Boaters certificate question

pmygatt · 05-20-2008, 04:34 PM

I live in Florida but spend the summers in NH and I was concerned about whether the state would honor my Florida boating license so I called them and this is what they told me. If the course has been approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and is recognized by the US Coast Guard, it is valid in NH. I asked them if a citizen of NH took an online exam from any other state and pass it, would it be OK in the State of NH and they said that as long as it met the above mentioned criteria, it was valid in the State of NH.

I then asked about Massachusetts and they said that they don't honor the licenses from MA because they aren't sanctioned by the state so they wouldn't meet the above mentioned criteria, however, if a Massachusetts resident took a course that was approved by the NASBLA, the State of NH would honor it.

According to the web site http://www.americasboatingcourse.com...oating_law.htm the State of Maine does not have a mandatory course so I'm not quite sure where you might get a license unless you take a USCG test. If you take the online course offered in FL, you could use it in NH. It is a very comprehensive course, costs $14.95 and you have to get an 80 on a 50 question final test to pass. You can take the test as many times as you want until you pass it. There is alot of good info there.

Try this website:

http://www.boat-ed.com/abc/abc_speci...dfs/nh_law.pdf

Note the section "Who May Operate a Vessel" . It is very specific about what the State of NH will accept and doesn't mention anything about proctored exams.

Chris Craft · 05-21-2008, 07:56 AM

So it sounds like you just need to find a state that allows you to take the test on line and is certified and you will be good to go in NH?

I got my license a long time ago but always wondered how much of a deterent it is for other boaters. I know a few guys that will not boat in NH because of the law.

pmygatt · 05-21-2008, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Craft

So it sounds like you just need to find a state that allows you to take the test on line and is certified and you will be good to go in NH?

I got my license a long time ago but always wondered how much of a deterent it is for other boaters. I know a few guys that will not boat in NH because of the law.

That's what my contact at the State said. As long as it meets the requirements set forth, the State of NH will honor it even if you are an NH resident who has taken the course in another state while being a resident of the state of NH. The whole idea is to make sure that the boat operator has taken and passed an approved course, something that everybody (regardless of where they live) should do anyway. It's like getting a driver license without any driver's education or taking some kind of test that explains the rules of the road.

loneskier · 05-24-2008, 06:19 PM

Does anyone know what the fine is for not having a license? My stepfather is the world's biggest procrastinator and he finally turned the age that the license is required and the first class he can get into is in mid June.
Of course he want's to go out tommorrow...
Thanks

jonfinn · 05-24-2008, 08:32 PM

I took the test, and got the safe boating cert. here in MA a couple of years ago (offered by the Environmental Poilce). They did an excellent job and I recommend the course highly to anyone who boats here in MA. Having said that, I've found it very useful to use the NH practice test as a way of refreshing my memory. I was surprised at how much info fell off my short-term memory. Also, the nav. markers work a little bit differently too.

After I got over my initial irritation over being "inconvenienced" by having to take a course, I was somewhat surprised that the cert. requirement is a recent trend. If you run in to trouble on a boat, you can't just pull over.

NightWing · 05-25-2008, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loneskier

Does anyone know what the fine is for not having a license? My stepfather is the world's biggest procrastinator and he finally turned the age that the license is required and the first class he can get into is in mid June.
Of course he want's to go out tommorrow...
Thanks

Now everyone needs one.

Date of Birth Certificate Required
January 1, 1983 January 1, 2002
January 1, 1977 January 1, 2003
January 1, 1973 January 1, 2004
January 1, 1967 January 1, 2005
January 1, 1963 January 1, 2006
January 1, 1957 January 1, 2007
All January 1, 2008

SBC · 05-25-2008, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loneskier

Does anyone know what the fine is for not having a license? My stepfather is the world's biggest procrastinator and he finally turned the age that the license is required and the first class he can get into is in mid June.
Of course he want's to go out tommorrow...
Thanks

The first offense is $60.00. Each subsequent offense is $300.00.

All you people, I've mentioned it before in this forum: $20.00 and 7 1/2 hours out of your life for a CERTIFICATE that is GOOD FOR LIFE and reciprocal with at least 40 other states is still one of the best deals in boating today.

