Navigating Massachusetts Boating Laws: A Comprehensive Guide

It’s summer and if you have a boat or are considering getting a boat, it’s important to be aware of Massachusetts laws and regulations that govern watercraft operation to ensure safety for everyone involved. Let’s take a look at some of the key boating laws in Massachusetts, including minimum age restrictions, safety education requirements, mandatory safety equipment, and prohibited operations. Understanding these regulations will help boaters stay compliant and promote a safe and enjoyable boating experience.

Minimum Age Restrictions:
To operate a motorboat in Massachusetts, individuals must meet certain age requirements. Children under the age of 12 are not allowed to operate a motorboat unless accompanied and directly supervised by a competent person who is at least 18 years old. Additionally, the minimum age to operate a personal watercraft (PWC) is 16 years old, with no exceptions.

Safety Education Certification:
Youth between the ages of 12 and 15 must complete an approved basic boating course to operate a motorboat without adult supervision. Similarly, 16 and 17-year-old PWC users are also required to complete a boating course. Successful completion of these courses results in the issuance of a state “boating safety certificate.” Operators must carry this certificate while underway. It’s important to note that children under 16 years old are not permitted to operate PWCs.

Accident Reporting:
In the event of a boating accident involving personal injury, death, or property damage exceeding $500, the operator of the motorboat must immediately notify the MA Environmental Police. Furthermore, they must file an accident report within the specified time frame: two days for fatal accidents and five days for all other accidents.

Safety Equipment:
To ensure boater safety, Massachusetts has specific requirements regarding safety equipment. These include life preservers, fire extinguishers, signaling devices, visual distress signals, and navigation lights. Life preservers must be worn by children under 12 years old, PWC users, waterskiers, and canoeists/kayakers from September 15 to May 15. It is the responsibility of the boat owner or operator to ensure that passengers wear life preservers as required. Motorboats, excluding PWCs, must also be equipped with an anchor, manual bailer, line, and paddle or oar for boats under 16 feet in length. Motorboats towing skiers must have a boarding ladder. Additionally, all mechanically powered boats must be registered and numbered.

Prohibited Operations:
Certain types of operations are considered unsafe and are strictly prohibited under Massachusetts boating laws. These include:

1. Operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol or drugs, with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher.
2. Operating within 150 feet of a swimming area, whether public or private.
3. Operating at an excessive speed given weather conditions, boat traffic, and other hazards. Inland waters have a speed limit of 45 mph.
4. Operating a motorboat without properly working lights.
5. Operating a motorboat while towing waterskiers, tubers, etc., during nighttime hours.
6. Operating at a speed exceeding headway speed (6 mph or less) within 150 feet of a swimmer, waterskier, mooring area, marina, boat launch, or when visibility is compromised.
7. Operating in an overloaded condition or with passengers in unsafe areas, such as the bow, gunwales, or any place with a risk of falling overboard.

Personal Watercraft (PWC) Operation:
Personal watercraft, classified as motorboats by law, are subject to the same boating regulations and navigation rules as other motorized vessels. In addition to the general provisions mentioned above, PWC operators must adhere to specific regulations, including:

1. Wearing an approved life jacket (PFD) at all times for both the operator and passengers.
2. Attaching the safety lanyard to the operator and the cutoff/kill switch.
3. Operating at slow, no-wake speed (6 mph or less) within 150 feet of swimmers, shorelines, water-skiers, boat launches, rafts, floats, moored or docked boats.

Boating in Massachusetts offers incredible opportunities for recreation and enjoyment, but it’s crucial to understand and follow the state’s boating laws. By adhering to the minimum age requirements, completing safety education courses, equipping your vessel with the necessary safety equipment, and avoiding prohibited operations, you can ensure a safe and compliant boating experience. Remember, responsible boating not only protects you and your passengers but also promotes the preservation of our waterways for future generations.