DEP: Boating Legislation
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2008 Boating Legislation
 
House Bill 5806 (An Act Concerning Boating Safety) amends boating statutes to incorporate by reference federal safety, navigation lighting and equipment requirements, to hold a person in control of a boat or personal watercraft responsible for permitting a person under sixteen years of age to operate a boat or personal watercraft without a safe boating certificate or certificate of personal watercraft operation, to authorize the Department of Environmental Protection to penalize persons teaching unapproved boating courses, to define the term "boat livery" and place certain restrictions on persons who rent and persons who operate rental boats.
(Full history of House Bill 5806)
 
A number of federal regulations are incorporated by reference into Connecticut boating statutes under House Bill 5806.
 
Summary of important boating law changes that go into effect October 1, 2008.

Children:

  • Children 12 and under must wear a life jacket when a vessel is underway unless in an enclosed cabin or below deck. (the age used to be 11 and under).
  • A child under 16 without a SBC may operate a vessel other than a PWC if under the direct supervision of a person 18 or older who has had their SBC or CPWO for at least 2 years.
  • Owners who knowingly permit a child under 16 to operate their vessel without an SBC or CPWO when one is required will be held accountable for the actions of the child.
  • (Reminder – not new) A child under 16 with a CPWO may operate a PWC if under the direct onboard supervision of a person 18 or older who has their CPWO.

Temporary Certificates:
  • Temporary CPWOs (issued after the 2.5 hour class) and SBCs are now good for three months only. It used to be six months.

Boat Livery:
  • A definition for a "Boat Livery" has now been included in the law. Previously it was not defined.
  • The rental agreement must be carried on board.
  • A rented vessel must be registered as a livery vessel.
  • A livery operator must not allow a renter to depart the boat livery in a rented vessel if the renter is required to have a SBC/CPWO but does not. (However, a renter can still operate a rented vessel - other than a PWC - for up to 14 days without a SBC/CPWO)

Boating Education:
  • A person taking a SBC class may operate a vessel without an SBC if under the direct supervision of a DEP-certified class instructor.
  • No person may teach an unsanctioned boating/PWC safety class that satisfies the requirements for issuance of a SBC.
  • No person may use State boating educational materials for their profit.

Equipment Requirements:
  • The federal laws for carrying safety equipment and for navigation lights on a vessel will now apply statewide.
  • Most specifically, boats 26 feet and up will no longer be required to have a bell until the vessel is 40 feet long or over






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