a proctored exam in my opinion is also a joke just to make it sound official. Yes by definition it is proctored but lets get serious there wasn't more than 4 questions on the test that required more than 10 seconds thought.

I'm not one of these people who's been boating on Winni since 1961 either so I don't have years of experience of the rules and lakes and etc so its not second nature to me. The questions were worded straight forward with no trickery. And someone correct me if I am wrong, cant you get 11 questions wrong and still pass? If you get 12 wrong you shouldn't be allowed on the lake for that season. Sorry, that's embarrassing.

Like someone else stated this isn't even a "licence" test this is basically I am proving to you I have the mental capacity to read a packet of papers, or sit there and listen like I did, on boat safety and general navigation then regurgitate how to operate a boat safely and which side of the boat you keep a black or red bouy on via multiple choice answers. Pretty important to demonstrate an understanding of the material for what we are all looking to do on the lake.

[Knomad]

JTA

Your Power Squadron Certificate is good in NH. Other State issued certificates approved by NASBLA are also good in NH.

If you don't already have one, pick up a New Hampshire Handbook of Boating Laws and Responsibilities. This will give you information on the laws and rules unique to NH. The latest version is the Seventh Edition.
Unfortunately the copyright is 2013. Some of the laws and rules have changed since then. If you have any questions do not hesitate to call the Marine Patrol at 877-642-9700 or 603-293-2037.

[jeffk]

My wife took the course on July 23. She got only one question wrong on the test. She got her official card in the mail today!

[Rich]

A friend just did this so I know it works.

If you can't make one of the NH "Proctored" exams in person, the MD boating NASBLA certificate can be completely completed online, there is no need to show up in person to take the exam.

Now, this may be controversial (and I'm sure it will be), but it's allowed and the MD boat-ed certificate is NASBLA certified and is therefore allowed in NH.

start here:
https://www.boat-ed.com/

Then click MD:
https://www.boat-ed.com/maryland/

Pay your fees, learn the material, then pass the final exam.

Note that I would strongly recommend that you also review the NH material to be familiar with the NH specific rules. This may also be a good idea for anyone that wonders what the exams are like, or if you would like to refresh yourself:
https://www.boat-ed.com/newhampshire/

Good luck!

[AC2717]

I am curious
can someone that is under the age 16 take the test and if pass get their license, or do they have to be 16 no matter what? so I guess I have a couple questions

1) can someone under 16 take the test and get there license?

2) Does it matter if they pass if they are still not allowed to drive anything over 25hp because of their age?

3) if they do pass and #2 applies does that mean once the day they turn 16 it is ok for them to start driving anything over 25 hp?

[Rich]

I don't know, but I would assume 'no you must be over 15 years' or the certificate won't be valid. They take your age into account and probably won't allow one to take it if you're not old enough. If you mis-represent the age of the applicant, then that is a different issue which would also make it invalid.

From the study guide:

Who May Operate a Vessel

A vessel powered by 25 horsepower or less does not require the operator to have a Safe Boating Certificate.

A “ski craft” (motorized vessel less than 13 feet long that is capable of exceeding 20 miles per hour and has the capacity to carry no more than an operator and one other person) may be operated only by persons who are 16 years old or older and who have a valid Safe Boating Certificate.

A vessel powered by more than 25 horsepower (other than a “ski craft”) may be operated by:
• A person under 16 years of age only if he or she is accompanied by a person 18 years old or older who has a valid Safe Boating Certificate. The accompanying person is responsible for any injury or damage caused during operation of the vessel.
• A person 16 years of age or older only if he or she has obtained a Safe Boating Certificate.

FYI, it's not a license and as such never expires, but it is a certificate of having taken the safety training and having passed the exam showing you "know" the material presented in the class.

[AC2717]

Originally Posted by Rich

I don't know, but I would assume 'no you must be over 15 years' or the certificate won't be valid. They take your age into account and probably won't allow one to take it if you're not old enough. If you mis-represent the age of the applicant, then that is a different issue which would also make it invalid.

From the study guide:



FYI, it's not a license and as such never expires, but it is a certificate of having taken the safety training and having passed the exam showing you "know" the material presented in the class.

so what I am alluding to now I would say is why couldn't a 13 or a 14 year old take the class and pass it and have their certificate and when they turn 16 it becomes valid?

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by AC2717

so what I am alluding to now I would say is why couldn't a 13 or a 14 year old take the class and pass it and have their certificate and when they turn 16 it becomes valid?

If they take the Maryland online course they can! Here is what it states...

"There is no minimum age requirement to take this online course. You do not have to be a resident of Maryland to take this online course."

Dan

[AC2717]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

If they take the Maryland online course they can! Here is what it states...

"There is no minimum age requirement to take this online course. You do not have to be a resident of Maryland to take this online course."

