Boating is a fun summer activity but it can also be dangerous. It is important that you follow the NY State and USCG Guidelines for boating. Make sure your boat is properly registered with NY State, that you follow State Watercraft Laws and that you have the Proper Required Equipment on your boat. You also need to consider your boat insurance coverage and make sure you have the right coverage for your needs.
Proper Equipment: The USCG and NY State both have minimum required equipment for boating.
- Navigation Lights – all vessels must display required navigation lights at ALL times between sunset & sunrise.
- Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs) – All recreational vessels must have at least one USCG Type I, II, or III PFD for each person on board. PFDs must meat to be considered serviceable (in good condition) and appropriately sized for the wearer. Boats over 16’ must have one Type IV PFD. All children must be wearing a Type I, II, or III PFD while on board.
- Visual Distress Signals (VDSs) – all mechanically propelled boats 16’ or greater in length or any smaller boat operating on high seas, coastal waters, or the Great Lakes; must have USCG approved VDSs for both daytime and night-time use. All boats 18’ or greater must carry a distress flag and three hand held red day/night flares. Flares must be for boat use (do not use road flares) and must not be past their expiration date. All boats operating at night must have VDSs, regardless of size, including manually propelled boats.
- Anchors – Mechanically propelled vessels must carry an anchor and line of sufficient weight and strength for the boat. The anchor line should be between 4-7 times the depth of the water in which you would normally anchor.
- Sounding Devices – All boats must have a whistle, bell or efficient sound producing device. Vessels over 39 ft. need a mechanical whistle or horn that can produce a blast for more two or more seconds and must have a bell on board. Boats over 65.6 ft. must carry a whistle and a bell that is audible for 1 nautical mile.
- Fire Extinguishers – All boats must have a USCG approved fire extinguisher on board.
For the full New York State Boating Requirement List Click Here
Get a Vessel Safety Check – VSC – a courtesy examination of your boat that verifies the presence and condition of required safety equipement. No citations are given out, it is a courtesy check to make sure your boat is USCG ready. Vessels that pass get a VSC decal to display on your boat that will let boarding officers know your boat is USCG ready and make an inspection easier. Find a VSC near you.
Age Restrictions: Children under 10 are not permitted to operate a boat. Children 10-18 Years of age must be accompanied by an adult over 18 or hold a Boating Safety Education Certificate when operating a boat. NY State Parks Department offers Boating Safety Education Courses.
Taking the Boat Out of State: Make sure your boat is following the proper guidelines for that state and that you have the proper certificates needed to operate a boat in that state. Some states require NY residents to have a NY state boating certificate to operate a boat in their state. Also, please make sure the Navigational Territory on your boat insurance policy includes that state.
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