New Jersey Boating Safety Course: New Jersey's Legal Requirements of Boating Exam Question and Answers [100% Correct] 2025 Latest Version!!

New Jersey Boating Safety Course: New Jersey's Legal Requirements of Boating Exam Question and Answers [100% Correct] 2025 Latest Version!! ### Vessels Requiring Registration Any vessel longer than 12 feet must be titled. In New Jersey, all titled vessels need to be registered. Furthermore, any mechanically propelled vessel, regardless of its size, is required to be registered. ### Exempt Vessels from Registration Non-powered vessels that are 12 feet or less in length, including: - Inflatable, non-motorized vessels - Surfboards, racing shells, or tenders solely used for transporting passengers between a vessel and shore - Non-motorized kayaks or canoes - Non-powered sailboats or vessels operating exclusively in small lakes or ponds entirely within private properties - Vessels from other states that are registered or documented and temporarily operate in New Jersey waters ### Where to Obtain and Store a Registration Card Vessel registration application forms are available at marinas, boat dealerships, Motor Vehicle Commission field offices, or can be requested by mail at: State of New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission P.O. Box 160 Trenton, NJ 08666 1 The registration must be kept onboard and available for inspection while operating the vessel. ### How to Display the Registration Number The registration number must be: - Painted, applied as a decal, or affixed to both sides of the bow - Readable from left to right on both sides of the bow - Displayed in at least three-inch-high BLOCK letters - In a color that contrasts with the background - Separated by a hyphen or equivalent space (e.g., NJ 3717 ZW or NJ-3717-ZW) - No other numbers should appear on the bow - Validation decals must be placed on both sides of the vessel, three inches behind the registration number This requirement applies to Personal Watercraft (PWCs) as well. ### Hull Identification Number (HIN) The Hull Identification Number (HIN) is a 12-digit, unique number assigned by the manufacturer to vessels built after 1972. It serves the same purpose as a vehicle’s serial number. - The HIN is engraved on the fiberglass or a metal plate attached to the transom. - In New Jersey, the HIN must appear on the registration application. ### Operator Age and Education **PWC**: - Must be 16 or older and have completed an approved boating safety course (certificate required). **Motorized Vessels (excluding PWCs)**: - Operators aged 13–16 must complete a safety course if operating electric-powered vessels or those longer than 12 feet with less than 10 horsepower (certificate required). 2 ### Non-Tidal Boat License A non-tidal boat license is only required for boating on waters where the tide does not change. This license is separate from the New Jersey Boat Safety Certificate and is issued through the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC). The New Jersey Boat Safety Certificate must be presented to obtain a non t idal boat license. ### Exceptions to the Non-Tidal Boat License Requirement Operators are exempt from the non-tidal boat license requirement if: - Operating vessels powered by a motor of less than 1 horsepower or a 12-volt electric motor - Operating vessels 12 feet or longer with less than 10 horsepower - Holding written proof of completing a boating safety course similar to New Jersey’s, from another state - Participating in an authorized marine event ### Requirements for Non-New Jersey Residents For non-residents boating in New Jersey for less than 90 days: - Must be at least 16 years old - Must have proof of successful completion of a boat safety course approved by their state, the USCG, or NASBLA. ### Careless or Reckless Operation Careless or reckless operation refers to actions that endanger the safety of people, property, or the vessel itself, such as: - Jumping wakes of other vessels too close - Jumping the wake of vessels towing skiers, wakeboarders, etc. - Operating in prohibited areas - Weaving through congested waterways - Creating hazardous wake conditions when approaching or passing other vessels - Approaching within 50 feet of a diver's flag, unless part of the diving operation - Swerving to avoid collisions at the last moment 3 - Disturbing wildlife with your vessel ### Improper Speed or Distance Operating a vessel at an unsafe speed or distance, including: - Exceeding safe limits for the waterway, traffic, weather, and other conditions - Damaging property or causing injury from the wake - Operating a power vessel faster than "no wake" speed in a "slow speed/no wake" zone or on plane in such