Photo courtesy of Forrest Fisher All New York state powerboat operators in 2025 must become a certified boat operator by completing a NASBLA-Certified boater safety course.

With New Year’s Day earlier this month, New York state has mandated a law for boater safety education. All recreational boaters operating motorized vessels, including personal watercraft, will require boating safety certificates. This law is considered a critical step toward ensuring the safety of everyone on the water. Operators of nonmotorized boats, such as kayaks and canoes, are not currently required to have a boating safety certificate. That means that even though you may be elderly and have operated your fishing boat or family recreational boat for six or seven decades, you will still need a NYS Boater Safety Certificate/Operator Card. Boat operators are required to carry their safety certificate wherever they go on the water, or an anchor icon can be added to your New York driver’s license.

Everyone knows that a safe day on the water is a fun day on the water. The law came about as the result of a fatal boating accident in 2019 where Brianna Lieneck, an 11-year-old girl who died in a boating accident, and Brianna’s Law was born. The certificate is a lifetime license for the future. Courses are available in person and online, providing the convenience of choosing the course that best fits your needs. It takes about eight hours to complete the course, plus there is a final exam to pass. Youth must be at least 10 years old to take a NYS Safe Boating Course. Failure to comply can result in a fine of up to $250.

The New York Safe Boating Course teaches basic boating skills and encourages common sense and courtesy on the water. Boaters can earn their certificate by taking a classroom course with certified New York state instructors or through approved online courses. Certificates are issued by the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, a volunteer organization that supports the Coast Guard in all its nonmilitary, and non-law enforcement missions, America’s Boating Club, a national organization dedicated to boating safety and education, and US Powerboating, a national authority for powerboat training and education. Note that any National Association of State Boating Law Administrator-certified course from other states is recognized in New York.

BoatUS Foundation at https://www.boatus.org/newyork provides a certified online course that is free and recognized by New York. Other sources for the course include Drive-A-Boat-USA; their $59.95 fee includes the course, exam, and boating safety certificate, including unlimited attempts to complete the exam. You have a variety of options for online boating safety courses, such as Boat-Ed and Ace Boater for $39.95, BOAT smart and BOATERexam for $34.95, and the New York Quick Boater Course is available for $34.95 at this link: https://newyorkboatingcard.com/.

Lastly, don’t forget about the 2025 NYS Musky Expo this Saturday and Sunday (Feb. 1-2) at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel in Celoron. While this event is not directly related to boating safety, it’s a great opportunity to learn more about the boating community and connect with experts in the field. The Expo will feature a lineup of experts, including lure-makers, rod-makers, leader line experts, musky educators, fishery biologists and charter captains. Entry fees are $15 for one day and $20 for a two-day pass; kids 12 and under are free, and there is a $3 discount for active/retired/veterans and first responders with valid identification. See ‘ya there.

Gotta love the outdoors.

CALENDAR

Feb. 1: Kinzua Dam 16th annual eagle watch, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., visitors center, Warren County, Pa.; free entry all ages.

Feb. 1-2: NY Musky EXPO, Chautauqua Harbor Hotel, 10 Dunham Ave., Celoron, NY. Over 70 booths, live lure demo’s, lure swap night, more. Kids 12 and under are free. Info: 716-489-2800

Feb. 2: Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club, annual election Sunday, members only, 1 N. Mullet St., Dunkirk. 716-366-8836.

Feb. 2: Bear Lake Rod and Gun, monthly meeting, 4 p.m., 4391 Cassadaga-Stockton Road, Stockton. Info: call Rudy Abersold, 716-397-9717.

NOTE: Send Calendar info or related outdoor news to forrestfisher35@yahoo.com.