New Jersey State Police
Boating
Safety
Manual
S
A B
N L
A 1921
,LIGHTS REQUIRED ON BOATS BETWEEN SUNSET AND U.S. AIDS TO NAVI
SUNRISE AND AT ALL TIMES OF RESTRICTED VISIBILITY LATERAL SYSTEM (As seen entering from
Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 PORT SIDE STARBOA
ODD NUMBERED AIDS EVEN NUMB
GREEN LIGHT ONLY RED LIGHT ON
or FLASHING (2) FLASHING (2)
A FLASHING FLASHING
or B OCCULTING OCCULTING
B QUICK FLASHING QUICK FLASHING
or Inland
ISO ISO
Only
A B A
Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 9
G “9” “2”
Great Lakes
ONLY 1 FL G 4S
2
FL R 6
“1”
FL G 6S
LIGHT LIGHTED BUOY LIGHT
or or
B
or 9
A A B A B
G
5 G
6
R
C “9” “5” N “6”
Figure 8 CAN DAY BEACON NUN
PREFERRED CHANNEL PREFERRED
NO NUMBERS NO NUM
MAY BE LETTERED MAY BE L
PREFERRED CHANNEL PREFERRED
TO STARBOARD TO P
TOPMOST BAND GREEN TOPMOST
GREEN LIGHT ONLY RED LIGHT ON
COMPOSITE GROUP FLASHING (2-1) COMPOSITE GROU
RANGE AND DEGREE OF VISIBILITY OF LIGHTS
Inland and International
A
Location Visible Range Degree
(In Nautical Miles) of Visibility GR “A” RG “B”
Less than 12M/12M to 50M FL(2+1) G 6S FL(2+1) R 6S
Masthead light 2/3 225
S
All-around light 2/2 360 C
or
U GR GR
RG
N “C”
Side lights 1/2 112.5 “U” C “S”
Stern light 2/2 135 DAY BEACON CAN NUN
, Table of Contents
NEW JERSEY SAFE BOATING ...................................................... 1
Boating Safety Education & Minimum Age Requirements .............2
Non-Tidal Boat License ...................................................................3
Navigation Rules..............................................................................4
CHAPTER 1
Registration, Titling & Documentation ....................................... 6
Vessel Titling....................................................................................6
Boat Registration ............................................................................7
Registration Required ......................................................................7
Documented Vessels ........................................................................8
Numbering System & Display .........................................................8
Validation Decal ...............................................................................9
Obtaining Applications ..................................................................10
Change of Residence......................................................................10
CHAPTER 2
Equipment ............................................................................... 11
Muffling Device ............................................................................. 11
Coast Guard Approved Equipment ................................................ 11
Flame Arresters (Backfire Flame Control) ..................................... 11
Sound Signaling Appliances For Vessels Less Than 20 Meters
(65’6”) ............................................................................................12
Personal Flotation Devices ............................................................12
Wearing of PFDs by Children 12 and Under .................................14
Fire Extinguishers ..........................................................................15
Marine Sanitation Devices (MSDs) ...............................................16
Visual Distress Signals: The Regulations ......................................17
Visual Distress Signals: Handling and Storage ..............................18
Visual Distress Signals Types ........................................................19
Visual Distress Warning.... .............................................................20
Minimum Required Equipment by Length of Boat .......................21
Meter-feet Conversions ..................................................................24
Rev. 03/11
,CHAPTER 3
Operator’s Responsibilities .......................................................25
Power-Driven Vessels .................................................................... 25
International ................................................................................. 25
Inland ........................................................................................... 25
Sailing Vessels & Vessels Under Oars ........................................... 26
International & Inland .................................................................. 26
Lights Used When Anchored
International & Inland .................................................................. 26
Found Vessels............................................................................... 27
Boating Accidents/Duties In Case of Accidents ............................ 27
Speed .............................................................................................. 28
Operating a Vessel Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor,
Drugs or Narcotics ......................................................................... 29
Reckless or Careless Operation Forbidden .................................... 32
Personal Watercraft ....................................................................... 32
Waterskiing .................................................................................... 34
Skin Diving .................................................................................... 35
Watercraft Noise Control ............................................................... 35
Racing ............................................................................................ 36
Race Test Permits ........................................................................... 36
Loading Your Boat ......................................................................... 47
Water Pollution and the Recreational Boater ................................. 38
Discharge of Oil Prohibited ........................................................... 38
Electrical Shock ............................................................................. 38
CHAPTER 4
For Your Protection ...................................................................39
Security Afloat ............................................................................... 39
Report Stolen Boats and Equipment .............................................. 41
Bargain Deals ................................................................................. 42
Marine Radio Information ............................................................. 42
Float Plan .............................................................................. 42 & 43
Equipment Checklist ...................................................................... 44
Marine Law Enforcement Stations ................................................ 45
Navigation Aids ............................................................................. 46
, NEW JERSEY SAFE BOATING
The objective of the boating safety program is to reduce the
risk of loss of life, injury and property damage associated with
the use of the state’s waterways.