areas. Exceeding "slow speed/no wake" when passing: Vessels not under command such as anchored vessels Work barges or floats that are engaged in construction Emergency vessels (displaying flashing lights) Within 200 feet of a marina, pier, dock, or wharf Through bridge openings of 400 feet or less in width Through lagoons, canals, or confined areas less than 200 feet in width Unsafe Conditions (Illegal) Part 1 Overloading Riding in an Unsafe Position Failure to Use Engine Cut-Off Switch 4 There are insufficient personal flotation devices, fire extinguishers, backfire flame arrestors, ventilation, or navigation lights. The vessel is leaking fuel or has fuel in the bilges. Driving drunk or intoxicated (or allowing someone else to) BAC 0.08 If the person had a BAC of 0.08% or more but less than 0.10%, the person may... receive a fine of up to $400, loss of boating privileges for a year, and loss of their vehicle driver's license for three months. If the person had a BAC of 0.10% or more or was under the influence of drugs, the person may... receive a fine of up to $500, loss of boating privileges for a year, and loss of their vehicle driver's license for 7 to 12 months. More serious penalties for operating a vessel intoxicated More serious penalties exist for multiple convictions, including jail time and loss of boating privileges and vehicle driver's license for up to 10 years. Unsafe conditions (illegal) part 2 Operate any vessel in such a way that it will interfere unnecessarily with the safe navigation of other vessels on the waterway. Anchor a vessel in the traveled portion of a river or channel in a way that will prevent or interfere with any other vessel passing through the same area. Moor or attach a vessel to a buoy (other than a mooring buoy), beacon, light, or any other navigational aid placed on public waters by proper authorities. Move, displace, tamper with, damage, or destroy any navigational aid. Obstruct a pier, wharf, boat ramp, or access to any facility. 5 Homeland Security Restrictions Do not approach within 100 yards and slow to minimum speed within 500 yards of any U.S. Naval vessel. If you need to pass within 100 yards of a U.S. Naval vessel for safe passage, you must contact the U.S. Naval vessel or the USCG escort vessel on VHF-FM channel 16. Observe and avoid all security zones. Avoid commercial port operation areas, especially those that involve military, cruise line, or petroleum facilities. Observe and avoid other restricted areas near dams, power plants, etc. Do not stop or anchor beneath bridges or in the channel. If you see something say something Specific PFD Requirements All vessels must have at least one USCG-approved wearable Type I, II, or III, or V PFD for each person on board or being towed. All vessels 16 feet or longer, except canoes and kayaks, also must carry one USCG-approved throwable Type IV device. All children 12 years of age or younger must wear a PFD whenever they are on a vessel that is underway unless they are in a fully enclosed, non-removable cabin. A PWC may not be operated unless each person on board is wearing a USCG-approved Type I, II, III, or V PFD. Every person being towed behind a vessel on water skis, aquaplanes, or any similar devices must wear a USCG-approved Type I, II, III, or V PFD. All PFDs must be in good and serviceable condition and be readily accessible. The PFDs must be of the proper size for the intended wearer. Sizing for PFDs is based on body weight and chest size. 6 Type I PFDs: Wearable Offshore Life Jackets These vests are geared for rough or remote waters where rescue may take a while. They provide the most buoyancy, are excellent for flotation, and will turn most unconscious persons face up in the water. Type II PFDs: Wearable Near-Shore Vests These vests are good for calm waters when quick assistance or rescue is likely. Type II vests will turn some unconscious wearers face up in the water, but the turning is not as pronounced as with a Type I. Type III PFDs: Wearable Flotation Aids These vests or full-sleeved jackets are good for calm waters when quick assistance or rescue is likely. They are not recommended for rough waters because they will not turn most unconscious persons face up. Type III PFDs are used for water sports, such as water-skiing. Some Type III PFDs are designed to inflate when you enter the water. Type IV PFDs: Throwable Devices (Not Wearable) These cushions and ring buoys are designed to be thrown to someone in trouble. Because a throwable device is not designed to be worn, it is neither for rough waters nor for persons who are unable to hold onto it. Type V PFDs: Special-Use Devices These vests, deck suits, hybrid PFDs, and others are designed