Dan

so what is to stop a 13 year olr or any kid for that point from taking a test from MD and the day they hit 16 in NH they are legal???


also another reason why non of this makes sense

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by AC2717

so what is to stop a 13 year olr or any kid for that point from taking a test from MD and the day they hit 16 in NH they are legal???


also another reason why non of this makes sense

Nothing is stopping them except the certificate won't be valid in NH until that person turns 16 and whats wrong with that??

What doesn't make sense?...if the state (NH) accepts the MD exam what difference does it make at what age they passed the test as long as they pass?? While it may be frowned upon, it is completely legal and in all honesty do you really believe the certificate makes someone an instant Captain??

Heck I know a dozen or so island kids under the age of 15 that could navigate a boat way better than many adults I see attempt it on weekends!

My wife aced (100%) the online exam when it first came out but there was no way in hell she was going to get behind the helm of a boat without hands on instruction and lessons which she has been taking dilligently!

Dan

[AC2717]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

Nothing is stopping them except the certificate won't be valid in NH until that person turns 16 and whats wrong with that??

What doesn't make sense?...if the state (NH) accepts the MD exam what difference does it make at what age they passed the test as long as they pass?? While it may be frowned upon, it is completely legal and in all honesty do you really believe the certificate makes someone an instant Captain??

Heck I know a dozen or so island kids under the age of 15 that could navigate a boat way better than many adults I see attempt it on weekends!

My wife aced (100%) the online exam when it first came out but there was no way in hell she was going to get behind the helm of a boat without hands on instruction and lessons which she has been taking dilligently!

Dan

couldn't agree more, I was being sarcastic. I was directing my remarks to how a test makes people legal but doesn't mean they are good boaters, although some may think so. I should have made it clearer

[Rich]

I don't think *anyone* has said that passing the exam makes them a good / safe / nor knowledgeable boater.

Where is this coming from? I have never seen anyone that has said this.

All it proves is that you read the materials, and passed the exam. It doesn't mean you can remember the information, nor does it prove that you follow the practices presented in the course.

After passing the exam and after boating for a few years, I still am trying to learn everything that I can. I'm the last person to say that I know what I'm doing. Most people that I know will also say the same thing, that it is a continual learning process that never ends.

[NoBozo]

When I took the NASBLA exam in RI, (Proctored) there was a young girl leaving the test room ahead of me in Tears. She had been completely overwhelmed by the content of the exam. She "looked" to be 14 or 15. I asked one of the proctors about it and he said it really didn't matter how old the person taking the exam was because in practice, it would be unlikely someone under 14 or so would be able to Pass the exam.

As to the Maryland question, what would prevent a fully prepared adult from taking the exam On Line "For" the child..or anyone else? No proctor to verify the identity of the person actually taking the exam. NB

[NoBozo]

Something else I noticed about the Maryland website. There was a NASBLA Logo "shown"..along with the Coast Guard Logo, up in the right hand corner of the front page.

No Where.. on the website did I see Any Words... saying that the Maryland boating safety program is approved by NASBLA. Did I miss something..or something..? NB

[Rich]

I can't say if you're splitting hairs.. but this page implies that it is a NASBLA card:

https://www.boat-ed.com/maryland/boating_card.html

[arch13]

In NH you are allowed to sit for the proctored test if you are 15, and the ID card will be mailed to you on your 16th birthday.

Anyone under 16 is allowed to operate a vessel only if they are supervised by someone 18+ who has a boating certificate. (Weirdly once you turn 16 you lose the option of operating under the supervision of someone else, and you must have your own boating license.)

[Greene's Basin Girl]

Originally Posted by Rich

I can't say if you're splitting hairs.. but this page implies that it is a NASBLA card:

https://www.boat-ed.com/maryland/boating_card.html

I just called Maryland. If you vote in NH you are required to take the NH Boater Safety Course. If you live in a state other than NH you will need to call them at 1-800-830-2268. I was curious because I am a member of the Lakes Region Power Squadron and we teach the course for a boating certificate here in NH.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Greene's Basin Girl

I just called Maryland. If you vote in NH you are required to take the NH Boater Safety Course. If you live in a state other than NH you will need to call them at 1-800-830-2268. I was curious because I am a member of the Lakes Region Power Squadron and we teach the course for a boating certificate here in NH.

This is interesting, is there some rule/law/policy one can see to solidify this?

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Greene's Basin Girl

I just called Maryland. If you vote in NH you are required to take the NH Boater Safety Course. If you live in a state other than NH you will need to call them at 1-800-830-2268. I was curious because I am a member of the Lakes Region Power Squadron and we teach the course for a boating certificate here in NH.

Even looking through nasbla.org I can't find any reference to a policy such as this, but I'll let my friend know what you said, but it would be nice to have something more firm than 'someone online said'.

[Winnisquamer]

Originally Posted by Rich

Even looking through nasbla.org I can't find any reference to a policy such as this, but I'll let my friend know what you said, but it would be nice to have something more firm than 'someone online said'.

Calling Maryland asking about NH laws? I wouldn't take that for fact.