Boating in New Jeresy: Important things to know

June 1, 2009 is around the corner please be advised:

New boating laws are in place which requires that any power boater operating in New Jersey waters after June 1, 2009 shall be in possession of a boat safety certificate. The law requires NJ residents to complete an approved NJ boat safety course. An out of state resident or a resident of a foreign country who is 16 years of age or older and who will be in the state for less than 90 days, may operate a power boat in NJ without having completed a NJ safe boating course provided he or she has a certificate from a boat safety course approved by the National Association of Boating Law Administration or the US Coast Guard, a safety course substantially similar to the NJ course, or a course certificate issued by the state or country in which the person resides.

Penalties for boating without boating course include:

• Operating a power boat without completing a boating safety course: minimum $100, maximum $500 fine.

• Failing to carry or exhibit a license when operating a power boat on non-tidal waters: up to $500 fine and/or up to 60 days imprisonment.

Penalties for boating under the influence of drugs or alcohol and/or refusal include:
Operating a power boat while DUI on tidal or nontidal waters:

• 1st Offense: loss of right to operate in NJ:
  Vessel: 12 months
  Vehicle: 3 months*
  * Violators under age 17: to 17 years, 3 months
  MOPED operators: from sentence date to 17 years, 3 months
  and
  Fine $250-400

• 2nd Offense: loss of right to operate in NJ:
  Vessel: 24 months
  Vehicle: 6 months*
  Fine $500-$1,000
  * Violators under age 17: to 17 years, 6 months
  MOPED operators: from sentence date to 17 years, 3 months
  and
  Community service: 30 days
  Jail: 48 hours-90 days
  

Note: Penalties for certain DUI-related offenses may increase to double fines and imprisonment (if committed within 1,000 feet of property used for school purposes) or forfeiture of the vessel and/or vehicle. These offenses include DUI, driving revoked, vehicular homicide or refusal to take a chemical test.

Penalties for refusing a breathalyzer or chemical test, all ages, are loss of right to operate power boats and vehicles and:

• 1st Offense 6 months and $250-500 fine
  
• 2nd Offense 2 years and $250-500 fine
  
• 3rd Offense 10 years and $250-500 fine

Vehicles as defined are automobiles, commercial vehicles, motorcycles, MOPEDs and agricultural

For more detailed and additional information please see the following links:

http://www.state.nj.us/njsp/maritime/

http://www.usboatlaw.com/newjersey/boatlaw.htm