Come for the Boating Education…Stay for the Friends America’s Boating Course 3 rd Edition 1 State & Local Regulations Chapter 2 Section 8 MASSACHUSETTS >>

Come for the Boating Education…Stay for the Friends >> 2 Boating Safety Certificate (BSC) BSC when required - with operator PWC – operator minimum age must have BSC 18 and over no restrictions Motorboats – operator minimum age must have BSC Under 12 w/ direct supervision by 18

Come for the Boating Education…Stay for the Friends 3 Safety Requirements Most state equipment carriage requirement similar to Federal Law Additionally – Anchor and sufficient rode Manual bailer Paddle or oar on less than 16 ft as back-up propulsion Ski tow boats must have ladder Life jackets

Come for the Boating Education…Stay for the Friends 4 Safety Requirements Approved USCG Life Jackets (PFDs) required worn by: Youth less than 12 years of age Personal Watercraft users Persons engaged in water skiing or similar activity such as tubing, wakeboarding or knee boarding water skiers Canoeist/kayakers from Sept 15 – May 15 Stand Up Paddleboard – recommended

Come for the Boating Education…Stay for the Friends >> 5 Registration Requirements Any boat that can be powered by a motor and used on a public waterway must have a “Certificate of Number” from Massachusetts Environmental Police, Bureau of Registration and Titling. Two-year registration. Personal watercraft (PWC) Canoes or sailboats that use motors Commercially documented vessels are exempt CT validation sticker is placed 2” to the right of numbers

Come for the Boating Education…Stay for the Friends 6 Registration Requirements Boat Trailers must be registered Equipped with tire fenders Have two tail lights, directional lights and safety chains If over 8 feet 6 inches wide, check with DMV for need of wide-load permit To register need bill of sale, name / address of seller, proof of paying sales tax, pencil tracing of HIN and signed Registration and Titling application

Come for the Boating Education…Stay for the Friends Minimum age to operate alone - 16 All aboard must wear PFD (not inflatable) Attach the safety engine cut-off lanyard to operator No operation between sunset and sunrise, under the influence of alcohol, at high speeds in congested areas, on waters under 75 acres >> 7 Personal Watercraft (PWC)

Come for the Boating Education…Stay for the Friends No passenger is permitted in front of the PWC operator Any passenger on a PWC must be able to plant their feet on the floor deck of the vessel Water skiing from a PWC is legal from sunrise to sunset only CAN NOT TOW BEHIND A PWC IN COMM. OF MA WATERS! >> 8 Personal Watercraft (PWC)

Come for the Boating Education…Stay for the Friends 9 Personal Watercraft (PWC) No person shall operate a PWC at a speed in excess of “slow, no-wake” within 200 feet of shore or within 200 feet of any dock, pier, float, or anchored or moored vessel Exception when landing or taking off a person water skiing, then no-wake within 100 feet of the same No person shall operate a PWC with a “kill switch” unless the device is attached via a lanyard to the operator in such a manner that it will shut off the machine should the operator become ejected

Come for the Boating Education…Stay for the Friends Boating Accidents If involved in a boating accident that: Results in death of a person The disappearance of a person under circumstances which suggest any possibility of death or injury Any injury requiring medical attention Property damage exceeding $500 In these circumstances, must immediately report to Massachusetts Environmental Police >> 10

Come for the Boating Education…Stay for the Friends Prohibited Operations Boating Under the Influence (BUI) Within 150 feet of swimming areas Excessive speeds considering weather, boat traffic and hazards Over 45 mph on inland waters Operating with inoperable lights Towing persons at night Speed over 6 mph in restricted areas Overloaded or persons on bow/gunnel 11

Come for the Boating Education…Stay for the Friends 12 Diving and Underwater Operations Divers shall remain in an area within 100 feet of such flag displayed from a float or boat while at or near the surface of the water A boat operator within sight of a divers flag shall proceed with caution and within 100 feet of such flag shall proceed at a speed not to exceed 3 MPH Divers and underwater swimmers must display the “Diver Down” flag

Come for the Boating Education…Stay for the Friends Boating Under the Influence (BUI) >> 13 Operating Under the Influence Having a breath-alcohol concentration of.08% or more The effects of alcohol are exacerbated by boater’s fatigue.

Come for the Boating Education…Stay for the Friends Trailer boaters should remove visible mud, plants, fish or animals from boats and trailers prior to transport to another body of water. Scrape any mussels from boat or outdrive, and flush hull, bilges & water holding compartments with hot water (at least 120º F or use 1 quart / gal of vinegar). Do not release plants or fish, including bait, into a body of water unless it came out of that same body of water. To prevent the spread of non-native fish and mollusks in our waterways, boaters should follow these simple rules: Aquatic Nuisances 14

Come for the Boating Education…Stay for the Friends Pump fresh water through engines before leaving the area. Empty water out of kayaks, canoes, rafts, etc. Let boat, PWC's, trailer and equipment dry for at least 5 days. Aquatic Nuisances 15Come for the boating education … Stay for the friends

Come for the Boating Education…Stay for the Friends End Chapter 2 16 END