With few exceptions, the newly signed Hanson-Milone Boater Safety Act will require everyone who is eligible to operate motorized boats to obtain certification by completing an approved safety course and passing a test before hitting the water.

The new law affects boaters of all experience levels.

Those born after Jan. 1, 1989, will need to complete a course and earn a safety certificate by April 1, 2026, though penalties for non-compliance will not be assessed until Sept. 1, 2026.

Meanwhile, boaters born on or before Jan. 1, 1989 will have until April 1, 2028 to get certified.

The legislation aligns the state’s boating regulations with U.S. Coast Guard safety standards, calling for operators to be aware of everything from navigation rules for safe maneuvering on the water and avoiding collisions, to emergency procedures, to environmental considerations that protect natural resources.

The MA Boating Safety Course is administered by the Environmental Police. The course is available in two formats: a full in-person format that runs approximately 10-12 hours in length, generally over the course of several days, or a fully online education course.

HPWA will be sponsoring an in person course in June at the Little Red School House. It will consist of four 3-hour sessions from 6-9pm on June 9,11,16 and 18. It will be offered free of charge. You must register at https://www.mass.gov/forms/mep-boating-safety-course-online-enrollment-form. You will need the class ID #, which has not been determined yet, to register for this particular class.

HPWA will send out an email to all our members and friends with a link to the MA.Gov online registration form and the class ID# when it is available. The class is limited to 20 participants so you will want to register as soon as it is posted.