Marine Learning Center

What are the New Boating Safety Requirements?

Beginning January 1, 2024, anyone born on/after January 1, 1999, may not operate a motorboat of greater than 25 horsepower for recreational purposes on Maine inland or territorial waters (tidal waters out to 3 miles from shore), unless that person is 12 years of age or older and has completed a boater safety and education course. These persons must possess and present a boater safety and education course certificate for inspection upon request to a law enforcement officer. There are a few exemptions, such as for registered Maine guides (hunting, fishing, and recreational guides only), commercial fishermen (only when fishing), daily boat renters, and merchant mariners.

What is considered recreational boating?

“Recreational boating” means operating a motorboat primarily for the operator’s pleasure or leasing, renting, or chartering a motorboat to another person for the other person’s pleasure. “Recreational boating” does not include using a motorboat engaged in the carriage of passengers for hire.

What is considered Maine inland and territorial waters?

Maine waters are all lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams within the state of Maine are considered inland waters. Territorial waters means all waters of the State within the rise and fall of the tide seaward to the three nautical-mile line as shown on the most recently published Federal Government nautical chart but does not include areas above any fishway or dam when that fishway or dam is the dividing  line between tidewater and fresh water.

Do I need a license?

Maine does not have a “boating license.” The Boating Safety Education Card is proof of successful completion of the educational requirements and is valid for life.

I was born on or after Jan. 1, 1999 and want to operate a boat on Maine waters.  Do I need a Boating Safety and Education Course?

Yes, if you operate a motorboat greater than twenty-five (25) horsepower, Maine law requires anyone who was born on or after Jan. 1, 1999 to successfully complete a NASBLA approved Boating Safety Education Course and obtain the Boating Safety Education Card.

I am under the age of 12 years old; can I operate a motorboat less than 25 hp alone on Maine waters without a Boating Safety and Education Course?

Anyone under the age of 12 may operate a motorboat alone on Maine waters as long as the engine is less than 10 horsepower. Anyone under the age of 12 may operate a motorboat if the motor is between 10 horsepower and 25 horsepower but must have supervision.

Do I need a Boating Safety and Education Course to supervise a youth who wants to operate a boat?

Beginning January 1, 2024, if a person is under 12 years of age and wants to operate a motorboat with a motor greater than 10 horsepower, the supervisor, if the supervisor is born after January 1, 1999, must be 16 years of age or older and have completed a Boater Safety Education Course.

I would like to operate a personal watercraft (Jet ski, Sea-doo) by myself on Maine waters.  What are the age requirements?

Beginning January 1, 2024, a person born on or after January 1, 1999 must be 16 years of age or older and have completed a Boater Safety and Education Course to operate a personal watercraft on inland waters and territorial waters of the State.

I have already taken a NASBLA approved Boating Safety and Education Course in another state years ago.  Do I need to take the course again?

No, regardless of where and when you took the course as long as it is a NASBLA approved course.  If you cannot find your card you can call the state’s recreational safety office or the vendor that you took the online course with, and they will reissue another certificate/ wallet card.

I am a Maine commercial fisherman.  Do I need to take a Boating Safety and Education Course?

When engaged in commercial fishing activities the Boating Safety and Education Course is not required. However, commercial fishermen are not exempt when boating for recreational purposes.

I am a registered Maine Guide.  Do I need to take a Boating Safety and Education Course?

Registered Maine hunting, fishing, recreational, and tidewater classification guides do not need to take a mandatory Boater Education and Safety Course.

I plan to test drive a motorboat that is registered and that is offered for sale by a dealer that has been issued a watercraft dealer’s certificate of number and the person is under the direct supervision of a person 16 years of age or older who has completed a Boating Education Safety Course. Do I need a Boating Safety and Education Course?

No.

I would like to rent a boat for the day.  Do I need to take a Boating Safety and Education Course?

If you possess a rental or lease agreement that lists the person as an authorized operator of the motorboat and the person has completed a temporary boater safety course provided by the rental agent who has been issued a certificate of number.  A renter or lessor meeting the requirements may operate the rented or leased motorboat for up to 14 days from the date of course completion or for the duration of that rental agreement.

I am not a citizen of the United States and will be arriving to Maine by sea on my sailboat or motorboat.  Do I need to complete a Boating Safety and Education Course?

No, if you have arrived in the United States by sea and the boat is temporarily operating on territorial waters for 60 days or less no Boating Safety Education Course is required.

FAQs Current as of December 29, 2023 (www.Maine.gov)

Weekly Schedule
Tuesday 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Thursday 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Saturday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (1 hr lunch)

Our alumni run passenger ferries, commercial landing craft, sight seeing boats, commercial fishing vessels, water taxis, tow boats, sail and fishing charters and more.

This 80-hour course meets three times a week for five weeks, with exams on the 6th Saturday. Students who successfully complete the course will receive a certificate good for one year that will satisfy the examination requirement for a USCG Master 100 Tons Near Coastal. You will not test with the USCG.