The state recognizes the need for safe boating and highly rec-
ommends that the boating enthusiasts make themselves thor-
oughly familiar with all of the laws, regulations and other in-
formation contained in this booklet. Boating is best enjoyed
when the boater is knowledgeable and diligent in observing
safety precautions. Rules and regulations quoted herein are
most commonly used.
New Jersey has adopted the Navigational Rules International-
Inland and the Code of Federal Regulations as the standards
for vessel equipment and operation. The Navigational Rules
and the Code of Federal Regulations can be purchased either
at a boat supply store or through a boating catalog. In addition
to these standards, other laws, rules, and regulations have been
adopted for the waters of this State.
Consult local authorities for information on local ordinances.
For more information on Boating Safety, Rules &
Regulations, and Boating Safety Certificates,
visit www.njsp.org/maritime.
Boating Safety Course information may be located at:
www.cgaux.org • www.usps.org • www.BOATUS.com
Boating Safety Courses must be completed in person.
1
, BOATING SAFETY EDUCATION
& MINIMUM AGE MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS
Are you 16 years old or older?
No Yes
Are you 13 years Do you have a NJ
No of age but less No Boating Safety
than 16 years Certificate?
of age?
You cannot operate
Are you under any power vessel Yes
13 years of age? Yes on NJ waters.
You can operate
Do you have a NJ any power vessel
Yes No Boating Safety including personal
Certificate? watercraft on NJ
waters.
You cannot operate
any power vessel Yes
on NJ waters.
You may operate
vessel powered
solely by an
electric motor or a
vessel 12 ft. long
or longer with less
than 10 HP.
1) There are NO EXEMPTIONS to N.J. age requirements.
2) Out-of-state residents who are at least 16 years old and in
New Jersey for less than 90 days may operate a power ves-
sel on the waters of the State of New Jersey if they possess
a certificate issued by their state of residence or they have
in their possession written proof of successful completion
of a boat safety course approved by another state, the U.S.
Coast Guard, or the National Association of State Boating
Law Administrators (NASBLA).
2
Boating
Safety
Manual
S
A B
N L
A 1921
,LIGHTS REQUIRED ON BOATS BETWEEN SUNSET AND U.S. AIDS TO NAVI
SUNRISE AND AT ALL TIMES OF RESTRICTED VISIBILITY LATERAL SYSTEM (As seen entering from
Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 PORT SIDE STARBOA
ODD NUMBERED AIDS EVEN NUMB
GREEN LIGHT ONLY RED LIGHT ON
or FLASHING (2) FLASHING (2)
A FLASHING FLASHING
or B OCCULTING OCCULTING
B QUICK FLASHING QUICK FLASHING
or Inland
ISO ISO
Only
A B A
Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 9
G “9” “2”
Great Lakes
ONLY 1 FL G 4S
2
FL R 6
“1”
FL G 6S
LIGHT LIGHTED BUOY LIGHT
or or
B
or 9
A A B A B
G
5 G
6
R
C “9” “5” N “6”
Figure 8 CAN DAY BEACON NUN
PREFERRED CHANNEL PREFERRED
NO NUMBERS NO NUM
MAY BE LETTERED MAY BE L
PREFERRED CHANNEL PREFERRED
TO STARBOARD TO P
TOPMOST BAND GREEN TOPMOST
GREEN LIGHT ONLY RED LIGHT ON
COMPOSITE GROUP FLASHING (2-1) COMPOSITE GROU
RANGE AND DEGREE OF VISIBILITY OF LIGHTS
Inland and International
A
Location Visible Range Degree
(In Nautical Miles) of Visibility GR “A” RG “B”
Less than 12M/12M to 50M FL(2+1) G 6S FL(2+1) R 6S
Masthead light 2/3 225
S
All-around light 2/2 360 C
or
U GR GR
RG
N “C”
Side lights 1/2 112.5 “U” C “S”
Stern light 2/2 135 DAY BEACON CAN NUN
, Table of Contents
NEW JERSEY SAFE BOATING ...................................................... 1
Boating Safety Education & Minimum Age Requirements .............2
Non-Tidal Boat License ...................................................................3
Navigation Rules..............................................................................4
CHAPTER 1
Registration, Titling & Documentation ....................................... 6
Vessel Titling....................................................................................6
Boat Registration ............................................................................7
Registration Required ......................................................................7
Documented Vessels ........................................................................8
Numbering System & Display .........................................................8
Validation Decal ...............................................................................9
Obtaining Applications ..................................................................10
Change of Residence......................................................................10
CHAPTER 2
Equipment ............................................................................... 11
Muffling Device ............................................................................. 11
Coast Guard Approved Equipment ................................................ 11
Flame Arresters (Backfire Flame Control) ..................................... 11
Sound Signaling Appliances For Vessels Less Than 20 Meters
(65’6”) ............................................................................................12
Personal Flotation Devices ............................................................12
Wearing of PFDs by Children 12 and Under .................................14
Fire Extinguishers ..........................................................................15
Marine Sanitation Devices (MSDs) ...............................................16
Visual Distress Signals: The Regulations ......................................17
Visual Distress Signals: Handling and Storage ..............................18
Visual Distress Signals Types ........................................................19
