New Jersey Boating Laws

• New Jersey Statutes, Title 12, Commerce and Navigation, Section 7-34.38 et. seq., Vessel Registration;
• New Jersey Statutes, Title 12, Commerce and Navigation, Section 7-46, Boating Under the Influence;
• New Jersey Statutes, Title 12, Commerce and Navigation, Section 7-34.46, Boater Responsibilities Following an Accident.

New Jersey boating laws have minimum age and boater safety education requirements as follow.

Age Requirements

• Those under the age of 16, but older than 13 who have completed an approved boating safety course may operate a vessel powered solely by an electric motor or a vessel 12 feet or longer with an engine of less than 10 horsepower (HP.)
• Those over the age of 16 who have completed a boating safety course may operate any power vessel and have a boating safety certificate.
• Those born before 1979 may operate any vehicle except personal watercraft. The operation of personal watercraft by these same people requires the completion of a boating safety course and a boating safety certificate.

Boating Safety Certificates are required by all persons wishing to operate a power vessel.

Non-Tidal Boat Licenses

Non-tidal boat licenses are also required in some circumstances. Those seeking to boat on non-tidal waters must bear a non-tidal boat license except for:

• Vessels with a motor of less than 1HP or a 12 volt electric motor;
• Vessels 12 feet or longer with less than 10HP;
• Competitors in races authorized and permitted by the Division of State Police;
• Out-of-state residents with written proof of completion of a course substantially similar to New Jersey's.

New Jersey boating laws prohibit the operation of a vessel while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs. An operator found to have a blood-alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 percent or more alcohol by weight is deemed to be intoxicated.

Enhanced penalties apply when an intoxicated operator:

• has a BAC of 0.10 percent or greater;
• is operating under the influence of a narcotic, hallucinogen, or habit producing drug;
• is under the age of 17; or
• has prior offenses.

An operator involved in an accident has an obligation to render assistance, as long as it doesn't put them or their passengers in serious danger. They are also obligated to provide their identifying information to anyone injured or whose property was damaged.

An accident that results in death, disappearance, injury to a person, or property damage must be reported to the Division of State Police by the vessel's operator. If death or disappearance of a person was involved this report must be made by the quickest means possible. Other qualifying accidents must be reported within 10 days.