Boating Safety Certificate
 

Someone at work told me today someone without a certificate can operate a Waverunner on the lake if their with a passenger who has their certificate. I thought every operator had to be licensed?

I just looked it up an operator UNDER 16 can operate one in this situation.

I always thought anyone over 16 could drive a boat or ski as long as one person on board had a boating certificate. :confused: I'm not sure about under 16.

I don't think this is accurate. Here, from the NH Boater Manual:

"No one under the age of 16 years may operate a “ski craft” legally on any lake, pond, or river."

This *should* mean that everybody needs a license.

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Taken offline:


A vessel powered by more than 25 horsepower (other than a “ski craft”) may be operated by: A person under 16 years of age only if he or she is accompanied by a person 18 years old or older who has a valid Safe Boating Certificate.

I never got this, so to clarify a child can operate a boat other than a ski craft under supervision of an adult with a boaters certificate but another adult can't operator a boat under supervision of an adult with a boaters certificate....

Exactly. So, my 9-year-old can drive our pontoon under my license, but not our (soon-to-be) jetski. My wife, on the other hand, needed her license for both.

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If your (soon to be) jetski is a three seater, then it's considered a boat and can be driven by sub 16 year olds as well... as long as you're hanging off the back of it!

My son, now 16 with a boating certificate, has been driving our jetskis since he was 13. Just expect to get wet!

Cheers....

Gusman

Ah, yes, I missed this part: "...the capacity to carry no more than an operator and one other person."

My son will be happy!

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3 seater - Squam Lake
 

Since we're talking a 3 seater is a boat, it can go on Squam Lake.

Dave M

Hope this helps...

Minimum age for operation - http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/...270/270-30.htm

Operation of ski craft - http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/...270/270-74.htm

Definition of PWC/ ski craft - http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/...0/270-74-c.htm

The PWC section doesn't mention anything about number of seats, so it's complicated in terms of PWC, "ski craft," and boat.

In fact, based on that link, nobody under 16 can drive a PWC?

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I addressed this first hand with Marine Patrol late this Season (October).

The answer I got was that anyone under 16 CAN drive a boat (or other vesel) provided a licensed responsible driver is overseeing and is responsible for the craft. ANYONE OVER 16 MUST have a license of their own.

This was a very critical answer for me to find as my granddaughter routinely drives (learning) our boat. She just turned 16 this year.

Nothing like going directly to the source. Thanks Phantom


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I wonder why this exists/what it means?

"270:74 Operation of Ski Craft. –
I. No person shall operate a ski craft on any lake, pond, or river unless the person is 16 years of age or older."

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That refers to a two-seater.

A few years ago, a 15-year-old Massachusetts kid (operating a "ski-craft" solo) had died mysteriously directly across the harbor from my location. :eek:

If I'd glanced over my computer screen, I could have rescued the kid from whatever happened. :(

There are 2 definitions in play here...

1. 270:73 V. "Ski craft" means any motorized watercraft or private boat which is less than 13 feet in length as manufactured, is capable of exceeding a speed of 20 miles per hour, and has the capacity to carry not more than the operator and one other person while in operation. The term includes a jet ski, surf ski, fun ski, or other similar device. "Ski craft" does not include any watercraft or boat with twin hulls and which is greater than 11 feet long, greater than 5 feet wide, and powered by an outboard motor.


2. 270:74-C I. In this section, "personal water craft" means a motor boat 16 feet or less in length that is propelled by jet pump, not propellers, where the operator and riders stand, kneel, straddle, or sit on, rather than inside, the craft.

No matter what you drive... If you are over 16 you need a SBC. Under 16 can drive under the supervision of a person with an SBC.


http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/...270/270-73.htm

http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/...0/270-74-c.htm

Woodsy

Boating certificate
 

This would be a good post for the Marine Patrol to reply to with a very definitive answer.

I agree! Hopefully they see it.

The U.S. Coast Guard defines a personal water craft as a jet drive boat that is less than 13' in length, to differentiate the pwc from larger size vessels with jet drives.

So, how does that compare to the New Hampshire definition for a personal water craft?

http:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_watercraft

Saw one rider go by flasher buoy-3 today, on either a jet ski or personal water craft, at about 2-pm, heading north, moving along more slowly than usual, going maybe 20-25-mph, and wearing either a full wet suit, or a black dry suit & pfd.

I gave you the DEFINATIVE answer ….. read my post, how much clearer can it be. (post #13)

And here I was thinking that going to the RSA's listed on the NH.gov website was the definitive answer!

:laugh:

Never had a problem.
 

Guess I'm doing something illegal. I have one of those old 12' racing skiff that seats one. It has a 25 HP Merc outboard that is souped up. Not sure how fast it goes but being small it sure feels fast! I had it when I was a boy. I used to buzz around in it when I was 9 yr old. Same with my siblings and now my grandkids!
Since it seats one, I guess no one can use it until their 16. By that time it is a tight squeeze to get in! Can I consider it a toy?

If it’s 25 HP or less anyone can use it. No boating license required...let your grandkids enjoy it legally...

Dan