Don't hesitate, don't procrastinate-- go to a class. BTW, the internet may be an attractive solution to the " I waited until the last minute" problem YOU CREATED but you are not going to benefit from some other state's course when it comes to NH LAWS. Know the laws of the state in which you operate.

It seems so sleazy to short cut the whole idea of SAFETY by rushing through some other state's internet course. Are they going to give you pointers on the NH aids to Navigation?? I don't think so. When you go red-right-return on those you will be on the rocks and still be a Capt. Bonehead.

Whew, thanx for the loan of the soapbox Skip.

Skip · 05-25-2008, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SBC

...Whew, thanx for the loan of the soapbox Skip...

By the way, several marinas have caught on to another loophole in the regulations to make renting to tourists easier.

I have just saw the first ads from a Lakes Region dealer exploiting the over 25horsepower requirement for the certificate.

This particular dealer is advertising specially configured pontoon boats with 25HP motor packages, exempt from the current boating certificate regulations.

Interesting marketing idea....

270-D:10 Certificate Required. –
I. No person born on or after the dates provided in this section shall operate a motorized vessel with any type of power motor in excess of 25 horsepower on the public waters of this state without first obtaining a certificate of boating safety education in accordance with this subdivision:

TomC · 05-25-2008, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip

This particular dealer is advertising specially configured pontoon boats with 25HP motor packages, exempt from the current boating certificate regulations.

years ago rumor had it that Mercury put 9.9HP labels on 15HP motors to allow more power on lakes with 10HP restrictions (same power head in those days)...

Whats to stop this dealer (or anyone) from taking the same approach and ordering a 25 HP decal set from the parts dept and applying to a larger motor?

Are the MP savvy to this kind of thing?

Skip · 05-25-2008, 08:33 AM

Good points Tom....

I talked to a friend of mine yesterday that owns a seacoast marina.
He said that these 25HP/Pontoon packages are actually a very nice rig, and for many folks is all that they need to get out on the water with the family for a day...plus the fact that the new motors sip fuel!

He also said, from a renter's perspective, that this type package is geared toward the novice and much more forgiving than the standard higher HP pontoon or fiberglass bowrider options of the past...with a significant break on insurance due to the lower HP.

There's always a market for those willing to do their homework!

chipj29 · 05-21-2008, 08:23 AM

Does a company that rents boats require the people that rent them to have certificates?

Wolfeboro_Baja · 05-21-2008, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chipj29

Does a company that rents boats require the people that rent them to have certificates?

If you asked me, simple logic would dictate that they SHOULD have the certificate but I do not know if there is an actual requirement; perhaps Skip can enlighten us. After all, if you wanted to rent a car, you'd have to have a driver's license AND, as I recall, there is a minimum age requirement also!!

If marinas that rent don't require a certificate, they're just adding to the Capt. Bonehead problem that we already have out on the lake!

chipj29 · 05-21-2008, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolfeboro_Baja

If you asked me, simple logic would dictate that they SHOULD have the certificate but I do not know if there is an actual requirement; perhaps Skip can enlighten us. After all, if you wanted to rent a car, you'd have to have a driver's license AND, as I recall, there is a minimum age requirement also!!

If marinas that rent don't require a certificate, they're just adding to the Capt. Bonehead problem that we already have out on the lake!

I can agree with the simple logic, however in this case, if I as a boat owner am required to have a cert., then so too should the renter.

WRT the car rentals, I don't think there is an official age requirement, it is just something the agencies use to keep the kids from beating the crap out of their rental fleet.

Skip · 05-21-2008, 10:55 AM

Remember, the only person required to have the certificate is the boat operator.

It is more of a question of civil liability and insurance question for the merchant to make sure the customer operating the boat is properly qualified....but I can imagine situations where the person actually paying for the rental is not going to be the operator. I am aware of no legal requirement that the person actually renting the vessel hold a valid certificate.

As an editorial comment, isn't it a shame that something that should be as simple as the boating certificate requirement still generates so many questions & confusion years after its initial implementation?