for specific activities, such as windsurfing, kayaking, or water-skiing. Some Type V PFDs are designed to inflate when you enter the water. To be acceptable, Type V PFDs must be worn and used in accordance with their label. Types of Fire Extinguishers: Type A f ires are of combustible solids such as wood. On Type A extinguishers, the number relates to how many gallons of water the extinguisher is equal to for a Type A f ire. Types of Fire Extinguishers: Type B f ires are of flammable liquids such as gasoline or oil. On Type B extinguishers, the number tells you the square footage of the fire the extinguisher can put out. Types of Fire Extinguishers: Type C numbers. Fire Extinguishers Requirements f ires are electrical fires. Type C extinguishers do not use All Vessels need a type B fire extinguisher if... 7 Inboard engines Closed compartments under seats where portable fuel tanks may be stored Double bottoms not sealed to the hull or not completely filled with flotation materials Closed living spaces Closed storage compartments in which flammable or combustible materials are stowed Permanently installed fuel tanks Fire Extinguisher Needed: Vessel is less than 26 feet Wit Fixed System: none Without Fixed System: one 5-B Fire Extinguisher Needed: Vessel is 26 feet to less than 40 feet One 20-B With Fixed System: one 5-B Fire Extinguisher Needed: Vessel is 40 feet to less than 65 feet one 20-B and one 5-B With Fixed System: two 5-B or one 20-B Fire Extinguisher Maintenance Keep them accessible Without Fixed System: two 5-B or Without Fixed System: three 5-B or 8 Check them annually Serviced every two years Make sure: Seals and tamper indicators are not broken or missing. Pressure gauges or indicators read in the operable range. There is no physical damage, corrosion, leakage, or clogged nozzles. Fire Extinguisher indicators Green button... press it in, if full, it will pop right back out Pressure Gauge...arrow pointed to full Replace if not full How to check for Gas vapors (Especially after fueling) Vessel: turn on power ventilation system Mufflers and Noise Level Limits PWC: open engine compartment and sniff Engine exhaust must be muffled It is unlawful to operate a vessel that exceeds a noise level of 90 dBA (Exceptions for sanctioned racing) 9 Light Requirements: Power-Driven Vessels Less than 65.6 Feet Red and green sidelights visible from a distance of at least two miles away—or if less than 39.4 feet (12 meters) long, at least one mile away—on a dark, clear night. An all-round white light (if less than 39.4 feet long) or both a masthead light and a sternlight. These lights must be visible from a distance of at least two miles away on a dark, clear night. The all-round white light (or the masthead light) must be at least 3.3 feet (one meter) higher than the sidelights. Light Requirements: Unpowered Vessels Less than 65.6 Feet Red and green sidelights visible from a distance of at least two miles away—or if less than 39.4 feet long, at least one mile away—on a dark, clear night. A sternlight visible from a distance of at least two miles away. Light Requirements: Unpowered Vessels Less than 23 Feet required for unpowered vessels less than 65.6 feet in length. If practical, exhibit the same lights as If not practical, have on hand at least one lantern or flashlight shining a white light as shown in Figure 3. Federally Controlled Water Great Lakes Territorial Seas Coastal Water Bodies of water connected to those Requirements to Carry Visual Distress Signals (VDSs) Vessels on federally controlled waters VDSs must be USCG-approved, in serviceable condition, and readily accessible. Pyrotechnic VDSs Pistol-launched and handheld parachute flares and meteors have many characteristics of a firearm and must be handled with caution. In some states, they are considered a f irearm and are prohibited from use. Pyrotechnic devices should be stored in a cool, dry, and prominently marked location. 10 If pyrotechnic VDSs are used, they must be dated. Expired VDSs may be carried on board, but a minimum of three unexpired VDSs must be carried in the vessel. three signals for day use and three signals for night use Non-pyrotechnic VDSs Orange Flag: Day Signal Arm signal Electric Light: Night Signal (must signal sos) Sound Devices on Vessels less than 39.4 feet (includes PWC) Must have some way of making an efficient sound signal. Examples are a handheld air horn, an athletic whistle, an installed horn, etc. A human voice is not acceptable. Sound Devices on Vessels that are 39.4 feet or more Must have a sound-producing device that can produce an efficient sound signal. The sound signal should be audible for one-half mile and should last for 4 to 6 seconds. Diver