Visual Distress Warning.... .............................................................20
Minimum Required Equipment by Length of Boat .......................21
Meter-feet Conversions ..................................................................24
Rev. 03/11
,CHAPTER 3
Operator’s Responsibilities .......................................................25
Power-Driven Vessels .................................................................... 25
International ................................................................................. 25
Inland ........................................................................................... 25
Sailing Vessels & Vessels Under Oars ........................................... 26
International & Inland .................................................................. 26
Lights Used When Anchored
International & Inland .................................................................. 26
Found Vessels............................................................................... 27
Boating Accidents/Duties In Case of Accidents ............................ 27
Speed .............................................................................................. 28
Operating a Vessel Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor,
Drugs or Narcotics ......................................................................... 29
Reckless or Careless Operation Forbidden .................................... 32
Personal Watercraft ....................................................................... 32
Waterskiing .................................................................................... 34
Skin Diving .................................................................................... 35
Watercraft Noise Control ............................................................... 35
Racing ............................................................................................ 36
Race Test Permits ........................................................................... 36
Loading Your Boat ......................................................................... 47
Water Pollution and the Recreational Boater ................................. 38
Discharge of Oil Prohibited ........................................................... 38
Electrical Shock ............................................................................. 38
CHAPTER 4
For Your Protection ...................................................................39
Security Afloat ............................................................................... 39
Report Stolen Boats and Equipment .............................................. 41
Bargain Deals ................................................................................. 42
Marine Radio Information ............................................................. 42
Float Plan .............................................................................. 42 & 43
Equipment Checklist ...................................................................... 44
Marine Law Enforcement Stations ................................................ 45
Navigation Aids ............................................................................. 46
, NEW JERSEY SAFE BOATING
The objective of the boating safety program is to reduce the
risk of loss of life, injury and property damage associated with
the use of the state’s waterways.
The state recognizes the need for safe boating and highly rec-
ommends that the boating enthusiasts make themselves thor-
oughly familiar with all of the laws, regulations and other in-
formation contained in this booklet. Boating is best enjoyed
when the boater is knowledgeable and diligent in observing
safety precautions. Rules and regulations quoted herein are
most commonly used.
New Jersey has adopted the Navigational Rules International-
Inland and the Code of Federal Regulations as the standards
for vessel equipment and operation. The Navigational Rules
and the Code of Federal Regulations can be purchased either
at a boat supply store or through a boating catalog. In addition
to these standards, other laws, rules, and regulations have been
adopted for the waters of this State.
Consult local authorities for information on local ordinances.
For more information on Boating Safety, Rules &
Regulations, and Boating Safety Certificates,
visit www.njsp.org/maritime.
Boating Safety Course information may be located at:
www.cgaux.org • www.usps.org • www.BOATUS.com
Boating Safety Courses must be completed in person.
1
, BOATING SAFETY EDUCATION
& MINIMUM AGE MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS
Are you 16 years old or older?
No Yes
Are you 13 years Do you have a NJ
No of age but less No Boating Safety
than 16 years Certificate?
of age?
You cannot operate
Are you under any power vessel Yes
13 years of age? Yes on NJ waters.
You can operate
Do you have a NJ any power vessel
Yes No Boating Safety including personal
Certificate? watercraft on NJ
waters.
You cannot operate
any power vessel Yes
on NJ waters.
You may operate
vessel powered
solely by an
electric motor or a
vessel 12 ft. long
or longer with less
than 10 HP.
1) There are NO EXEMPTIONS to N.J. age requirements.
2) Out-of-state residents who are at least 16 years old and in
New Jersey for less than 90 days may operate a power ves-
sel on the waters of the State of New Jersey if they possess
a certificate issued by their state of residence or they have
in their possession written proof of successful completion
of a boat safety course approved by another state, the U.S.
Coast Guard, or the National Association of State Boating
Law Administrators (NASBLA).
2
