BOAT AND RECREATION VEHICLE SAFETY BUREAU
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
By policy Massachusetts Environmental Police do not honor Online Boater Education Certificates
1. Where can I locate “Boat Massachusetts” the MA boater’s handbook which explains boating laws, offers safety information and operation guidelines?
2. Who is required to take a Boating Safety Course in Massachusetts?
3. Does the state offer Boating Safety Courses? How do I put my name on the mailing list for boating course information?
4. At what age can a person operate a personal watercraft (PWC)?
5. What is the age requirement for a person to operate an off-road vehicle?
6. As an out-of-state boater, what boating laws do I have to know?
7. Who is required to wear a life jacket or personal flotation device (PFD)?
8. Is a personal flotation device (PFD) i.e., life jacket, required to be on board all boats/personal watercraft?
9. What safety equipment is required to be on board a boat?
10. Where can I operate my PWC?
11. Can a skier be towed by a PWC?
12. How do I register my boat, PWC or recreation vehicle?
13. Is it legal to drink alcoholic beverages on board a boat?
14. If my boat is involved in a boating accident, what should I do?
15. If my recreational vehicle or snowmobile is involved in a recreational vehicle accident, what should I do?
16. Where are the pump out station locations?
17. How do I report a boater polluting the water with contaminants like oil, gasoline or trash?
18. What are some tips which can help ease the environmental impact of routine boating?
19. What is the law regarding boating and marine mammals?
20. How important is it to check the weather forecast before I launch my boat?
21. How can I obtain a copy of a boating or recreation vehicle accident report?
22. How can I obtain a replacement Boating Safety Certificate?
23. Where can I launch my boat?
24. Does my recreational vehicle (ATV, dirt bike or snowmobile) need to be registered?
25. Do paddle crafts (kayak, rowboat, canoe or sailboat) have to be registered in MA?
26. What safety equipment are required onboard paddle crafts and/or small, non-motorized craft?
27. How can I report violations of any boating, off-road vehicle or natural resource laws?
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions:
1. The “Boat Massachusetts” boater’s guide is available on line at http://boat-ed.com/ma/handbook/boater_education.htm. or in hardcopy format by contacting MA Environmental Police Boat and Recreation Vehicle Safety Bureau office in Bourne at (508)759-0002.
2. For any size motorized boat (except a PWC), persons 16 years of age and older may operate alone. Persons 12 through 15 years of age must earn a boating safety certificate by taking an approved safe boating course in order to operate a motorboat without adult supervision. For course information: www.state.ma.us/dfwele/dle/dlecours.htm
3. The MA Environmental Police offer NASBLA approved boating safety courses which include PWC operating rules. Current course schedules and other state approved course provider offerings can be viewed on our website: www.state.ma.us/dfwele/dle/dlecours.htm . To add your name to our mailing list to receive course information, call (508) 759-0002
4. Persons 18 years of age and over may operate a personal watercraft (PWC). Persons 16 and 17 years of age who have earned a boating safety certificate by passing an approved boating safety course may operate a (PWC).
5. Persons less than 10 years of age may not operate a recreation vehicle. Persons 10-11 years of age may operate on land owned by the operator and when supervised by an adult. Persons 12-13 years of age must be directly supervised by an adult. Persons 14 years of age and over may operate recreation vehicles.
6. Each state has its own unique boating rules. Massachusetts boating rules can be reviewed at www.mass.gov/dfwele/dle/boatrvsafe.htm
7. In Massachusetts, life preservers (PFD’s) are required to be worn by: (1) youth less than 12 years of age; (2) all personal watercraft users; (3) water skiers and (4) canoeists/kayakers during the period of September 15 – May 15.
8. All boats must have at least one wearable Type I, II, or III U.S.Coast Guard approved life jacket (PFD) readily accessible for each person on board. One Type 4 throwable device must be on board a powerboat greater than 16 ft. in length.
