|
BOATING CERTIFICATION AND REGISTRATION – CONNECTICUT
The following is excerpted from the Conn. Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) webpage “Boating Certification and Registration”
WHO MUST HAVE CERTIFICATION?: Recreational boaters using Connecticut’s waterways are required to have either a Safe Boating Certificate (SBC) or a Certificate of Personal Watercraft Operation (CPWO) to operate a boat in Connecticut. The Safe Boating Certificate permits the person to operate any recreational vessel registered in the state, EXCEPT for “jet-skis”. The Certificate of Personal Watercraft Operation permits the person to operate any recreational vessel registered in the state. There is no minimum age for getting either certificate. When operating a vessel, you must have your certificate on board at all times. Boaters between the ages 12 and 16 who were issued a CPWO on or before March 9, 2004 may operate a personal watercraft (a.k.a “Jet Ski”) by themselves. Boaters under age 16 who were issued a CPWO after March 9, 2004 may operate a personal watercraft ONLY if another person, who is at least 18 years old and has a CPWO with them, is providing onboard supervision while the personal watercraft is in use. All out of state boaters must be 16 to operate a personal watercraft by themselves. No boater under 12 years old can operate any motor boat or with more than 10 horsepower unless accompanied by a person at least 18 years old. Both persons must have either an SBC or a CPWO.
HOW TO GET A CERTIFICATE: To get a Safe Boating Certificate, you must successfully complete a DEP approved basic boating course OR receive a passing grade on an equivalency examination administered by the DEP. To get a Certificate of Personal Watercraft Operation, you must meet the requirements for a Safe Boating Certificate AND complete an approved Personal Watercraft Course. Applications are available at town/city clerk offices, at the DEP Boating Division, and the DEP website. Complete the application, have it notarized, and enclose a copy of your boating course diploma (and Personal Watercraft course diploma, if applicable) or equivalency exam diploma and a check for $25 made payable to DEP. You must mail or deliver the completed form to the address printed on the application form. The certificates are valid for life.
BOATING CLASSES
Schedules and contact numbers for Safe Boating Classes and Personal Watercraft Classes are listed on the DEP webpage "Safe Boating, Personal Watercraft and Canoe and Kayak Safety Class Schedules"
BOAT REGISTRATION
In Connecticut, all boats with motors regardless of length, and all sailboats powered by sail alone, 19 1/2 feet or longer in length, must be registered before launching. Boats must be registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Proof of ownership must be submitted when you register the boat. Once the application is processed, an identification number will be assigned to the boat and you will be issued a certificate of number/registration, along with two validation decals. The registration will be valid until April 30 of the following year. Connecticut vessel numbers stay with the boat as long as it is registered in the state. Jet-skis are treated as motor boats and must be registered.
TO FIND PROVIDERS IN CONNECTICUT’S COMMUNITY RESOURCES DATABASE:
SOURCE:Conn. Department of Environmental Protection, Boating Certification and Registration, Conn. Department of Motor Vehicles
PREPARED BY: 211/fj
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: June2008
|