Down Flags Persons scuba diving, skin diving, snorkeling, or underwater spearfishing must display a diver-down flag to warn other boaters. Unless there is an emergency, a diver may not surface more than 25 feet from the flag. It is unlawful to display a diver-down flag when not diving. No person may operate a vessel within 50 feet of a diver-down flag. Use a DIVERS FLAG OR AN ALFA FLAG (if on federally controlled waters) 11 Ski Flag Orange Triangle Must be displayed if towing a person on water skis or other devices Flag must be displayed at least four feet above highest structure on vessel while towing Courtesy Equipment Inspection The USCG Auxiliary and U.S. Power Squadrons will perform a Vessel Safety Check (VSC) of your vessel and equipment free of charge. This inspection covers federal and state requirements. If your vessel meets all VSC requirements, you will receive a VSC decal. If your vessel fails to meet all requirements, no report is made to any law enforcement agency. Additional PWC Laws Must Face forward Can't use at night, when visibility sucks, in the Point Pleasant or Cape May canals Can't make it airborne within 100 feet of another vessel Can't be operated above "minimum headway speed within 100 feet of buoys, shoreline, a person in water, house Requirements to tow a person If using a PWC, it must fit three people. If doing water skis it must be recommended by the manufacturer Every person must have an approved life jacket Must have a driver, an observer, and a participant Tow ropes greater than 35 feet, less than 85 feet Must Display ski flag 12 Can't tow between sunset and sunrise must be 200 feet away from and structure or person in water must be 100 feet away from other vessel, shore, or mooring How to Dispose of Pollutants Don't put anything in the water stupid You must notify the National Response Center immediately if your vessel discharges oil or hazardous substances in the water. Call toll-free . . Discharge of Oil Placard. If boating on federally controlled waters and your vessel is 26 feet or longer, you must display a 5 × 8 inch placard made of durable material, fixed in a conspicuous place in the machinery spaces or at the bilge pump control station, stating the following: Aquatic Nuisance Species Non-native plants or animals that have come into an aquatic environment and have a harmful effect on that environment Don't transport them Prevent Spread of Nuisance Species animals you see before leaving the area. Inspect your vessel and trailer, and remove any plants and Drain your motor, live well, and bilge on land before leaving the area. Empty your bait bucket on land. Never release live bait into a body of water or release aquatic animals from one body of water into another. Rinse your vessel, propeller, trailer, and equipment. 13 Air-dry your vessel and equipment for as long as possible. What to do if involved in an accident accident and... Stop his or her vessel immediately at the scene of the Assist anyone injured or in danger from the accident, unless doing so would seriously endanger his or her own vessel or passengers and... Give, in writing, his or her name, address, and vessel identification (registration number) to anyone injured and to the owner of any property damaged by the accident. Reporting an Accident Both operators are required to file a full description of the accident with the New Jersey State Police, Marine Law Enforcement station in the area where the accident occurred if the accident involves: Death or disappearance of a person or... Injury to a person or... Property damage of more than $2,000. A boating accident that results in the death or disappearance of a person must be reported immediately. All other boating accidents that result in personal injury or more than $2,000 in property damage must be reported within 10 days. Who enforces Boating Laws New Jersey State Police officers USCG officers also patrol and have enforcement authority on federally controlled waters. 14 Stop boat if signaled Reach, Throw, Row, or Go Reach if someone falls in try talking them to safety extend a something for them to grab, if nothing available lie flat on dock Throw If too far away, throw a PFD Row Row to victim. If using a powerboat, stop the engine and glide to the victim from the downwind side. Go Swimmers without lifesaving training should not swim to a victim. Instead, GO for help. If you must swim, take along anything that floats to keep between you and the victim. If approaching a person in the water .... Whichever is stronger Use a fire extinguisher -pull the pin -aim at the base of the fire -squeeze the levers PASS -sweep back and forth over the fire approach from downwind, or against the current. 15