Since it effects many folks that are non-resident tourists and the State relies so much on a positive tourism experience for a healthy economy, you would think that someone would step up to the plate and clean up the mess that the current regulations have caused.

Recently a similar issue regarding reciprocity with the State of Maine in reference to Driver Education requirements caused some confusion in the Conway area. Local State Representatives along with folks in Concord quickly stepped up to the plate and rectified the situation. Quite frankly it is an embarassment that this same spirit of cooperation and concern have not been taken in regards to the well known loopholes found in this State's Boating Safety Certificate regulations.

Sorry, back off the soapbox....

Skip

Wolfeboro_Baja · 05-21-2008, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chipj29

WRT the car rentals, I don't think there is an official age requirement, it is just something the agencies use to keep the kids from beating the crap out of their rental fleet.

I believe you are correct in that there is no minimum age required by law but if you want to rent a car, renters had better be prepared to meet the rental agency's age requirement!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip

Remember, the only person required to have the certificate is the boat operator.

It is more of a question of civil liability and insurance question for the merchant to make sure the customer operating the boat is properly qualified....but I can imagine situations where the person actually paying for the rental is not going to be the operator. I am aware of no legal requirement that the person actually renting the vessel hold a valid certificate.

As an editorial comment, isn't it a shame that something that should be as simple as the boating certificate requirement still generates so many questions & confusion years after its initial implementation?

Since it effects many folks that are non-resident tourists and the State relies so much on a positive tourism experience for a healthy economy, you would think that someone would step up to the plate and clean up the mess that the current regulations have caused.

Recently a similar issue regarding reciprocity with the State of Maine in reference to Driver Education requirements caused some confusion in the Conway area. Local State Representatives along with folks in Concord quickly stepped up to the plate and rectified the situation. Quite frankly it is an embarassment that this same spirit of cooperation and concern have not been taken in regards to the well known loopholes found in this State's Boating Safety Certificate regulations.

Sorry, back off the soapbox....

Skip

Get back up on that soapbox; you are the voice of reason here!! I agree with what you said 100%. As for it being required, it should be the same as it is to rent a car; no license, no rental.

webmaster · 05-21-2008, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chipj29

Does a company that rents boats require the people that rent them to have certificates?

All boat operators must have an approved safety certificate and that includes rentals. Many rental agents are certified to issue a 14 day temporary certificate. Here are some applicable links:

14 Day Temporary Safe Boating Certificate Agent Locations
14 Day Temporary Safe Boating Certificate Provisions
Safe Boating Certificate RSA
Temporary Safe Boating Certificate RSA
Certificate Not Required RSA

From the Anchor Marine Boat Rentals Web site:

Quote:

Failure to produce a Safe Boating Certificate from your state or failure to pass the online test upon arrival will result in a forfeiture of your rental and you will be charged for the rental period. In the case of a multi-day rental the charge will be for the first day rental charge only.

chipj29 · 05-21-2008, 12:52 PM

Interesting stuff. Thanks for the info guys. I didn't realize a temporary certificate was available.
Of course, none of this applies to me as I already have my certificate. I was just curious as to how rentals were handled.

05-20-2008, 04:34 PM	#1
pmygatt Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	State of NH Boating License Reciprocity I live in Florida but spend the summers in NH and I was concerned about whether the state would honor my Florida boating license so I called them and this is what they told me. If the course has been approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and is recognized by the US Coast Guard, it is valid in NH. I asked them if a citizen of NH took an online exam from any other state and pass it, would it be OK in the State of NH and they said that as long as it met the above mentioned criteria, it was valid in the State of NH. I then asked about Massachusetts and they said that they don't honor the licenses from MA because they aren't sanctioned by the state so they wouldn't meet the above mentioned criteria, however, if a Massachusetts resident took a course that was approved by the NASBLA, the State of NH would honor it. According to the web site http://www.americasboatingcourse.com...oating_law.htm the State of Maine does not have a mandatory course so I'm not quite sure where you might get a license unless you take a USCG test. If you take the online course offered in FL, you could use it in NH. It is a very comprehensive course, costs $14.95 and you have to get an 80 on a 50 question final test to pass. You can take the test as many times as you want until you pass it. There is alot of good info there. Try this website: http://www.boat-ed.com/abc/abc_speci...dfs/nh_law.pdf Note the section "Who May Operate a Vessel" . It is very specific about what the State of NH will accept and doesn't mention anything about proctored exams. Last edited by pmygatt; 05-20-2008 at 04:56 PM. Reason: Added new information

