RHODE ISLAND STATE BOATING EDUCATION & AGE REQUIREMENTS
Any person born on or after January 1, 1986 operating a vessel fitted with propulsion machinery (such as a powerboat or auxiliary sailboat) of more than 10 horsepower must have successfully completed a state-approved boating education course. New residents of the state will be given 60 days to comply with this requirement. Exemptions to this requirement:
- A person who operates a vessel under training, directly supervised by a person on board who is at least 18 years old and has successfully completed an approved course (if applicable).
- A person who holds a valid U.S. Coast Guard commercial vessel operator’s license.
- Non-residents who are temporarily using Rhode Island waters and meet the requirements of their state.
Any person, regardless of age, operating a personal watercraft (PWC) must have successfully completed a state-approved boating safety education course or program.
MASSACHUSETTS STATE BOATING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Age and Certificate Requirements for Operating a Powerboat:
No person under 12 years of age may operate a motorboat unless accompanied on board and directly supervised by a competent person 18 years of age or older. No person whose age is 12 through 15 years may operate a motorboat unless one of the following requirements is satisfied:
- Passed a state-approved boating safety course and received a safety certificate
- Or is accompanied on board and directly supervised by a competent person 18 years of age of older
A person whose age is 16 years or older may operate a motorboat without adult supervision or a safety certificate.
Age and Certificate Requirements for Operating a PWC:
No person under 16 years of age may operate a personal watercraft (PWC) even if a competent adult is on board. No person whose age is 16 or 17 years may operate a personal watercraft unless he or she has passed a state and nationally approved boating safety course and received a safety certificate. A person whose age is 18 years or older may operate a PWC without adult supervision or a safety certificate.
State Requirements for Instructor
Instructor Certification:
Massachusetts recognizes US Sailing/US Powerboating Powerboat Instructor certification and there are not any additional instructor eligibility requirements to teach this course in Massachusetts.
CONNECTICUT STATE BOATING EDUCATION & AGE REQUIREMENTS
Any resident of Connecticut or person owning real property or a boat required to be registered or numbered in Connecticut must obtain a Safe Boating Certificate (SBC) or Certificate of Personal Watercraft Operation (CPWO) before operating powered vessels (regardless of size) and sailboats 19.5 feet in length or longer and powered only by sail.
Safe Boating Certificate (SBC): will allow a person to operate any recreational vessel, except a personal watercraft (PWC). To meet the requirements for a SBC, an individual must:
- Successfully complete an approved basic boating course and pass a proctored written exam; or
- Successfully pass an equivalency exam administered by the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (CT DEEP).
Certificate of Personal Watercraft Operation (CPWO): will allow a person to operate any recreational vessel including a personal watercraft (PWC). To meet the requirements for a CPWO, an individual must:
- Successfully complete an approved combination basic boating/personal watercraft course and pass a proctored written exam; or
- Pass an approved basic boating course and an approved 2-1/2 hour personal watercraft course; or
- Pass an equivalency exam administered by the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (CT DEEP).
Age Restrictions: a SBC or CPWO may be issued to any applicant regardless of age. However, the following age restrictions apply:
- Any boater less than 12 years of age who possesses a SBC or CPWO may operate a boat up to 10 HP alone. To operate a boat over 10 HP, the child must be accompanied onboard by a person at least 18 years of age who possesses a SBC or CPWO.
- No person under 16 years of age may operate a PWC alone.
- No person under 16 years of age may operate a PWC without a CPWO and the onboard supervision of a person who is at least 18 years of age and has a CPWO.
- A person under the age of 16 may operate a vessel, other than a PWC, without a SBC or CPWO, if under the direct supervision of a person at least 18 years of age who has had a boating certificate for at least 2 years.
- No person under 16 years of age may operate a vessel that is engaged in recreational towing activity, such as waterskiing or tubing.
Safe Waterskiing Endorsement: Any person operating a vessel in Connecticut that is towing someone on a device, including skis and inflatable devices (e.g. tubes) must satisfy the following requirements:
- Be 16 years of age or older; and
- Possess a valid boating certificate or operator’s license from Connecticut, a reciprocal state or the Coast Guard; and
- Possess a Connecticut Safe Waterskiing Endorsement, if they obtained their certificate or license after October 1, 2015.
CONNECTICUT STATE APPROVAL FOR THE POWERBOAT HANDLING COURSE
The Safe Powerboat Handling Course is a Connecticut approved combination basic boating/personal watercraft course, provided the course includes the state-specific course content, which is covered in the State of Connecticut State-Specific Education Requirements Course Supplement and the Waterskiing Safety Supplement, and either the Connecticut State-Specific Test A or Test B is used in addition to the 50-question US Sailing/US Powerboating Exam. Successful completion of the course will satisfy the requirements for a CPWO Certificate and a Safe Waterskiing Endorsement.
