It's the Law: Before Going Out

Who May Operate a Vessel

A vessel powered by 25 horsepower or less does not require the operator to have a Safe Boater Education Certificate.

A "ski craft" may be operated only by persons who are 16 years old or older and who have a valid Safe Boater Education Certificate as required by the "Schedule for Boater Education."

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 Boater Education Certificate. The accompanying person is responsible for any injury or damage caused during operation of the vessel.
• A person 16 years of age or older only if he or she has obtained a Safe Boater Education Certificate as required by the "Schedule for Boater Education."

A Safe Boater Education Certificate may be obtained by persons 16 years of age or older only and must be carried on board.

• Effective January 1, 2007, persons will be eligible to apply for a Safe Boater Education Certificate only by successfully passing one of the following:
  • A proctored examination administered as part of a classroom boating safety course approved by the New Hampshire Marine Patrol
  • A proctored equivalency examination approved by the New Hampshire Marine Patrol
• The home-study and Internet courses are still available after January 1, 2007. The course completion certificate that you obtain by passing one of these courses will admit you to the proctored equivalency examination.

Operators who have obtained a Safe Boater Education Certificate prior to January 1, 2007, will not be required to retake a course or an examination.

Boater Education Certification—Required for all operators of vessels powered by more than 25 horsepower