New Boater Safety and Education Requirement
Boating Safety and Education Course
Participating in a recreational boating safety education course will teach you how to safely operate and maintain a boat and introduce you to Maine boating laws and resources. The State of Maine has accepted the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) educational standards that is recognized in all 50 states and 6 territories. The Boating Safety Education Course is available both online and in-person. Whether you attend an in-person course or opt for the online option the course duration is about 6 hours and covers the following subjects:
Knowing your boat
Before you get underway
Operating your boat
The legal requirements of boating
Boating emergencies
Environmental concerns
Enjoying watersports with your boat
Requirements
Beginning January 1, 2024, a person born on or after January 1, 1999, may not operate a motorboat of twenty-five (25) horsepower or greater for recreational boating purposes on inland waters of this State or territorial waters, unless that person is 12 years of age or older and has completed a boater safety and education course. These persons must possess and present a boater safety and education course certificate for inspection upon request to a law enforcement officer. There are a few exemptions, such as for registered Maine guides (hunting, fishing, and recreational guides only), commercial fishermen, daily boat renters, and merchant mariners, please see the frequently asked questions section of the IF&W website for more information.
Online Boating Education Courses
There are currently three vendors that provide Maine online boating education courses. Once you have successfully completed this self-paced online course you will immediately be issued a boater safety and education course certificate. The online courses are:
- BoatUS Foundation: This foundation is a nonprofit organization that champions boating safety. This is a free online course that requests a $10 donation.
- Boat-Ed: This online course costs $34.95.
- Boattests101: this online course costs $24.95.
In-person/Classroom Courses
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) volunteers throughout the state teach the in-person boating education course. Upon successfully completing and passing the final exam you will be issued a boating education certificate that is recognized in all 50 states and the 6 territories. Check our webpage periodically to find a course near you.
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary offers their Boat America in-person boating education course. This course meets the NASBLA standards and is approved to be taught in Maine. Simply enter your zip code to the search feature and select only the Boat America courses, the other courses they offer do not meet the NASBLA requirements. Upon successfully completing and passing the final exam you will be issued a Boating Safety and Education Certificate that is recognized in all 50 states and the 6 territories. Check here to find a course: USCGAUX: Public Boating Courses