05-24-2008, 06:19 PM	#4
loneskier Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Attleboro Ma Posts: 25 Thanks: 3 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Fine for not having license Does anyone know what the fine is for not having a license? My stepfather is the world's biggest procrastinator and he finally turned the age that the license is required and the first class he can get into is in mid June. Of course he want's to go out tommorrow... Thanks

05-25-2008, 08:33 AM	#10
Skip Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Dover, NH Posts: 1,615 Thanks: 256 Thanked 514 Times in 182 Posts	What's under the hood? Good points Tom.... I talked to a friend of mine yesterday that owns a seacoast marina. He said that these 25HP/Pontoon packages are actually a very nice rig, and for many folks is all that they need to get out on the water with the family for a day...plus the fact that the new motors sip fuel! He also said, from a renter's perspective, that this type package is geared toward the novice and much more forgiving than the standard higher HP pontoon or fiberglass bowrider options of the past...with a significant break on insurance due to the lower HP. There's always a market for those willing to do their homework!

05-21-2008, 08:23 AM	#11
chipj29 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bow Posts: 1,874 Thanks: 521 Thanked 308 Times in 162 Posts	Rentals Does a company that rents boats require the people that rent them to have certificates?

05-21-2008, 10:55 AM	#14
Skip Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Dover, NH Posts: 1,615 Thanks: 256 Thanked 514 Times in 182 Posts	Certificate questions... Remember, the only person required to have the certificate is the boat operator. It is more of a question of civil liability and insurance question for the merchant to make sure the customer operating the boat is properly qualified....but I can imagine situations where the person actually paying for the rental is not going to be the operator. I am aware of no legal requirement that the person actually renting the vessel hold a valid certificate. As an editorial comment, isn't it a shame that something that should be as simple as the boating certificate requirement still generates so many questions & confusion years after its initial implementation? Since it effects many folks that are non-resident tourists and the State relies so much on a positive tourism experience for a healthy economy, you would think that someone would step up to the plate and clean up the mess that the current regulations have caused. Recently a similar issue regarding reciprocity with the State of Maine in reference to Driver Education requirements caused some confusion in the Conway area. Local State Representatives along with folks in Concord quickly stepped up to the plate and rectified the situation. Quite frankly it is an embarassment that this same spirit of cooperation and concern have not been taken in regards to the well known loopholes found in this State's Boating Safety Certificate regulations. Sorry, back off the soapbox.... Skip

05-21-2008, 07:56 AM	#2
Chris Craft Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 120 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	So it sounds like you just need to find a state that allows you to take the test on line and is certified and you will be good to go in NH? I got my license a long time ago but always wondered how much of a deterent it is for other boaters. I know a few guys that will not boat in NH because of the law.

05-24-2008, 08:32 PM	#5
jonfinn Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Weymouth, MA Posts: 37 Thanks: 1 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	I took the test, and got the safe boating cert. here in MA a couple of years ago (offered by the Environmental Poilce). They did an excellent job and I recommend the course highly to anyone who boats here in MA. Having said that, I've found it very useful to use the NH practice test as a way of refreshing my memory. I was surprised at how much info fell off my short-term memory. Also, the nav. markers work a little bit differently too. After I got over my initial irritation over being "inconvenienced" by having to take a course, I was somewhat surprised that the cert. requirement is a recent trend. If you run in to trouble on a boat, you can't just pull over.

05-21-2008, 12:52 PM	#17
chipj29 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bow Posts: 1,874 Thanks: 521 Thanked 308 Times in 162 Posts	Interesting stuff. Thanks for the info guys. I didn't realize a temporary certificate was available. Of course, none of this applies to me as I already have my certificate. I was just curious as to how rentals were handled.