Nothing new in New Jersey. Basically, the certification requirement was stimulated by the popularity of PWC, particularly by teenagers and 20's customers at the shore outlets for PWC rentals.
Thought you would enjoy this...
- Thread starter Brian D
- Start date
Well think of it as a poor's man Master's license. Take it to Roland together with a major credit card and he will charter you a pontoon boat for a few hours or use it to impress the girls at a bar.
These boater ed laws apply nationwide for operators of numbered and documented vessels. Generally operators that are older can be exempted under the assumption that old dogs have learned the tricks. Take the (NASBLA) National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (one day class, or online) and you get nationwide and Canadian reciprocity.
We've had this in NJ for years ... we had already taken ASA certifications but my wife and I both took the test ... she scored 2 point higher than I did ... kids also had to take it which was great. Mostly good information, tilted toward PWCs, and having been a powerboater, then sailor, then powerboater, and now sailor again ... I am a big supporter. We've reportedly had a significant reduction in the accident rate here in NJ, and I found the course gave me a decent idea of what others were expected to do. Any sailboat using any auxiliary power is indeed a powerboat whether motorsailing or not ... so I found it helpful in all settings.
