Boater Safety Law & Courses

It’s spring and the weather is slowly slowly warming, boating weather is coming!! With that in mind the CLA would like to remind the Cazenovia Lake community of changing requirements for having a boater safety certificate. 
 
New York’s new boating safety law called Brianna’s Law went into effect January 1st, 2020. The law is to be phased in over five years. By 2025 all operators of motorized craft regardless of age will be required to have taken a boater safety course. The only exception will be individuals over the age of 18 renting a boat. The livery, however, is responsible to review proper operation before renting. Persons under the age of 18 renting a boat are required to have a safety certificate.
 
The law previously required those born after May 1st, 1996 to have taken boater safety course. How does the phased in law work? Starting this year those born after Jan 1st, 1993 are required to have a certificate. In 2022 this will change to those born after Jan 1st 1988 and in 2023 Jan 1st 1983, 2024 Jan 1st 1978. 2025 all operators of motorized craft. 
 
The law does not change the requirements for jet skis. The operator must be at least 14 years old and hold a boater safety certificate. The law also does not change the minimum age to operate a motorized craft, which is 10 years of age.
 
There are in-classroom courses which are 8 hour in length available throughout the state but there are now many online courses.  www.parks.ny.gov is a great source to find these courses. 
 
If you have any questions please feel free to email us at info@cazlake.org.
 
Be safe out there!