9. Please see Page 38 of the “Boat Massachusetts” boater’s guide for complete safety equipment information.
10. Personal watercraft (PWC) can only be operated on waters greater than 75 acres. Some cities and towns have instituted restrictions on some water bodies regarding the operation of PWC. We recommend users contact local authorities to see if local regulations are in effect. In addition, the waters in and around the Cape Cod National Seashore are off limits to PWC operation.
11. Personal watercraft (PWC) are not allowed to tow anyone or anything in any manner in Massachusetts’ waters.
12. All motorized recreational boats, off-road vehicles such as snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles must be registered with the state. For more specific information, see www.mass.gov/dfwele/dle/instructionspage.htm#Boat
13. Strong penalties for alcohol or drug abuse while operating a motorboat have been instituted within the state. For first offenders, fines, imprisonment, and the loss of motor vehicle license are possible. (LINK to ch90b, s.8a on website)
14. In cases where a boating accident results in a fatality, personal injury or property damage over $500, a MA Environmental Police accident report must be submitted (fatality within 2 days, other within 5 days). (LINK to Boat Accident Form)
15. The operator or owner of a recreational vehicle involved in a collision, accident or other such casualty resulting in death or injury to a person or damage to property in excess of $50 shall notify a law enforcement officer immediately and file a written report of the incident with the MA Environmental Police within 48 hours. (LINK to Rec Vehicle Accident Form)
16. Pumpout stations are coordinated through the MA Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) at (617) 626-1212 or http://www.mass.gov/czm/potoc.htm . Presently, stations are located along the shoreline; no inland stations are operable.
17. Pollution acts, either accidental or intentional, should be reported immediately to the Coast Guard (1-800-424-8802) and the local law enforcement agency.
18. Make it a policy not to throw anything overboard. It is illegal to discharge waste, oil or trash into the water. You must immediately notify the U.S. Coast Guard ( 1-800-424-8802) and the Dept. of Environmental Protection (1-800-304-1133) if your vessel discharges oil or hazardous substances into the water. Keep a supply of oil absorbent rags on board for oil and fuel leaks. Use non-toxic cleaners on board that do not contain phosphates which are toxic to aquatic ecosystems. Recycle fluids at your marina such as engine or out drive oil, and ethylene glycol (toxic) antifreeze. Recycle oil filters and batteries.
19. It is illegal to harass, hunt, capture, or kill any marine mammal. This includes negligent or intentional acts which result in the disturbance or molestation of a marine mammal. The U.S. Coast Guard should be notified of any such actions ( 1-800-424-8802).
20. Weather conditions are of great importance to all water users. Become familiar with your local weather related services. NOAA weather radios will announce special marine warnings issued by the local National Weather Service (http://www.nws.noaa.gov/) Always check the local weather outlook before launching.
21. Freedom of Information Act requests for copies of boat or recreation vehicle accident reports should be directed to MA Environmental Police, 1 Trowbridge Road, Bourne, MA 02532. Phone: (508)759-0002 Fax: (508)759-7774. The date, location and type of accident are required to properly identify specific accidents.
22. Duplicate boating safety certificates may be obtained by contacting the MA Environmental Police Boat and Recreation Vehicle Safety Bureau at (508)759-0002.
23. Public boat access, canoe/car-top launch sites and fish pier information may be obtained by contacting the Public Access Board at (617) 727-1843. (LINK to PAB)
24. All off-road vehicles operated on public or private property must be registered with the state, except if used solely on land owned by the operator. Out-of-state recreation vehicle registrations are not valid in Massachusetts.
25. A non-motorized boat is not required to be registered in the state of Massachusetts.
26. Small non-motorized craft are required to have a wearable life jacket (PFD) on board for each person. Between the dates of September 15 and May 15 canoeists and kayakers are required to wear PFD’s at all times. Additionally, on coastal waters a visual distress signal is required during operation in low visibility and nighttime hours.
27. A person may contact the MEP Operations Center (radio dispatch) at 1-800-632-8075 or (617) 626-1665 to file a complaint.