March 10th, 2020 – Boating season is just around the corner. Now is a great time to take advantage of the Town of Islip’s Boater Safety Course available FREE to Town of Islip residents. The New York Safe Boating Course is an eight-hour, classroom based boating education program. The course is approved by the National Association of Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and is acceptable wherever boating education is required.
The scope of the program is to provide basic boating knowledge to all boaters at an introductory level. The course covers the basic principles of boater safety, vessel nomenclature, docking and getting underway, basic seamanship, rules of the road, basic operation and accidents and emergencies.
Register online by emailing: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please include your name, address, contact information and class date preference. Class is limited to 25 people. Open to anyone 10 years of age or older.
We want everyone to safely enjoy our waterways. This program was developed because there is clear evidence that boating safety education will reduce boating accidents. I am encouraging anyone interested in boating to take advantage of this important course,” said Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter.
The course will be offered on the following dates:
Saturday, March 21, 2020 *CANCELED*8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
401 Main Street, Islip, Room 201
Saturday, April 11, 2020
8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
401 Main Street, Islip, Room 201
All operators of motorized vessels and personal watercrafts will be required to obtain a boating safety certificate by 2025 under a new law known as Brianna’s Law. Phase in details can be found in the chart below:
| If you were born on or after: | You will need a boating safety certificate when operating a motorized vessel in: |
|---|---|
| January 1, 1993 | 2020 |
| January 1, 1988 | 2022 |
| January 1, 1983 | 2023 |
| January 1, 1978 | 2024 |
*All operators of motorized vessels, regardless of age, will need a boating safety certificate by January 1, 2025.*
A person is not required to take the New York Safe Boating Course if they hold at least one of the following valid certifications, licenses, memberships or status. Proof must be carried by the operator and produced upon request of a law enforcement or judicial officer:
- Safe boating instructor certification issued by OPRHP.
- Membership in good standing of the United States Power Squadron or a safe boating certification issued by the United States Power Squadron.
- Membership in good standing of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary or a safe boating certification issued by the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary.
- Valid public vessel license issued under section 64 of the Navigation Law.
- Valid operator’s license issued by the United States Coast Guard or the Canadian Coast Guard.
- Police officer, peace officer, firefighter, emergency rescue personnel or lifeguard acting within the scope of their official duties.
- Non-resident or New York resident who has received comparable safe boating instruction and is holding a valid comparable certificate issued by the state or country where they presently reside or recently resided.