The anchor symbol on the lower right of this New York State Adventure License lets law enforcement know you’ve met the requirements for Brianna’s Law. (Credit: New York State DMV)
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ALBANY, N.Y., December 30, 2024 – As of January 1, 2025, all New York motorboat operators – regardless of age – must have a boating safety certificate. To earn a certificate, the nonprofit BoatUS Foundation offers a no-cost online boating safety course at BoatUS.org/Free that is approved by the National Association of Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA). The course can be taken in the comfort of home and fits busy schedules, with course takers able to stop and return to lessons anytime. Funding to keep the course free comes mainly from generous donations by BoatUS members.

Behind this deadline is the 2019 Brianna’s Law, which boosted the state’s safety education requirements for boaters. Now, with the law’s five-year phase-in period sunsetting December 31, 2024, all Empire State motorboat and PWC operators need a boating safety certificate in 2025. The law was named after Brianna Lieneck, an 11-year-old Long Island girl who was killed in a 2005 boating accident. U.S. Coast Guard statistics show that boating fatalities drop when vessel operators have taken a course and earned a boating safety education certificate.

Upon course completion, course takers may immediately print their boating safety certificate at no charge, which is valid for 90 days, order a permanent card for $15, or apply for an Adventure License that marks their New York DMV-issued driver’s license with an anchor symbol indicating proof of course completion, which costs $13.50.

In New York, children under 10 may not operate a motor vessel, and they must be at least 14 years old to operate a personal watercraft. For boaters visiting or cruising New York waters, any course approved by the National Association of Boating Law Administrators fulfills the state requirement. Look for the NASBLA logo on your state’s certificate.

More than 2.5 million students have taken the BoatUS Foundation’s online Boating Safety Courses to date, which provides approved boating safety education in 37 states including New York.

For more, go to BoatUS.org/NewYork.

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About the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water:

The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is a national leader promoting safe, clean and responsible boating. Funded primarily by donations from the more than 725,000 members of Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS), the nonprofit provides innovative educational outreach directly to boaters and anglers with the aim of reducing accidents and fatalities, increasing stewardship of America's waterways, and keeping boating safe for all. A range of safe and clean boating courses – including the nation's largest free online boating safety course – can be found at BoatUS.org/Courses. The Foundation is rated 4 out of 4 stars by Charity Navigator, an independent charity assessment organization.